ERKEIEY  \ 

BRARY 

1IVERSITY  OF 
:AUFORNIA     ) 

EARTH 

SCIENCES 

LIBRARY 


II  • 
REPUiv 


ON  THE 


GEOLOGY, 

MINERALOGY,  BOTANY,  AND  ZOOLOGY 


OF 


MADE  AND  PUBLISHED  BY  ORDER  OP  THE  GOVERNMENT  OF 
THAT  STATE: 

IN  FOUR  PARTS: 

PART  I.  ECONOMICAL  GEOLOGY. 

PART  II.  TOPOGRAPHICAL  GEOLOGY. 

PART  III.  SCIENTIFIC  GEOLOGY. 

PART  IV.  CATALOGUES  OF  ANIMALS  AND  PLANTS. 

WITH    A  DESCRIPTIVE   LIST  OF  THE 

SPECIMENS  OF  ROCKS  AND  MINERALS  COLLECTED  FOR  THE 
GOVERNMENT. 

ILLUSTRATED  BY  NUMEROUS  WOOD  CUTS  AND  AN  ATLAS  OF  PLATES. 

BY    EDWARD   HITCHCOCK, 

Professor  of  Chemistry  and  Natural  History  in  Amherst  College. 


AMHERST: 

PRESS    OP    J.    S.    AND    C.    ADAMS. 

1833. 


LIBRARY 


Gift  of  C.  A.  Kofoid 


INTRODUCTORY  OR  HISTORICAL  NOTE. 


ON  the  3d  of  March  1830  the  Legislature  of  Massachusetts  passed 
a  Resolve,  authorizing  and  requesting  the  Governor  with  the  advice 
of  the  Council,  "to  appoint  a  Surveyor  well  skilled  in  astronomy  and 
in  the  art  of  surveying  upon  trigonometrical  principles — to  make  a 
general  Survey  of  the  Commonwealth,  and  from  such  astronomical  ob- 
servations and  calculations  as  may  be  made,  to  project  an  accurate 
skeleton  plan  of  the  State,  which  shall  exhibit  the  external  lines  there- 
of and  the  most  prominent  objects  within  those  lines  and  their  loca- 
tions." 

In  Governor  Lincoln's  Message  to  the  Legislature  May  29th, 
1830,  we  find  the  following  recomendation. 

"  I  beg  leave  to  suggest  to  your  consideration  the  utility  of  con- 
necting with  the  Geographical  Surveys,  an  examination  of  the  geo- 
logical features  of  the  State,  with  a  view  to  the  exhibition  of  them 
on  the  map.  Much  knowledge  of  the  natural  history  of  the  country 
would  thus  be  gained,  and  especially  the  presence  of  valuable  ores, 
with  the  localities  and  extent  of  quarries,  and  of  coal  and  lime  form- 
ations, objects  of  enquiry  so  essential  to  internal  improvements,  and 
the  advancement  of  domestic  prosperity,  would  be  discovered,  and  the 
possession  and  advantages  of  them  given  to  the  public.  I  am  assur- 
ed that  much  has  already  been  gratuitously  done,  by  some  eminent 
professors  in  our  colleges,  towards  the  accomplishment  of  such  a  work, 
and  that,  at  a  little  expense,  it  might  be  completed,  and  the  fruits  of 
their  generous  labors  thus  far,  be  secured  to  the  State.  This,  howev- 
er, will  require  the  interposition  of  your  authority  in  increasing  the 
present  appropriation,  and  permitting  an  application  of  it,  so  far  as 
may  be  necessary,  in  the  exercise  of  a  sound  discretion,  to  the  end  pro- 
posed." 

In  conformity  with  these  suggestions,  the  Legislature,  on  the  5th  of 
June,  1830,  "Resolved,  That  his  Excellency  the  Governor,  by  and  with 


IV  INTRODUCTION. 

the  advice  of  the  council,  be,  and  he  is  hereby  authorized  to  appoint 
some  suitable  person,  to  make  a  geological  examination  of  the  Com- 
monwealth, in  connection  with  the  general  survey,  in  order  that  the 
same  may  be  inserted  on  the  map  which  may  be  published,  &c." 

On  the  26th  of  June  1830,  Governor  Lincoln  issued  a  Commis- 
sion to  the  author  of  the  folio  wing  Report,  directing  him  "to  make  the 
geological  examination  of  this  Commonwealth,  in  the  manner  con- 
templated by  said  Resolve,  performing  such  duties  relating  thereto, 
as  are  or  may  be  enjoined  upon  you  ;  and  obeying  such  instructions 
as,  from  time  to  time,  you  may  receive  from  the  proper  authority." 

Febuary  2d  1831,  the  Legislature  gtill  further  authorized  His  Ex- 
cellency the  Governor,  'Ho  direct  the  person  who  is  appointed  to  make 
a  Geological  Survey  of  the  Commonwealth,  to  cause  to  be  annexed 
to  his  report  on  that  subject,  a  list  of  the  native  Mineralogical,  Botan- 
ical and  Zoological  productions  of  the  Commonwealth,  so  far  as  it  may 
be  practicable  to  ascertaian  the  same  within  the  limits  of  the  appro- 
priation already  made  for  this  Survey." 

The  first  part  of  the  following  Report  with  the  G  eo logical  Map, 
having  been  presented  to  the  Government  in  the  beginning  of  the 
year  1832,  it  was  ordered  to  be  printed  :  and  on  the  24th  of  March 
1 832,  the  Legislature  "  Resolved,  that  the  600  copies  of  the  first  part 
of  the  Report  on  the  Geological  Survey  of  the  Commonwealth,  pro- 
vided in  pursuance  of  an  arrangement  made  by  his  Excellency  the 
Governor  with  the  advice  of  Council,  for  the  use  of  Goverment,  be 
delivered  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Commonwealth,  and  by  him  be  dis- 
tibuted,  as  follows,  viz. 

Four  copies  to  the  Governor ; 

Two  copies  to  the  Lieut.  Governor  ; 

One  copy  to  each  member  of  the  Council ; 

One  copy  to  each  member  of  the  Senate  and  House  of  Represen- 
tatives ; 

Five  copies  to  be  deposited  in  the  Library  of  the  State; 

And  that  the  remaining  copies  be  distributed  as  His  Excellency 
the  Governor  may  direct." 

In  the  early  part  of  1833,  the  remaining  parts  of  the  following  Re- 
port were  submitted  in  an  unfinished  state  to  the  examination  of  the 
Committee  on  Education.  Notwithstanding  their  imperfect  state, 
however,  the  Legislature  on  the  25th  of  Febuary  adopted  the  follow- 
ing very  liberal  Resolves. 

"  Resolved,  that  his   Excellency  the   Governor,  be,  and   hereby  is 


INTRODUCTION. 


authorized  to  cause  twelve  hundred  copies  of  the  Report  on  the  Geo- 
logical Survey  of  the  Commonwealth;  including  that  part  of  the 
Report  already  made,  as  well  as  the  part  hereafter  to  be  made,  with 
the  drawings  which  shall  accompany  said  Report,  to  be  published  in 
such  way  and  manner  as  he  shall  deem  proper  and  expedient :  and 
he  is  authorized  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  Council,  to  draw  his 
warrant  upon  the  Treasurer  of  the  Commonwealth  for  such  sum,  or 
sums  as  may  be  necessary  to  carry  this  resolve  into  full  effect.5' 

"  Resolved,  that  the  said  twelve  hundred  copies,  when  published, 
shall  be  delivered  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Commonwealth,  to  be  distrib- 
uted in  the  following  manner,  Viz  : 

Twelve  copies  to  the  Governor  ; 

Six  copies  to  the  Lieut.  Governor  ; 

One  copy  to  each  member  of  the  Council,  Senate  and  House  of 
Representatives; 

One  copy  each  to  the  Secretary,  Treasurer,  and  to  each  of  the 
Clerks  and  Chaplains  of  the  two  Houses ; 

One  copy  to  each  town  in  the  Commonwealth; 

Five  copies  to  be  deposited  in  the  Library  of  the  State; 

Two  copies  each  to  Harvard,  Amherst  and  Williams  Colleges; 

One  copy  each  to  the  Theological  Seminaries  at  Andover  and 
Newton ; 

One  copy  to  each  incorporated  Academy  in  the  Commonwealth ; 

One  copy  each  to  the  Boston  and  Salem  Atheneums; 

One  copy  to  the  American  Academy  of  Arts  and  Sciences  ; 

One  copy  to  the  Antiquarian  Society  at  Worcester ; 

One  copy  to  the  Massachusetts  Historical  Society; 

One  copy  to  the  Boston  Society  of  Natural  History  : 

Twenty  copies  to  the  Geological  surveyor  ;  and 

One  copy  to  each  person  who  shall  have  aided  him  in  preparing 
the  Catalogues  appended  to  the  Report; 

Two  copies  to  the  Library  of  the  United  States  ; 

One  copy  to  the  Executive  of  each  State  in  the  Union, 

And  the  remaining, copies  to  be  disposed  of  in  such  a  manner  as 
His  Excellency  the  Governor  shall  direct." 


CONTENTS, 

PART  I.  ECONOMICAL  GEOLOGY. 

Explanatory  Remarks,        -  page  1 

Divisions  of  the  Report.  -    3 

Nature  of  Soils,  4 

Aluvium  considered  in  an  agricultural  point  of  view.  5 

Diluvium,                                     Do.  -      ti 

Tertiary  formations,     -         -     Do.     -  7 
New  Red  Sandstone,                   Do.                                            ^V       8 

Argillaceous  Slate  and  Graywacke,  Do-     -  9 

Iron  Ore,  Steatite,  Serpentine  Limestone,  &c,     Do.  -       10 
Quartz  Rock,  Talcose  Slate,  Mica  Slate,  Gneiss  &c,         Do.    -       11 

Greenstone  and  Porphyry,    Do.  12 

Sienite  and  granite,         -       Do.  -       13 

USEFUL    ROCKS    AND    MINERALS    IN    THE    STATE. 

Granite  and  Sienite,  13 

Gneiss,  18 

Greenstone,  Hornblende  Slate  and  Porphyry,  20 

Quartz  Rock,  -        22 

Mica  Slate,  Talcose  Slate  and  Limestone,  23 

Recent  discovery  of  Limestone  in  Bernardston,  -     27 

Berkshire  Marble,  28 

Serpentine,  29 

Steatite  or  Soapstone,  -      31 

Graywacke,  33 

Argillaceous  Slate,  Novaculite,  Roof  Slate,  34 

Graphic  Slate,  New  Red  Sandstone,  35 

Porcelain  Clay,  36 

Potter's  Clay,  -     37 
Clay  used  as  Fuller's  Earth,   for  the   manufacture  of  Alum,  and 

for  Manure :  Marl,  -        38 

Peat,                                                                                -  ,  39 

Granular  Quartz  used  for  the  Manufacture  of  Glass,  40 

Buhrstone  in  Washington,  -       41 

Coal:  Lignite,  Bituminous  Coal,  and  Anthracite,  42 

Graphite,  or  Black  Lead,        -  47 


CONTENTS.  Vll 


Substitute  for  Emery :  Tripoli  or  Rotten  Stone :  Native  Alum,  48 

Mineral  Waters  :  Sulphate  of  Baryta,  49 

Lithia,  Chalcedony,  Agates,  Jasper,  Beryls,  and  Cinnamon  Stone,  50 

METALS  AND  THEIR  ORES. 

Iron,  -  51 
Do.  in  Worcester,  and  in  Sterling  with  Zinc :  Chromate  of  Iron  in 

Cummington  and  Blanford,  -  52 

Iron  in  Hopkinton,  in  Hubbardston,  and  Hawley,  53 
Do.  in  Bernardston,  Somerset,  Vt.  and  Winchester,  N.  H.  and 

Cumberland,  R.  I.  -  54 

Do.  in  Montague  and  Maiden:  Hydrate  of  Iron,  -  -  55 
Brown  Oxide  of  Iron  in  Lenox,  Richmond,  West  Stockbridge, 

Salisbury,  Ct.  Bennington,  Vt.  and  Cranston,  R.  I.  -  -  56 

Bog  Ore,  57 

Ochres,  &c.  Lead,  in  Southampton,  -  58 

Lead  in  Northampton,  -  59 

Do.  in  West  Hampton,  Williamsburg,  Goshen,  and  Whately,  60 

Do.  in  Hatfield  and  Leverett,  -  61 

Copper  in  Greenfield,  62 

Zinc :  Manganese  in  Plainfield,  -  63 

Manganese  in  Conway,  Hindsdale,  and  Winchester,  N.  H. :  Tin,  64 

Silver :  Gold  in  Somerset,  Vt.  65 

Idle  Search  after  Gold  and  Silver,  -  68 

Foolish  Superstitions,  -  70 

Concluding  Remarks,  -'  -  -  71 

PART  II.  TOPOGRAPHICAL  GEOLOGY. 

Connection  between  Geology  and  Scenery,  73 

Saddle  Mountain,                            -         .       '.         _         _         _  74 

Mount  Washington,                  .,.__._  75 

Monument  Mountain,  Alum  Hill,  and  other  elevated  spots,  77 

Mount  Holyoke,                                 "  - .  .*         _                          _  7$ 

The  Columns,  -  '•-;  -  -  80 
Titan's  Pier:  Mount  Tom,  -  .  -SI 

Sugar  Loaf  Mountain  :  Deerfield  Mountain,             -             -  82 

Mount  Toby,  gg 

Wachusett:  Blue  Hills,             -             -             .             .             _  $4 

Heights  of  various  Elevations  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  State,  85 

Vallies  of  Berkshire,                                          .         _                  -  87 

Valley  of  the  Connecticut,                           -                           -  88 

Ravine  of  Westfield  River,                     -        ...        -  89 

Ravine  and  Gorge  of  Deerfield  River,  90 

Valley  of  Worcester,  91 
Valley  of  the  Merrimack :  Boston  Harbor  :  View  from  the  State 

House,                                                                                    .  92 

New  Bedford :  Narraganset  Bay,                                            -  94 


viii 


CONTENTS- 


Nahant :  Cape  Ann,  95 

Nantucket  Beach  :  Cape  Cod,  96 

Nantucket  and  Martha's  Vineyard,  98 

Gay  Head :  99 

South  Hadley  Falls  :  Shelburne  Falls,  101 

Spicket  Falls :  Falls  in  Fall  River  :  Pawtucket  Falls :  The  Gorge, 

alias  the  Glen,  -           -     102 

Cascade  in  Leverett :    do.  and  Natural  Bridge,   &c.  on  Hudson's 

Brook,  ,       103 

Canaan  Falls :  Southampton  Adit :  Sunderland  Cave  and  Fissure,  104 

Caverns  in  Berkshire,  -        105 

Purgatories,  -    106 

Autumnal  Scenery,  107 

Sketches  of  Scenery  in  Massachusetts,  108 

PART  HI.     SCIENTIFIC  GEOLOGY. 

Preliminary  Remarks,  111 

Names  and  Classification  of  Rocks,  112 

Additional  Explanations  of  the  Map,  113 

STRATIFIED  ROCKS- 

Alluvium  defined,  -      114 

Alluvium  of  Rivers,  115 

Coast  Alluvium :  Salt  Marsh  Alluvium,  116 

Submarine  Forests,  117 

Peat ;  its  origin,  -     118 

Marl :  Alluvium  of  Disintegration,  120 

Curious  Inscription  :  Alluvium  of  Degradation,  121 

Bog  Ore ;  its  mode  of  Production,  122 

Oxide  of  Manganese ;  an  alluvial  deposit,  -      123 
Power  of  Ice  in  removing  bowlders :    Encroachments  of  the  sea 

upon  the  coast,  -  '      124 

Boston  Harbor,  how  produced,  125 

Gain  of  the  Land  upon  the  Sea,  -       128 

Dunes  or  Downs,  130 

Valleys  of  Massachusetts  :  how  formed,  131 

Terraced  Valleys,  134 

Change  in  the  bed  of  Green  River,     -     -  136 

Ice  Floods,  139 

Valleys  of  Denudation  or  Excavation,  -       140 

Diluvium  defined,  141 

Its  situation  and  Extent  in  Massachusetts,  -       142 

Bowlders,  145 

Consolidated  Diluvium,  150 

First  Proof  of  a  southerly  movement  in  our  diluvium,  152 

Peculiarities  in  the  Diluvium  of  Berkshire  County,  156 

Second  Proof  (diluvial  grooves,)  of  a  southerly  current,  159 


CONTENTS.  IX 

Fluvial  Hypothesis,  154 

Epoch  of  the  last  Deluge,  -  165 

Diluvial  agency  in  other  parts  of  the  world,  166 

Mounds  in  the  Western  States,  -  -  168 

Stratification  of  Diluvium,  -  169 

Minerals  and  Organic  Remains  in  Diluvium,  -  -  171 

TERTIARY  FORMATIONS  denned,  172 

The  Most  Recent  Tertiary,  -  173 

Remarkable  Disturbances  in  its  Strata,  -  174 

Position  and  Thickness  of  its  Strata,  -  -  175 

Mineral  Contents,  178 

Organic  Remains,  -  -  182 

Theoretical  Considerations,  -  183 

Plastic  Clay ;  Its  Mineralogical  Characters,  -  -  184 

Mineral  Contents,  188 

Organic  Remains,  -  '**  •*-  191 

Dip,  Direction  and  Superposition  of  the  Strata,  196 

Plastic  Clay  in  Truro  and  Duxbury,  -  199 

Theoretical  Considerations,  -  '  202 
Supposed  Volcanic  Agency  at  Gay  Head  ;  Geological  Specula^ 

tions  of  the  Aborigines,  -  203 
RAW  RED  SANDSTONE  :  Proofs  of  its  existence  in  the  Connecticut 

Valley,  206 

Mineralogical  Characters  of  this  Rock,  -  209 

Topography  of  this  Formation,  216 

Dip,  Direction  and  Thickness  of  the  Strata,  -  -  219 

Mineral  Contents,  .  225 

Organic  Remains,  -  -  232 

Theoretical  Considerations,  241 
GRAYWACKE:  Whether  identical  with  that  in  Europe,  -  -  248 

Mineralogical  Characters,  -  251 

Topography  of  Graywacke,  -  268 

Dip,  Direction  and  Thickness  of  the  Strata,  -.''.  -  271 

Mineral  Contents :  Anthracite,  275 

Organic  Remains,  -  284 

Theoretical  Considerations,  -  285 
ARGILLACEOUS  SLATE  :  Its  definition  and  classification,  -  -  286 

Mineralogical  Characters,  287 

Its  Topography  -  288 

Dip,  Direction  and  Thickness  of  the  Strata,  289 

Mineral  Contents  :  Disturbances  in  its  Strata,  -  291 

Theoretical  Considerations.  -  294 

LIMESTONE  :  Encrinal  Limestone  of  Bernardston,  -  295 
Berkshire  Limestone  :  Discussion  concerning  its  position  and  age,  297 

Blanford  Limestone :  Micaceous  Limestone,  305 
Limestone  in  Whitingham,  Vt.  in  Bolton,  Boxborough,  Littleton, 

Acton,  Carlisle,  and  Chelmsford,  308 

Limestone  in  Smithfield,  R.  I.  311 
B 


X  CONTENTS. 

Limestone  in  Stoneham  and  Newbury,  -     312 

Origin  of  Limestone,  313 

SCAPOLITE  ROCK  :  Mineralogical  Characters,  -       314 

QUARTZ  ROCK  :  Order  of  superposition  in  the  older  rocks,  316 

Mineralogical  Characters  of  Quartz  Rock,              -  317 

Its  Topography,  -  ^  320 

Dip,  Direction,  and  Character  of  the  Strata,  322 

Mineral  Contents,  -     323 

Theory  of  Quartz  Rock,  -       324 

MICA  SLATE  :  Mineralogical  Characters,        •  32? 

Its  Topography,  -     331 

Its  Stratification,  with  the  Dip  and  Direction  of  the  Strata,  337 

Veins  of  Segregation  in  Mica  Slate,  341 

Mineral  Contents,                                                       -   •  342 

Theory  of  Mica  Slate,  349 

TALCOSE  SLATE  :  Its  Definition,  -     352 

Mineralogical  Characters,      -  353 

Its  Topography,  355 

Dip,  Direction,  and  Character  of  the  Strata,                -  358 

Mineral  Contents,                       -  359 

Theory  of  Talcose  Slate,       -  364 

SERPENTINE  :  Mineralogical  Characters,      -  365 

Topography,  Stratification,  and  Associated  Rocks,      -  366 
Mineral  Contents,                                 v  -             -           ;'.?*>         -     371 

Theory  of  Serpentine,                                  'ifftlfn  372 

HORBLENDE  SLATE  :  Dr.  Macculloch's  Views,  373 

Its  Mineralogical  Characters,'             -             -  374 

Its  Topography,  377 

Dip,  Direction,  &c.  of  the  Strata,       -  380 

Mineral  Contents  :  Theory  of  Hornblende  Slate,  -     381 

GNEISS  :  How  distinguished  from  Granite,     -  382 

Its  Mineralogical  Characters,                                      -  383 

Its  Topography,        -   ,  385 

Its  Stratification  :  Dip  and  Direction  of  the  Strata,  390 

Mineral  Contents,     -             -            -.             -             -  395 

Theory  of  Gneiss,  400 

UNSTRATIFIED  ROCKS. 

Modes  in  which  they  occur  and  their  theory,        -  403 

Manner  of  representing  them  on  the  Map,      -  -       404 

GREENSTONE  :   Its  Definition,  &c.      -                   -  -     404 

Its  Mineralogical  Characters,       .••<<-  j     -         -         -  -       405 

Its  Topography,  412 

Relative  Position  of  the  Greenstone  of  Massachusetts,     -  417 
Veins  of  Greenstone,                   -                                                -     „     425 

Chemical  effects  of  Greenstone  upon  other  rocks,  429 

Mineral  Contents, -  433 


CONTENTS.  XI 

Lincolnite,  437 

Theory  of  Greenstone,  -       439 

PORPHYRY  :  Its  definition,  442 

Its  Mineralogical  Characters,       -  443 

Its  Topography,  447 

Its  Geological  Position,  448 

Mineral  Contents,  -      449 

Theory  of  Porphyry,     -  450 

SIENITE  :  Its  definition,  -       451 

Its  Mineralogical  Characters,    -         -  452 

Its  Topography,     -  455 

Its  Pseudo-Stratification:  Veins  in  Sienite,  456 

Its  Geological  Position,  460 

Mineral  Contents,  461 

Theory  of  Sienite,  -     462 

GRANITE  :  Its  definition,  465 

Its  mineralogical  Characters,         -  -       466 

Its  Topography,  469 

Its  pseudo-Stratification  :  Phenomena  of  Veins  and    Protruding 

Masses  of  Granite,                                      -  473 

Mineral  Contents,                             -  -     501 

Theory  of  Granite,  509 

Theory  of  Central  Heat,       -  -      516 

Fluvial  Theory,  518 

MISCELLANEOUS    ITEMS. 

Origin  of  Metallic  Veins,  Beds,  &c.       -  520 

Direction  and  Dip  of  Metallic  Veins  and  Beds  in  Massachusetts,     521 

Elevation  of  Mountains  and  Systems  of  Strata  in  Massachusetts,  522 
Explanation  of  the  Sections  and  Map  of  the  Direction  of  Strata,  523 

Systems  of  Strata  of  cotemporaneous  Elevation  in  Massachusetts,    525 

Oldest  Meridional  System,           -  -         526 

The  Trap  System,         -  -       528 

The  Latest  Meridional  System,        •  -     530 

The  North  East  and  South  West  System,  -      531 

East  and  West  System,       -  534 

Northwest  and  Southeast  System,  -       535 

Ancient  Deluges,  -     537 

Theory  concerning  the  Force  by  which   Systems  of  Strata  were 

elevated  at  Successive  Epochs,     -  -     538 

Concluding  Remarks,                    -  539 

PART  IV.  CATALOGUES  OF  ANIMALS  AND  PLANTS. 

Introductory  Remarks,  -  -  543 
Catalogue  of  Mammalia  in  Massachusetts,  .  544 
of  Birds  in  do.  -  -  -  545 


X  CONTENTS. 

Catalogue  of  Reptiles  in  Massachusetts,  552 

of  Fishes  in                   do.  553 

of  Fishes  —  additional,  597 

of  Shells  on  the  Sea  Coast  of  do-      -  -     554 

of     do.     on  the  Land  and  in  Rivers  in  do.     -  -     557 

of    do.     on  and  near  the  Coast  of  New  England,  559 

of  Crustacea  in      do.  -     563 

of  Areneides  or  Spiders  in  the  United  States,  -        -     564 

of  Insects  in  Massachusetts,  566 

of  Radiata  in          do.        -  596 

— of  Plants  in           do.  -     599 

APPENDIX. 

Catalogue  of  Specimens  in  the  Government  Collection  of  Rocks 

and  Minerals,                                       -  653 

General  Index,           .            .            -            .  67» 


REPORT. 

PART  I. 

ECONOMICAL  GEOLOGY. 

To  His  EXCELLENCY  LEVI  LINCOLN,  ESQ. 

GOVERNOR  OF  MASSACHUSETTS. 

HAVING  in  a  good  measure  executed  the  commission  received  from 
your  Excellency,  bearing  date  June  25,  1830,  and  directing  me  to 
make  a  geological  examination  of  the  State ;  I  beg  leave  to  present 
you  with  the  first  part  of  my  Report. 

My  commission  contemplates  an  exhibition  of  the  different  rock  for- 
mations in  the  State,  ttpon  the  map  of  the  Commonwealth  now  in 
progress.  But  as  it  must  necessarily  be  a  period  of  considerable 
length  Before  that  work  can  be  completed,  I  have  constructed  a  small 
map  from  such  materials  as  already  exist,  and  delineated  upon  it  the 
various  kinds  of  rock  that  prevail  in  the  State.  These  are  shown  by 
different  colors  and  simple  markings,  easily  understood  by  reference 
to  the  tablets  on  the  lower  part  of  the  sheet. 

To  avoid  confusion,  I  have  placed  on  this  map  only  so  much  of 
topography  and  geography,  as  was  absolutely  necessary.  All  the 
mountains  and  smaller  rivers,  with  the  boundaries  of  the  towns,  have 
been  omitted ;  the  centre  of  each  town  being  indicated  by  a  small 
circle.  For  the  same  reason,  I  have  employed  only  six  different 
colors  to  mark  the  rocks  ;  although  more  than  twenty  kinds  are  rep- 
resented. But  these,  with  a  few  exceptions,  may  be  grouped  together, 
as  they  are  in  nature,  in  general  divisions ;  the  rocks  in  each  division 
being  so  intimately  related,  that  in  an  economical  point  of  view,  they 
may  be  regarded  as  varieties  ;  although,  in  a  scientific  point  of  view, 
their  differences  are  very  important  All  the  rocks  of  a  grqup  have 
a  common  color  on  the  map ;  and  the  different  sorts  are  delineated  by 
means  of  dots,  crosses,  circles,  &c.  In  short,  it  has  been  a  great  ob- 
ject with  me,  so  to  simplify  the  map  as  to  render  it  easily  intelligible  • 
1 


2  Economical  Geology. 

while  it  exhibits  all  that  is  important  to  the  practical  man,  as  well  as 
to  the  scientific  enquirer.  In  the  first  part  of  my  Report,  I  shall  ex- 
plain the  different  formations  on  the  map,  only  so  far  as  shall  be  ne- 
cessary in  illustrating  our  geology  with  reference  to  the  useful  arts ; 
reserving  the  most  important  scientific  remarks  to  a  subsequent  period. 

It  will  be  seen  that  I  have  extended  the  map  a  short  distance  into 
the  adjoining  states.  This  was  done  chiefly  with  a  view  to  exhibit 
certain  beds  of  ore,  or  other  interesting  minerals,  which  occur  just 
bevond  our  limits.  In  a  statistical  point  of  view,  these  are  nearly  as 
important  as  those  found  within  the  State ;  and  for  this  reason  I  shall 
notice  such  minerals  in  my  Report. 

In  laying  down  the  geology  of  the  eastern  part  of  Rhode  Island,  I 
have  been  much  assisted  by  the  communications  of  Col.  Joseph  G. 
Totten,  of  Newport.  In  the  geology  of  Berkshire,  I  have  been  greatly 
aided  by  the  geological  map  of  that  county,  published  a  few  years 
since  by  Professor  Dewey. 

It  has  been  my  intention  to  give  to  each  rock,  precisely  that  rela- 
tive extent  on  the  map,  which  it  occupies  on  the  earth's  surface.  To 
do  this  with  perfect  accuracy,  over  an  extent  of  more  than  seven  thou- 
sand square  miles,  would  be  an  almost  endless  task  :  especially  when 
we  recollect,  that  over  the  greater  part  of  the  surface,  the  rocks  are 
covered  by  loose  soil ;  so  that  in  some  instances,  no  rock  in  place 
shows  itself  to  the  traveller,  for  an  extent  of  thirty  or  forty  miles.  In 
such  cases,  indeed,  this  stratum  of  sand,  clay,  and  gravel,  has  been 
exhibited  on  the  map  under  the  name  of  diluvium.  Still,  under  the 
most  favorable  circumstances  for  observation,  the  effort  to  give  on  a  map 
the  exact  boundaries  of  each  particular  rock,  must  be  regarded  as  only 
an  approximation  to  the  truth.  Yet,  for  all  practical  purposes,  such 
approximation  answers  nearly  as  well  as  entire  accuracy.  If  I  have 
not  misunderstood  my  commission  and  instructions,  I  was  to  have 
principally  in  view,  in  my  examinations,  practical  utility  ;  not  neg- 
lecting, however,  interesting  geological  facts,  which  have  an  important 
bearing  upon  science.  Under  such  impressions  I  have  gone  over  the 
State  as  rapidly  as  seemed  to  me  consistent  with  the  accomplishment 
of  these  main  objects.  In  attempting  to  construct  such  a  map  as  is 
appended,  in  the  time  that  has  been  devoted  to  the  survey,  I  am  not 
without  fears  that  I  shall  be  thought  to  have  aimed  at  too  much  ;  or 
that  it  witt  be  supposed  little  dependence  can  be  placed  upon  it.  Had 
I  not  previously  become  acquainted  with  the  geology  of  nearly  one 
half  the  State,  from  my  own  observation,  or  the  published  accounts  of 


Division  of  the  Report.  3 

Professors  Dewey,  Webster,  and  the  Danas,  I  should  not  have  been 
able  to  accomplish  this  object,  with  any  confidence  in  the  correctness 
of  the  results.  And  as  it  is,  I  am  aware  that  the  map  may  need  sev- 
eral minor  alterations ;  though  I  feel  quite  confident  of  the  correctness 
of  its  leading  features.  To  obtain  such  corrections  before  the  comple- 
tion of  the  contemplated  map  of  the  State,  is  one  strong  inducement, 
thus  early,  to  present  this  Report,  and  the  accompanying  map.  For, 
should  the  Report  in  any  way  be  made  public,  I  shall  hope  that  gen- 
tlemen of  intelligence,  in  different  parts  of  the  State,  will  do  me  the 
favor  to  communicate  any  errors  or  omissions  which  they  may  no- 
tice. 

I  propose  to  divide  my  Report  into  four  parts.  The  first  part  will 
embrace  the  ECONOMICAL  GEOLOGY  of  the  State  ;  or  an  account  of 
our  rocks,  soils,  and  minerals,  that  may  be  applied  to  useful  purposes, 
and  thus  become  sources  of  pecuniary  profit. 

The  second  part  will  embrace  our  TOPOGRAPHICAL  GEOLOGY  ;  or 
an  account  of  the  most  interesting  features  of  our  scenery. 

The  third  part  will  consist  of  our  SCIENTIFIC  GEOLOGY  ;  or  an 
account  of  our  roeks  in  their  relation  to  science. 

The  fourth  part  will  consist  of  catalogues  "  of  the  native  minera- 
logical,  botanical,  and  zoological  productions  of  the  Commonwealth," 
so  far  as  they  can  be  obtained ;  agreeably  to  a  resolve  of  the  Legisla- 
ture, approved  by  your  Excellency,  February  2,  1831.  Several  gen- 
tlemen, distinguished  for  their  attainments  in  natural  history,  have  gen- 
erously offered  to  furnish  these  lists  in  those  branches  with  which  they 
are  most  familiar. 

To  illustrate  the  first  and  third  parts  of  the  Report,  I  have  in  ac- 
cordance with  directions  from  your  Excellency,  collected  specimens 
of  every  variety  of  rock  I  could  find  in  the  Commonwealth  ;  and  in 
all  cases  where  a  rock  is  quarried,  or  might  be  quarried  in  several 
places,  I  have  endeavored  to  obtain  specimens  from  each  locality.  I 
have  collected  likewise  all  the  ores  of  importance  found  in  the  State, 
as  well  as  the  other  simple  minerals,  which  could  be  obtained  without 
much  difficulty  or  delay.  I  did  not  suppose  that  my  instructions  au- 
thorized me  to  be  at  much  expense  and  trouble  in  procuring  every 
rare  mineral  that  has  been  described  as  occurring  in  the  State ;  al- 
though this  object  may  still  be  accomplished,  if  I  have  mistaken  the 
intentions  of  the  Government.  The  collection  which  I  have  made  for 
the  use  of  the  Government  contains  about  1 200  specimens.  I  do  not 
know  to  what  use  the  Government  intends  to  devote  this  collection. 


4  Economical  Geology. 

But  supposing  it  would  be  placed  in  some  public  situation,  in  order  to 
exhibit  to  the  citizens  the  geology  and  mineralogy  of  the  State,  I  have 
endeavored  to  obtain  from  all  the  important  quarries  and  beds,  whence 
stones  are  obtained  for  the  purpose  of  architecture  or  ornament,  spe- 
cimens which  would  fairly  exhibit  the  qualities  and  value  of  each. 
About  130  of  these  specimens  I  have  had  polished,  or  smoothed  and 
varnished,  in  order  to  bring  to  light  their  real  qualities. 

I  have  also,  in  accordance  with  my  instructions,  endeavored  to  col- 
lect all  the  important  varieties  of  rocks  and  minerals  in  the  State,  for 
the  use  of  each  of  the  colleges  in  the  Commonwealth :  though  the 
number  of  specimens  is  not  as  great  as  in  the  collection  for  govern- 
ment. 

In  presenting  a  view  of  our  economical  geology,  I  shall  first  make 
a  few  remarks  upon  the  different  soils  found  in  the  state,  as  connected 
with  the  rocks  over  which  they  lie,  And  since  it  is  an  acknowl- 
edged fact,  that  all  soils  had  their  origin  in  the  disintegration,  or  de- 
composition of  rocks,  it  might  seem  easy,  at  first  thought,  to  ascer- 
tain the  nature  of  the  soil,  if  we  know  the  integrant  and  constitu- 
ent parts  of  the  rock  underneath  it.  Thus,  in  a  soil  lying  above 
granite,  we  might  expect  that  siliceous  sand  would  be  the  predomi- 
nant ingredient ;  next,  clay  with  small  quantities  of  potash,  lime, 
magnesia  and  iron ;  because  these  are  the  constituents  of  granite.  But 
several  causes  so  modify  soils,  as  to  render  all  conclusions  of  this 
kind  extremely  uncertain.  In  the  first  place,  the  character  of  a  soil 
depends  more,  in  general,  upon  the  nature  and  amount  of  the  vege- 
table and  animal  matters  it  contains,  than  upon  the  nature  of  its  other 
ingredients.  And  in  the  second  place,  the  agency  of  running  water, 
not  merely  of  existing  streams,  but  of  mightier  currents,  to  which  the 
surface  has  been  exposed  in  early  times,  has  been  powerful  in  mod- 
ifying the  loose  coverings  of  the  rocks.  This  aqueous  agency  has 
often  covered  one  rock  with  the  spoils  of  another ;  and  sometimes 
mixed  together  the  worn  off  fragments  of  half  a  dozen,  and  accu- 
mulated them  in  immense  quantities  in  particular  districts.  These 
circumstances  have  rendered  the  subject  under  consideration  an  ex- 
tremely difficult  one ;  and  very  few  general  principles  have  yet  been 
settled  concerning  it.  Indeed,  so  far  as  I  know,  little  attention  has 
been  given  to  it  in  this,  or  other  countries.  Still,  there  is  such  a 
thing  as  peculiarity  of  soil,  occasioned  by  the  peculiarity  of  the  rock 
from  which  it  principally  proceeded.  I  shall  notice  any  peculiarities 
pf  thi§i  kind,  that  have  struck  me,  in  the  soils  of  Massachusetts ;  but 


Alluvium.  5 

I  shall  not  enjoy  the  advantage  of  comparison,  not  having  found  more 
than  one  or  two  observations  of  a  similar  kind,  made  on  the  eastern 
continent.  I  shall  begin  with  the  stratum  that  lies  above  every  oth- 
er :-— viz. 

Alluvium,. 

In  this  part  of  my  Report,  I  shall  not  enter  into  a  systematic  and 
minute  description  of  the  various  formations  represented  on  the  ac- 
companying map.  Such  description  belongs  more  appropriately  to 
the  scientific  part.  I  shall  here  describe  the  different  strata  only  so 
far  as  is  necessary  to  the  particular  purpose  I  have  in  view. 

Alluvium  is,  for  the  most  part,  that  fine  loamy  deposit,  which  is  year- 
ly forming  from  the  sediment  of  running  waters,  chiefly  by  the  inunda- 
tions of  rivers.  It  is  made  up,  of  course,  of  the  finest  and  richest  por- 
tions of  every  soil  over  which  the  waters  have  passed.  Hence  alluvial 
meadows  have  always  been  celebrated  for  their  fertility,  No  extensive 
alluvial  tracts  occur  in  Massachusetts  ;  although  limited  patches  of  this 
stratum  exist  not  unfrequently  along  the  banks  of  every  stream,  and 
with  the  adjoining  elevated  ground  covered  by  wood  and  pasture  con- 
stitute not  a  few  of  the  most  productive  farms  in  the  State.  Even 
where  Deerfield  river  winds  its  way  among  the  lofty  and  precipitous 
spurs  of  Hoosac  mountain,  which  crowd  so  close  upon  the  path  as 
almost  to  throw  it  into  the  shade  at  noon-day,  the  traveller  is  some- 
times agreeably  surprised  to  see  a  luxuriant  meadow  open  before  him, 
rewarding  the  labors  of  some  thrifty  farmer.  No  alluvial  tracts, 
however,  have  been  thought  of  sufficient  extent  to  deserve  a  place  on 
the  map,  except  one  or  two  salt  marshes  a  little  northeast  of  Boston, 
and  several  meadows  along  the  Connecticut,  Deerfield,  and  Housa- 
tonic.  Those  of  Longmeadow,  Springfield,  Northampton,  Hadley, 
Hatfield,  Deerfield,  and  Northfield,  have  long  been  celebrated  for  their 
unrivalled  exuberance  and  beauty.  Those  in  Great  Barrington,  Stock- 
bridge,  and  Sheffield,  are  scarcely  less  inviting. 

There  is  one  variety  of  alluvial  soil  in  this  State,  that  deserves 
more  attention  from  our  agriculturalists.  I  refer  to  those  numerous 
uncultivated  swamps,  which  have  for  ages  been  the  reservoirs  of  rich 
soil,  that  has  been  washed  thither  by  rains  and  brooks.  To  reclaim 
them,  does,  indeed,  require  not  a  little  labor  and  expense.  But  where 
the  effort  has  been  successful,  the  great  and  continued  exuberance  of 
these  spots,  has  astonished  and  amply  repaid  the  experimenter.  Even 
in  those  cases  where  they  cannot  be  reclaimed,  which  I  believe  to  be 


6  Economical  Geology. 

few,  they  ought  at  least  to  be  converted  into  manure,  and  spread  again 
over  those  higher  regions  around,  from  which,  by  slow  aqueous 
agency,  they  have  been  washed  away.  Very  many  of  the  most  bar- 
ren regions  in  the  State,  might,  by  this  means,  be  clothed  with  fertility 
and  plenty. 

Diluvium. 

This  occupies  more  of  the  surface  in  Massachusetts  than  any  other 
formation.  It  is  not  generally  distinguished  from  alluvium :  but  it  is 
usually  much  coarser,  being  made  up  commonly  of  large  pebbles,  or 
rounded  stones,  mixed  with  sand  and  fragments  of  every  size,  which 
are  often  piled  up  in  rounded  hills  to  a  considerable  height ;  and  un- 
der such  circumstances,  as  preclude  the  probability  that  it  could  have 
resulted  from  existing  streams.  Indeed,  it  is  spread  over  the  highest 
mountains,  wherever  it  could  find  a  lodgment,  and  appears  to  have 
resulted  from  -powerful  currents  of  water,  which,  in  early  times,  swept 
over  the  globe. 

In  a  scientific  point  of  view,  this  is  one  of  the  most  interesting  for- 
mations in  the  State  ;  and  in  the  proper  place,  I  shall  exhibit  several 
facts  respecting  its  relations  and  mode  of  occurrence.  But  in  an 
agricultural  point  of  view,  it  is  the  least  interesting  of  all  our  strata ; 
for  of  all  the  soils,  it  is  the  most  unfriendly  to  rich  vegetation.  And 
as  it  is  spread  in  a  good  measure  over  every  kind  of  rock,  it  often 
prevents  the  formation  of  a  good  soil,  from  the  decomposition  of  the 
rock.  It  is  in  general  easily  recognized  in  the  most  sterile  places,  in 
the  form  of  low  rounded  hills,  composed  almost  entirely  of  coarse 
p'ebbles,  or  cobble  stones,  and  sometimes  larger  rounded  masses  of 
rock,  called  bowlders,  mixed  with  coarse  sand,  and  covered  with  a 
stinted  vegetation.  It  was  evidently  deposited  by  currents  rushing  vi- 
olently over  the  surface ;  since  only  the  coarser  materials,  which  were 
driven  along,  were  left ;  while  the  finer  particles  were  kept  suspend- 
ed by  the  agitation  of  the  waters.  Some  varieties  of  this  diluvium 
may,  indeed,  be  converted  into  a  soil  of  tolerable  richness  by  manur- 
ing it  abundantly,  and  clearing  away  the  stones.  And  generally  too, 
the  rains  |hat  have  fallen  on  it  for  thousands  of  years,  have  conveyed 
its  finer  particles  to  the  bottom  of  the  vallies  and  cavities,  with  which 
this  formation  abounds,  and  these  being  mixed  with  much  vegetable 
decayed  matter,  a  soil  of  good  quality  is  formed.  So  that  within  the 
limits  of  this  formation  much  good  land  occurs.  But  these  fertile 
.spots  ought  perhaps  rather  to  be  denominated  alluvium  than  diluvium. 


.; 


Tertiary  Formations.  7 

Had  diluvium  been  represented  on  the  Map  wherever  it  occurs, 
scarcely  any  other  formation  could  have  been  exhibited.  I  have 
marked  the  region  as  diluvial,  only  where  it  occurs  in  such  quanti- 
ties, as  almost  entirely  to  conceal  every  other  stratum.  It  is  most 
abundant  in  the  south  east  part  of  the  State  ;  the  counties  of  Plym- 
outh, Barnstable,  Dukes,  and  Nantucket,  being  almost  entirely  over- 
spread by  it ;  so  that  in  the  three  latter  counties,  I  scarcely  found  any 
rocks  that  did  not  appear  to  have  been  broken  up  and  moved  from 
their  original  bed.  Towards  the  extremity  of  Cape  Cod,  this  stratum 
is  composed  almost  entirely  of  sand ;  which  often  constitutes  those 
hills  called  downs  or  dunes*  that  travel  inland  by  the  action  of  winds, 
and  do  great  mischief,  by  overrunning  fertile  spots ;  and  on  the  east- 
ern continent,  by  burying  even  villages  and  cities.  The  most  effec- 
tual remedy  that  nature  has  provided  against  these  encroachments, 
seems  to  be  Beach  Grass ; — (Arundo  arenaria,  Lin.  Psamma  are- 
naria,  Beauv.)  which  is  able,  not  only  to  fix  itself  on  the  most  barren 
ridge  of  sand,  but  also  in  time  to  fix  the  sand  itself. 

Diluvial  tracts  of  considerable  extent  exist  in  the  county  of  Nor- 
folk, in  the  Connecticut  valley,  and  along  the  western  base  of  Hoosac 
Mountain.  None  of  them  however  are  noticed  on  the  Map.  Most 
of  the  islands  in  Boston  Harbor  are  thus  colored ;  and  a  part  of  Mai- 
den and  Chelsea. 

Tertiary  Formations. 

The  only  difference  between  these  and  diluvium,  is,  that  in  diluvi- 
um, the  sand,  pebbles,  and  clay,  are  confusedly  mixed  together  ;  ex- 
hibiting only  an  imperfect  stratification ;  but  in  the  tertiary  formations, 
these  materials  are  arranged  in  regular,  and  generally  in  horizontal 
layers,  one  above  another,  and  appear  to  have  been  deposited  at 
earlier  epochs.  Hence,  When  the  sandy  stratum  happens  to  lie 
uppermost,  the  soil  will  be  too  sandy ;  but  if  this  be  worn  away, 
so  that  the  clay  lies  at  the  surface,  the  soil  will  be  too  argillaceous  ; 
or  if  the  gravel  stratum  be  exposed,  the  soil  cannot  be  distinguished 
from  diluvium.  Most  of  the  varieties  of  soil  thus  produced  may  be 
seen  in  the  valley  of  the  Connecticut ;  where  exists  the  most  extensive 
tertiary  formation  in  the  State ;  extending  nearly  to  Middletown  in 
Connecticut.  Upon  the  whole,  there  is  little  to  choose  in  an  agricul- 

*  Dunes  are  properly  alluvial  phenomena,  though  diluvial  sand  (as  in  the  case 
mentioned  in  the  text)  is  often  employed  in  their  production. 


8  Economical  Geology. 

tural  point  of  view,  between  those  tertiary  formations  that  occur  iri 
Massachusetts,  and  our  diluvium,  although  in  England,  some  of  these 
formations,  that  embrace  beds  of  loam  and  marl,  are  very  productive* 
But  it  is  doubtful  whether  more  than  one  of  our  tertiary  formations 
are  identical  with  any  in  Europe.  At  any  rate,  ours  contain  no  marl, 
and  very  little  loam ;  and  where  the  sand  is  uppermost,  much  of  the 
soil  corresponds  to  those  unimproved  and  unimprovable  tracts,  that 
occur  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  English  metropolis — composed 
of  what  is  locally  denominated  bagshot  sand.  Where  the  clay  pre- 
dominates, however,  cultivation  and  proper  manure  produce  a  valua- 
ble soil.  Of  this  description  are  the  small  tertiary  patches  on  the 
Map  in  the  vicinity  of  Boston.  There,  in  fact,  the  clay  near  the  sur- 
face appears  generally  to  have  been  disturbed,  and  to  be  a  kind  of 
loam  ;  and  it  is  doubtful  whether  they  ought  not  rather  to  have  been 
colored  as  diluvium,  than  as  tertiary.  It  ought  also  to  be  remarked, 
that  the  sandy  plains  along  Connecticut  river,  are  very  congenial  to 
the  growth  of  rye,  and  are  very  easy  to  cultivate. 

New  Red  Sandstone.  ji 

This  is  found  in  the  valley  of  the  Connecticut.  Although  com- 
posed of  numerous  varieties  of  rock,  the  prevailing  color  is  red ;  and 
the  reddest  varieties  are  most  liable  to  decomposition ;  viz.  a  red  slate 
and  a  red  sandstone.  No  rock  in  the  State  disintegrates  so  easily  as 
this  ;  nor  has  any  other  so  impressed  its  peculiar  characters  upon  the 
soil.  In  Long  Meadow,  Wilbraham,  Southwick,  West  Springfield, 
Easthampton,  and  Greenfield,  it  is  common  to  see  tracts  of  consider- 
able extent,  where  the  diluvium  and  tertiary  are  chiefly  swept  away, 
exhibiting  that  reddish  aspect,  which  in  England  is  so  characteristic 
of  soils  derived  from  this  formation.  The  Devonshire  butchers,  it  is 
said,  are  able  to  distinguish  the  sheep  raised  on  this  soil,  by  the  color 
of  their  fleece ;  and  many  local  names  in  that  country  originated 
from  the  same  circumstance  ;  such  as  Rougemont  Castle,  in  Exeter  ; 
Red  Hill  and  Redford,  in  Somersetshire ;  Red  Brook,  in  Gloucester- 
shire ;  Red  Mire,  Rotherham,  &c.  in  Yorkshire. 

The  new  red  sandstone  is  said  to  be  associated  with  some  of  the 
most  fertile  land  in  England ;  especially  that  variety  of  the  rock  de- 
nominated red  marl.  It  is  distinguished  for  the  excellence  of  its 
wheat,  barley,  beans,  and  cider.  The  sand  resulting  from  the  decom- 
position of  the  coarser  varieties  of  the  rock,  produces  most  of  the  rye 
grown  in  England.  In  that  country,  however,  this  formation  contains 


Clay,  State,  drtd  Graywacke.  9 

not  a  little  limestone,  either  in  beds,  or  impregnating  the  sandstone. 
But  in  Massachusetts,  the  lime  is  in  small  quantity :  and  hence  prob- 
ably it  affords  a  soil  inferior  to  that  produced  by  the  English  rock. 
Still,  with  us  its  soil  is  of  a  superior  quality.  Its  poorer  varieties  are 
excellent  for1  rye.  It  is  also  peculiarly  well  adapted  for  fruit.  The 
grass  grown  upon  it  is  of  a  superior  quality ;  and  it  affords  excellent 
pasture.  The  establishment  of  the.  Shakers  in  Enfield,  Ct,  exhibits 
a  favorable  example  of  the  productiveness  of  this  soil,  when  under  a 
good  cultivation.  The  black,  white,  and  red  oaks,  with  pignut  hick- 
ory, chesnut,  and  soft  maple,  (Acer  rubrum,)  are  the  forest  trees  most 
naturally  produced  upon  this  soil. 

Argillaceous  Slate  and  Graywacke. 

The  argillaceous  slate  in  the  vicinity  of  Boston,  is  intimately  con- 
nected with  the  graywacke,  and  may  perhaps  be  considered  as  a  vari- 
ety of  that  rock.  It  is  considerably  different  from  the  argillaceous 
slate  of  Worcester,  Franklin,  and  Berkshire  counties.  Every  vari- 
ety, however,  furnishes  by  decomposition,  a  dark  colored  soil,  which, 
although  somewhat  apt  to  be  cold,  is  capable  of  being  made  very  fer- 
tile. The  central  parts  of  Q,uincy,  exhibit  a  favorable  example  of  the 
soil  lying  above  this  rock.  The  range  in  Worcester  county,  is  almost 
eve'ry  where  overspread  with  diluvium,  and  in  Franklin  and  Berk- 
shire, this  rock  is  so  limited  iri  extent,  as  not  very  strikingly  to  de- 
velop the  peculiarities  of  its  superincumbent  soil.  Professor  Dewey, 
however,  says,  that  in  Berkshire  "  the  argillaceous  district  is  more 
fertile  and  productive  than  any  other  portion  of  the  section,  except  the 
alluvial." 

Numerous  varieties  of  rock,  both  in  colored  shale  or  slate,  contain- 
ing the  anthracite  coal  of  Rhode  Island,  to  the  coarse  conglomerate,- 
or  plum  pudding  stone,  of  Roxbury,  Dorchester,  Dighton,  Somerset, 
and  Swansey.  Most  of  these  varieties,  however,  appear  to  furnish  a 
Soil  of  good  quality,  and  sometimes  of  superior  fertility.  The  island 
of  Rhode  Island  exhibits  the  superiority  of  the  soil  of  this  formation, 
to  that  of  several  others  that  surround  it.  As  we  proceed  northerly, 
the  great  quantities  of  diluvium  spread  over  the  surface,  obliterate,  or 
greatly  modify  the  soil  peculiar  to  the  formation.  But  in  Dorchester, 
Roxbury,  Brooklin,  Brighton,  and  Newton,  it  is  exhibited  to  great  ad- 
vantage ;  presenting  the  finest  examples  of  exuberant  farms  and  gar- 
dens in  the  Commonwealth ;  although  we  must  not  forget  the  very 


10  Economical  Geology. 

superior  cultivation  that  has  been  bestowed  upon  that  part  of  the  State, 
Still,  such  luxuriance  as  we  there  witness — such  fine  fruit  especially 
— could  not  be  produced  without  a  soil  naturally  excellent. 

Iron  Ore. 

No  ore  except  iron  occurs  in  sufficient  quantity  in  the  State  to  de- 
serve notice  in  an  agricultural  point  of  view.  In  the  west  part  of 
Worcester  County,  the  soil  for  a  width  of  several  miles  across  the 
whole  State,  is  so  highly  impregnated  with  the  oxide  of  iron,  as  to 
receive  from  it  a  very  deep  tinge  of  what  is  called  iron  rust.  This  is 
particularly  the  case  in  the  low  grounds;  where  are  frequently  found 
beds  of  bog  ore.  I  do  not  know  very  definitely  the  effect  of  this  iron 
upon  vegetation ;  but  judging  from  the  general  excellence  of  the  farms 
in  the  Brookfields,  Sturbridge,  Hard  wick,  New  Braintree,  Barre, 
Hubbardston,  &c.,  I  should  presume  it  to  be  good.  Certainly  it  can- 
not be  injurious  ;  for  no  part  of  the  County  exceeds  the  towns  just 
named  in  the  appearance  of  its  farming  interest ;  and  nearly  all  the 
County,  as  may  be  seen  by  the  map,  is  of  one  formation.  It  would 
be  an  interesting  problem,  which  in  that  county  can  be  solved,  to 
determine  the  precise  influence  of  a  soil  highly  ferruginous  upon  veg- 
etation, 

Steatite,  Serpentine,  Scapolite  Rock,  Limestone. 

The  next  rocks,  in  an  ascending  order  upon  the  tablets  attached  to 
the  map,  are  steatite  or  soapstone,  serpentine  and  scapolite  rock. 
But  they  are  of  such  limited  extent  as  to  deserve  no  notice  in  this  con- 
nection. The  next  rock,  namely,  limestone,  is  found  only  in  Berk- 
shire County,  in  quantities  sufficient  to  modify  the  soil  over  much  ex- 
tent of  surface.  But  in  that  county  it  occupies  most  of  the  vallies ; 
while  the  mountains  are  chiefly  mica  slate.  And  the  fertility  of  these 
vallies  is  a  striking  evidence  of  the  good  influence  of  disintegrated 
and  decomposing  carbonate  of  lime  upon  the  soil.  Indeed,  I  believe 
that  it  is  generally  thought  in  Europe,  that  soils  of  this  description 
are  more  productive  than  any  other,  except  rich  alluvions.  And  I  ap- 
prehend that  one  of  the  greatest  deficiencies  in  the  soil  of  the  princi- 
pal part  of  Massachusetts,  is  the  absence  of  lime.  Probably  if  our 
farmers  could  procure  this  article  at  a  moderate  expense,  its  applica- 
tion as  a  manure  would  amply  reward  them  for  their  trouble.  Lime- 
stone that  contains  much  magnesia,  is,  indeed,  said  to  be  injurious  to 
vegetation,  unless  it;  be  upon  peaty  soil,  or  soil  containing  much  veg- 


Schiston  Rocks.  11 

etable  matter ;  and  this  limestone  is  common  in  Berkshire  County. 
But  it  occurs  there  in  beds,  alternating  with  the  pure  carbonate  of 
lime,  and  I  apprehend  rarely  produces  any  bad  effect. 

Quartz  Rock. 

It  will  be  seen  by  the  map  that  one  variety  of  this  rock  is  associ- 
ated with  mica  slate,  and  another  with  gneiss  ;  so  intimately,  indeed, 
that  its  agricultural  character  may  be  considered  the  same  as  that  of 
these  rocks.  When  it  occurs  in  the  state  of  pure  quartz,  it  is  so  lit- 
tle acted  upon  by  the  common  decomposing  agents,  such  as  air,  heat 
and  moisture,  as  to  exert  little  or  no  influence  upon  the  superincum- 
bent soil ;  except  in  the  town  of  Cheshire,  where  it  produces  a  pure 
white  sand. 

Chlorite  Slate,  Talcose  Slate,  Mica  SlaU. 

The  first  of  these  rocks  occupies  too  little  space  to  deserve  any  no- 
tice in  respect  to  the  soil  resulting  from  it.  The  second  is  in  general 
a  mere  variety  of  mica  slate,  talc  taking  the  place  of  mica,  or  being 
superadded  to  it.  Where  the  talcose  slate,  however,  is  most  pure,  so 
as  in  fact  to  be  little  else  but  slaty  tale,  with  more  or  less  quartz,  the 
soil  which  its  decomposition  produces,  is  decidedly  inferior  to  that  re- 
sulting from  mica  slate ;  and  probably  this  is  owing  to  the  large  quan- 
tity of  magnesia  which  talc  contains. 

Mica  slate  produces  a  soil  of  a  medium  quality.  Some  varieties  of 
it  underlie  tracts  of  superior  quality.  But  the  most  extensive  tract  of 
mica  slate  in  Massachusetts,  consists  of  the  high  and  mountainous  re- 
gion west  of  Connecticut  river :  so  that  it  is  difficult  to  compare  the 
soil  lying  over  it,  with  that  of  formations  at  a  lower  level.  The  deep 
ravines,  however,  so  common  in  the  mica  slate,  furnish  many  very 
fertile,  though  limited  patches  of  ground ;  while  the  mountain  sides 
are  very  superior  for  grazing. 

Hornblende  Slate,  Gneiss. 

•Gneiss,  which  differs  from  granite  only  in  having  a  slaty  structure, 
occupies  more  of  the  surface  of  the  State  than  any  other  rock.  It 
sometimes  takes  into  its  composition  the  black  mineral  called  horn- 
blende ;  even  losing  its  common  ingredients  :  and  then  it  is  denomin- 
ated Hornblende  Slate. 

The  soil  resulting  from  the  decomposition  of  gneiss  is  so  well  mark- 
ed, as  not  to  be  easily  mistaken  by  an  experienced  eye.  Its  predomi 


12  Economical  Geology. 

nant  ingredient  is  a  rather  fine  whitish  sand ;  and  sometimes  beds  of 
extremely  pure  sand  are  found  in  it ;  as  in  Pelham  and  Shutesbury. 
Indeed,  the  appearance  of  the  soil  from  gneiss,  indicates  uncommon 
poverty  and  sterility.  But  facts  do  not  correspond  to  this  anticipation ; 
for  in  no  part  of  the  State  do  we  find  finer  looking  farms,  or  the  ap- 
pearance of  more  thrift  and  independence  among  their  occupants,  than 
in  the  region  where  gneiss  prevails :  I  refer  chiefly  to  Worcester 
County,  most  of  which  is  based  on  this  rock.  The  western  part  of 
the  range,  however,  embracing  the  eastern  part  of  Franklin,  Hamp- 
shire and  Hamden  Counties,  is  in  general  characterized  by  a  rather 
barren  soil.  But  this  region  is  more  elevated  than  the  surface  farther 
east.  Where  it  is  not  so  high,  as  in  Monson  and  Brimfield,  we  find 
the  same  appearance  of  fertility  as  in  the  towns  farther  to  the  east. 
It  is  a  question  worthy  of  attention,  however,  how  far  the  soil  from 
our  gneiss-rock  may  owe  its  agricultural  character  to  the  iron  that  so 
generally  accompanies  this  rock.  Certainly  the  iron  gives  it  an  ap- 
pearance of  sterility  which  does  not  belong  to  it. 

Greenstone. 

This  is  one  of  the  varieties  of  rock  embraced  under  the  general 
term  trap  rock.  The  variety  most  common  in  Europe  is  basalt :  and 
the  soil  produced  by  its  decomposition  is  said  to  be  of  a  superior  qual- 
ity. The  greenstone  of  Massachusetts,  however,  except  some  of  its 
rarer  varieties,  is  but  little  acted  upon  by  ordinary  decomposing  and 
disintegrating  agents ;  and  is  proverbially  one  of  our  hardest  and 
most  indestructible  rocks.  Hence  the  soil  that  covers  it  is  generally 
quite  scanty.  It  is,  however,  very  peculiar  ;  and  we  find  upon  our 
greenstone  ridges,  quite  a  number  of  plants,  shrubs,  and  trees,  that 
are  not  found,  except  rarely,  upon  the  other  formations.  The  eastern 
part  of  the  County  of  Essex  is  in  a  great  measure  composed  of  green- 
stone ;  and  its  superior  agricultural  character,  in  general,  produces  a 
favorable  opinion  as  to  the  influence  of  this  rock  upon  the  soil,  thougji 
very  much  must  be  imputed  to  good  management.  This  formation  in 
the  Connecticut  valley  furnishes  but  little  arable  land,  and  that  of  rath- 
er a  sterile  character. 

Porphyry. 

This  rock  offers  but  little  interest  in  an  agricultural  point  of  view. 
It  is  of  quite  limited  extent  and  is  decidedly  the  hardest  and  most  un- 
yielding of  all  our  rocks.  It  occupies  the  greater  part  of  the  surface, 


Sienite  and  Granite.  13 

and  the  scanty  soil  that  has  formed  a  lodgment  in  its  inequalities,  is 
not  of  th£  first  rate  character. 

Sienite  and  Granite. 

Sienite  is  intermediate  in  its  characters  between  greenstone  and  gran- 
ite, although  most  commonly  it  is  only  a  variety  of  granite.  Both 
rocks  are  little  liable  to  decomposition,  and  occupy  a  large  porportion 
of  the  surface  with  their  naked  and  rugged  projections.  Still,  the  soil 
found  among  them,  particularly  on  the  granite,  is  generally  of  a  supe- 
rior character,  probably  from  the  fact  that  most  of  it  must  have  been 
derived  from  decomposed  vegetable  and  animal  matter.  Hence  it  is 
usually  of  a  dark  color  and  fine  texture,  and  not  coarse  and  sandy 
like  the  soil  above  the  granites  of  Europe,  that  more  easily  suffer  de- 
composition. 

Should  the  preceding  cursory  remarks  be  the  means  of  exciting  the 
attention  of  intelligent  agriculturists,  to  the  connexion  between  rocks 
and  soils,  an  important  object  will  be  attained.  I  have  said  enough  to 
show  that  almost  all  known  varieties  of  soil  exist  in  Massachusetts. 
But  much  improvement  remains  to  be  made  in  our  agricultural  con- 
cerns, before  the  excellencies  of  our  soil  are  fully  developed.  It  is 
but  a  moderate  estimate  to  say,  that  the  general  adoption  of  an  en- 
lightened system  of  cultivation,  would,  in  a  few  years,  double  the  pro- 
duce and  the  value  of  our  improvable  lands.  That  is  to  say,  such 
would  be  the  speedy  result,  if  all  our  farmers  were  to  manage  their 
lands  as  a  few  now  do. 


USEFUL  ROCKS  AND  MINERALS  IN  THE  STATE. 

I  shall  next  proceed  to  give  an  account  of  those  rocks  and  mineral 
substances  found  in  the  State,  which  have  been,  or  may  be  useful  in 
the  arts,  and  are  consequently  objects  of  pecuniary  importance.  Those 
that  are  employed  for  architectural  or  ornamental  purposes,  first  claim 
attention ;  because  the  state  is  peculiarly  rich  in  treasures  of  this  kind. 
It  will  be  easy  to  see,  by  a  reference  to  the  Map,  how  extensive  are 
the  formations  from  which  they  are  derived ;  although  it  must  not  be 
concluded  that  every  part  of  a  formation  will  furnish  materials  of 
equal  value  for  economical  purposes. 

Granite  and  Sienite. 
Much  confusion  has  arisen  in  the  application  of  these  terms.     They 


14  Economical  Geology. 

were  originally  applied  to  designate  rocks  very  different,  if  not  in 
composition,  yet  in  their  geological  relations.  But  most  of  the  rock 
that  is  generally  described  as  sienite,  is  a  variety  of  granite.  This  is 
certainly  the  case  in  Massachusetts.  Wherever  the  granite  admits 
hornblende  into  its  composition,  I  have  considered  it  as  sienite  ;  and 
not  unfrequently  the  hornblende  constitutes  the  principal  ingredient ; 
taking  the  place,  more  or  less,  of  the  quartz  and  mica,  so  as  to  form 
a  compound  of  hornblende  and  feldspar.  This  compound  forms 
some  of  the  most  beautiful  varieties  of  sienite,  though  extremely 
hard  to  work  for  architectural  purposes.  But  not  a  little  granite  that 
contains  no  hornblende  goes  by  the  name  of  sienite.  Thus,  much  of 
the  Gluincy  granite  is  wanting  in  hornblende  ;  but  being  almost  des- 
titute of  mica,  and  having  the  close  aspect  of  eienite,  it  is  called  in- 
differently by  either  name. 

The  variety  in  the  composition,  color  and  hardness  of  these  rocks 
in  Massachusetts,  is  almost  endless.  The  quartz  and  feldspar  are 
commonly  white,  yellowish  and  gray ;  the  latter  not  unfrequently 
flesh  colored :  the  mica  is  very  often  black,  but  sometimes  of  a  silver 
color.  When  the  quartz  prevails,  the  rock  is  easily  broken,  but 
hornblende  renders  it  tough.  The  predominance  of  feldspar  gener- 
ally gives  the  rock  a  more  lively  white  color  and  renders  it  rather 
easier  to  work.  But  I  shall  not  attempt  to  describe  particularly  all 
the  varieties  of  these  rocks  that  occur  in  the  State.  An  inspection  of 
the  specimens  which  I  have  collected,  will  at  once  give  an  idea  of  the 
kinds  obtained  at  the  principal  quarries,  and  of  numerous  other  vari- 
eties which  I  have  met  with  in  different  localities. 

The  very  coarse  varieties  of  granite,  which  are  found  in  some  parts 
of  the  State,  do  by  no  means  furnish  a  good  building  stone :  indeed, 
some  of  them  hardly  serve  for  common  walls.  Much  of  the  granite 
in  the  vicinity  of  Connecticut  river  is  of  this  description  ;  as  also  a 
considerable  portion  of  the  range  which  extends  from  Southborough 
to  Andover  ;  particularly  along  its  northwestern  limits.  But  most  of 
the  granite  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  State,  is  of  so  fine  a  texture,  as 
to  answer  admirably  for  architecture  and  other  economical  purposes. 
Along  with  sienite,  it  extends  around  Boston,  running  in  a  curvilinear 
direction  at  the  distance  of  fifteen  or  twenty  miles.  From  Cohasset 
to  Quincy,  at  the  southern  extremity  of  the  curve,  and  from  the  end 
of  Cape  Ann  to  Salem,  on  the  north,  the  formation  is  most  fully  de- 
veloped, and  is  there  quarried  extensively.  The  Gtuincy  quarries  are 
probably  the  best  and  most  generally  known  ;  and  few  citizens  of  the 


Granite.  13 

State  are  unacquainted  with  the  rock  thence  obtained,  now  so  exten- 
sively used  in  Boston  and  elsewhere.  The  quantities  which  those 
quarries  (or  rather  mountains)  will  furnish,  are  incalculably  great. 
One  railroad,  as  is  well  known,  has  been  used  for  several  years  ta 
convey  the  granite  from  the  quarry  to  Neponset  river,  a  distance  of 
three  miles.  It  is  thought,  however,  that  the  granite  has  not  reached 
its  minimum  price.  Yet  even  now,  Boston  is  almost  as  much  dis- 
tinguished for  its  granite  structures,  as  the  metropolis  of  the  Russian 
Empire. 

Some  of  the  granite  obtained  on  the  north  of  Boston,  cannot  be 
distinguished  from  that  of  Gluincy.  I  observed  the  resemblance  most 
strongly  in  Danvers  and  Lynn  field.  At  the  former  place  it  is  quar- 
ried, and  fine  blocks  are  obtained.  Extensive  quarries  are  also  open- 
ed in  the  north  side  of  Cape  Ann,  in  Gloucester.  The  rock  here  re- 
sembles that  of  Gluincy ;  but  it  is  generally  harder  and  of  a  lighter 
color.  At  these  quarries  no  railroad  (except  one  of  a  few  rods  in 
length)  is  necessary  to  transport  the  rock  to  the  sea-side ;  since  ves- 
sels can  approach  very  near  the  spot.  And,  since  the  demand  for 
this  rock  must  increase,  in  our  country,  for  many  years  to  come,  and 
Cape  Ann  is  little  else  than  a  vast  block  of  it,  it  seems  to  me  that  it 
must  be  regarded  as  a  substantial  treasure  to  that  part  of  the  State, — 
far  more  valuable  than  a  mine  of  the  precious  metals.  At  Squam,  in 
Gloucester,  I  was  informed  that  blocks  of  granite  had  sometimes  been 
split  out  sixty  feet  in  length  ;  indeed,  I  saw  the  face  of  a  ledge  from 
which  they  had  been  detached. 

At  Fall  river,  in  Troy,  which  lies  upon  Taunton  river,  are  other 
extensive  and  interesting  granite  quarries.  This  granite,  as  the  Map 
will  show,  is  connected  with  the  Gluincy  range  above  described. 
Yet  the  greater  part  of  the  granite  in  Plymouth  and  Bristol  is  coarser 
than  that  of  Gluincy  and  Gloucester,  and  more  liable  to  decomposition. 
But  no  rock  can  be  finer  for  architectural  purposes  than  the  granite 
of  Troy:  and  immense  quantities  have  been  obtained  from  this  local- 
ity. The  large  manufactories  at  Fall  river  are  built  of  it,  as  is  also 
Fort  Adams  at  Newport,  Rhode  Island.  The  feldspar  of  this  rock  is 
a  mixture  of  the  flesh  red  and  light  green  varieties ;  the  former  pre- 
dominating: the  quartz  is  light  gray,  and  the  mica,  usually  black. 
It  works  easily,  and  has  a  lighter  and  more  lively  appearance  than 
Gluincy  granite.  Blocks  of  this  granite  have  been  split  out  from 
fifty  to  sixty  feet  long,  as  the  sign-post  at  one  of  the  public  houses  at 
Fall  River,  will  attest :  it  consists  of  a  single  block.  The  contiguity 


16  Economical  Geology. 

of  this  granite  to  water  transportation,  will  always  render  it  pecul- 
iarly valuable. 

The  granite  range  extending  from  Cohasset  and  Quincy,  through 
Randolph,  Stoughton,  Foxborough,  &c.  into  Rhode  Island,  with  one 
interruption  by  graywacke,  affords  much  valuable  stone  for  architect- 
ural purposes  ;  and  it  is  wrought  more  or  less  in  every  town  through 
which  it  passes.  About  two  and  a  half  miles  to  the  west  of  Provi- 
dence, (R.  I.)  it  is  quarried;  and  thence  were  obtained  the  beautiful 
and  magnificent  pillars  in  front  of  the  Arcade  in  that  place. 

That  part  of  this  extensive  deposit  of  granite,  which  is  fully  devel- 
oped a  little  south-west  of  Dedham,  furinshes  some  beautiful  varieties 
of  stone.  No  better  example  can  be  referred  to,  than  the  elegant  pil- 
lars of  the  Court  House  in  Dedham.  This  granite  is  very  fine 
grained,  and  so  white,  that  at  a  short  distance  it  cannot  be  distinguished 
from  white  marble.  The  pillars  just  named  were  obtained  from  some 
large  bowlders  near"  the  dividing  line  between  Dover  and  Medfield. 

The  stone  used  in  Boston,  under  the  name  of  Chelmsford  granite, 
is  found  in  a  range  of  this  rock,  not  connected  with  the  deposit  that 
has  been  described  above.  Nor  does  it  come  from  Chelmsford  ;  tut 
from  Westford  and  Tyngsborough.  In  the  latter  place,  it  is  obtained 
chiefly  from  bowlder  stones  ;  but  ledges  are  quarried  in  Westford.  I 
do  not  know  why  it  has  been  called  Chelmsford  granite,  unless  from 
the  fact  that  large  quantities  are  carried  to  Lowell,  (formerly  a  part 
of  Chelmsford,)  to  be  wrought.  This  rock  is  pure  granite,  with  no 
hornblende ;  and  being  homogeneous  and  compact  in  its  texture,  it 
furnishes  an  elegant  stone.  Good  examples  of  it  may  be  seen  in  the 
pillars  of  the  United  States  Bank,  and  in  the  Market  House  in  Bos- 
ton. These  were  from  Westford. 

Four  miles  north  of  Lowell,  a  quarry  of  this  granite  has  been 
opened,  in  Pelharn,  (N.  H.)  Blocks  may  be  obtained  from  this  place 
of  any  length  under  thirty  feet.  It  is  a  very  fine  variety,  is  much 
used,  and  appears  superior  to  the  Chelmsford  granite. 

The  Westford  and  Pelham  granite  is  connected  with  an  im'perfect 
kind  of  mica  slate,  in  which  it  seems  to  form  beds,  or  large  protruding 
masses.  In  the  same  mica  slate  at  Fitchburg,  a  little  south  of  the 
tillage,  is  a  large  hill  of  the  same  kind  of  granite.  This  is  quarried 
though  not  extensively,  on  account  of  the  little  demand  for  the  stone. 
This  single  hill,  300  feet  high,  and  nearly  a  mile  in  circumference  at 
its  base,  might  furnish  enough  to  supply  the  whole  State  for  centuries. 
Some  of  it,  however,  is  too  coarse  for  architecture. 


Granite.  17 

The  manner  in  which  the  granite  is  usually  split  out  of  the  quarries 
is  this.  A  number  of  holes,  of  a  quadrangular  form,  a  little  more 
than  an  inch  wide,  and  two  or  three  inches  deep,  are  drilled  into  the 
rock,  at  intervals  of  a  few  inches,  in  the  direction  in  which  it  is  wish- 
ed to  separate  the  mass.  Iron  Wedges,  having  cases  of  sheet  iron, 
are  then  driven  at  the  same  time,  and  with  equal  force,  into  those  cav- 
ities ;  and  so  prodigious  is  the  power  thus  exerted,  that  masses  of  ten; 
twenty,  thirty,  and  even  fifty  and  sixty  feet  long,  and  sometimes  half 
as  many  wide,  are  separated.  These  may  be  subdivided  in  any  di- 
rection desired  ;  and  it  is  common  to  see  masses  thus  split,  till  their 
sides  are  less  than  a  foot  wide,  and  their  length  from  ten  to  twenty 
feet.  In  this  state  they  are  often  employed  as  posts  for  fences. 

Respecting  the  price  of  the  granite  from  the  quarries  that  have 
been  described,  I  have  not  been  able  to  obtain  much  information.  At 
Fitchburg,  I  was  told  that  it  was  sold  at  the  quarries,  well  dressed, 
at  forty  cents  the  superficial  foot ;  and  at  Squam,  at  forty-five  cents. 

The  cost  of  hammering  and  fine  dressing  granite  in  Boston,  in  the 
style  of  the  Tremont  House,  I  have  been  credibly  informed,  is  about 
thirty  cents  the  superficial  foot.  Ordinary  work,  however,  is  front 
twenty-five  to  thirty  cents;  and  not  unfrequently,  even  as  low  as 
twenty  cents. 

Concord  and  Hallowell  granite  costs  about  fifty  cents  per  foot  in 
Boston ;  but  are  now  little  used. 

Posts  for  store-fronts  cost  about  thirty  four  cents  per  foot  in  Bos- 
ton. The  columns  of  the  Hospital  were  obtained  for  about  one  dol- 
lar per  foot. 

To  show  how  rapidly  the  pride'  of  granite  has  fallen,  I  would 
state  on  the  authority  of  a  respectable  architect  in  Boston,  that  the 
cost  of  the  blocks  of  the  CJuincy  granite  for  the  Bunker  Hill  monu- 
ment, delivered  at  Charlestown  in  a  rough  state,  was  thirteen  cents, 
three  mills,  per  foot ;  and  the  cost  of  the  unhewn  stone  for  the  church 
built  last  year  in  Bowdoin  street,  Boston,  was  fifteen  cents  :  but  six 
years  before,  the  rough  duincy  granite,  for  the  United  States'  Branch 
Bank,  cost  two  dollars  per  foot. 

I  have  now  given  an  account  of  the  most  extensive  and  important 
quarries  of  granite  and  sienite,  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  State.  Gran- 
ite is  wrought  more  or  less,  however,  not  merely  in  all  the  towns 
through  which  its  ranges  pass,  but  also  in  other  places,  in  their  vi- 
cinity ;  large  blocks  of  it  having  been  removed  thither  by  diluvial 
action  in  former  times. 

3 


fS  Economical  Geology. 

Although,  the  granite  in  general,  in  the  vicinity  of  Connecticut 
river,  is  too  coarse  for  architectural  uses ;  yet  in  Hampshire  county 
are  several  beds  of  a  superior  quality.  Perhaps  the  best  is  found  in 
Williamsburgh,  a  few  miles  from  Northampton.  This  rock,  (some 
of  which  may  be  seen  in  the  front  of  a  few  buildings  in  Northamp- 
ton,) very  much  resembles  the  granite  found  in  the  vicinity  of  Ded- 
ham,  and  yields  in  beauty  and  value  to  none  in  the  State.  It  exists 
in  abundance  in  Northampton,  Whately,  and  Williamsburgh ;  but 
has  yet  been  quarried  only  on  a  very  limited  scale. 

On  the  east  side  of  the  Connecticut,  a  very  beautiful  sienitic  gra- 
nite exists  in  Belchertown ;  in  which  the  mica,  when  the  hornblende 
is  wanting,  is  very  black.  It  is  not  surpassed  in  elegance  by  any 
rock  in  the  State  ;  but  it  has  not  as  yetr  to  my  knowledge,  been  quar- 
ried at  all.  Indeed,  very  little  real  granite  is  employed  in  the  middle 
or  western  parts  of  the  State,,  except  in  a  rough  condition. 

Thi&  sketch  of  the  granite  of  Massachusetts,  although  brief,  is  suf- 
ficient to  show  that  we  have  a  great  number  of  varieties,  and  an  ex- 
haustless  quantity,  of  this  most  valuable  material  for  durable  and  ele- 
gant architecture.  Numerous  varieties  not  mentioned  above,  which 
have  fallen  under  my  observation,  either  in  ledges  or  loose  blocks, 
will  be  found  in  the  collection  of  specimens ;  and  some  of  these  are 
peculiarly  beautiful.  Numerous  other  varieties  have  doubtless  es- 
caped my  observation.  Indeed,  we  may  safely  assert,  that  no  part  of 
the  world  is  better  furnished  with  this  useful  and  indestructible  rock. 

Gneiss: 

This  rock  is  commonly  known  under  the  name  of  granite ;  and, 
indeed,  it  is  composed  of  the  same  materials  ;  but  in  the  gneiss,  the 
structure  of  the  rock  is  slaty,  and  it  splits  in  one  direction  better  than 
in  others ;  yet  this  slaty  structure  is  often  hardly  perceptible,  even 
in  wrought  specimens  ;  and  hence  for  all  architectural  and  economi- 
cal purposes,  the  distinction  between  granite  and  gneiss  is  of  small 
importance :  though  of  much  consequence  in  respect  to  the  science 
of  Geology. 

The  quarries  of  gneiss  in  Massachusetts  are  perhaps  even  more 
numerous  than  those  of  granite,  though  not  in  general  so  extensively 
wrought.  It  forms  an  admirable  building  stone  :  and  is  in  no  res- 
pect, that  I  know  of,  inferior  to  granite ;  while  the  facility  with  which 
it  cleaves  in  one  direction,  renders  it  easier  to  get  out  and  dress ;  so 
that  it  can  be  afforded  at  a  less  price.  Accordingly  we  find  that  a 


Gneiss.  i9 

large  proportion  of  the  better  -class  of  buildings  in  the  extensive  por- 
tion of  the  central  part  of  the  State  where  this  rock  prevails,  are  un- 
derpinned by  wrought  blocks  of  it.  Its  fissile  character  also  renders 
it  an  excellent  material  for  common  stone  walls  and  flagging  stones. 
The  same  property  enables  the  quarry-man  to  split  out  layers  of  it  of 
almost  any  size,  and  only  a  few  inches  in  thickness  ;  and  their  surface 
is  generally  so  even,  as  to  require  but  little  dressing.  Hence  it  is 
very  common  to  see  such  large  stones  of  this  description  in  front  of 
very  many  of  our  churches  and  other  public  buildings. 

In  Europe  gneiss  seems  to  have  been  applied  to  few  useful  pur- 
poses. One  of  the  latest  geological  writers  in  great  Britain,  says, 
that  "  this  schistose  (slaty)  body  serves  no  particular  purpose  in  the 
arts  of  life."*  Dr.  Maculloch  however  mentions  that  the  micaceous 
varieties  are  employed  in  building  and  sometimes  for  roofing,  f  This 
rock  appears  to  be  more  perfectly  developed  in  our  own  country  than 
in  Europe.  There  it  seems  chiefly -to  consist  of  the  granite  variety, 
or  of  that  variety  not  uncommon  here,  in  which  the  layers  are  so 
contorted  and  irregular  as  to  prevent  its  splitting  into  parallel  planes. 

The  western  part  of  Worcester  County,  and  the  eastern  parts  of 
Hampden,  Hampshire,  and  Franklin  Counties,  afford  the  best  quar- 
ries of  gneiss.  That  branch  of  the  Worcester  range  extending  into 
Middlesex  County,  and  the  range  in  Berkshire  County,  do  not  fur- 
nish so  good  specimens  for  architecture,  though  by  no  means  devoid 
of  interest  in  this  respect. 

The  quarries  of  gneiss  that  are  most  extensively  wrought,  and  fur- 
nish the  best  stone,  are  situated  in  the  following  towns  :  Wilbraham, 
Pelham,  Monson,  Montague,  Dudley,  Millbury,  Westborough,  Boyls- 
ton,  and  Uxbridge.  Much  of  the  stone  at  these  quarries  can  hardly 
be  distinguished  from  granite,  even  by  the  geologist.  The  Millbury 
gneiss,  for  instance,  is  very  much  used  in  Worcester,  and  does  not 
there  present  any  appearance  of  stratification,  and  very  little  of  a 
slaty  structure :  while  the  granite,  that  is  quarried  in  the  east  part  of 
Worcester,  is  distinctly  stratified ;  and  would  probably  be  called  gneiss 
by  most  persons,  rather  than  the  Millbury  rock. 

At  these  gneiss  quarries  it  is  easy  to  obtain  blocks  from  ten  to 
twenty  feet  long,  which  are  only  a  few  inches  thick.  At  Dudley,  I 
was  told  that  narrow  slabs  of  this  rock,  such  as  would  answer  for 
posts,  or  side  walks,  could  be  split  out,  and  delivered  in  the  centre  of 
the  town,  for  four  cents  per  foot. 

*  Ure's  Geology,  p.  100.          t  Maculloch's  System  of  Geology,  Vol.  2,  p.  15& 


20  Economical  Geology. 

Greenstone. 

This  is  one  of  the  most  enduring  of  all  rocks  ;  but  it  is  usually  so 
much  divided  by  irregular  seams,  into  small  and  shapeless  blocks 
that  it  is  but  little  employed,  either  in  the  construction  of  houses,  or 
walls.  Its  dark  color,  also,  renders  it  less  acceptable  than  granite  or 
limestome.  Still  it  is  beginning  to  be  used  for  building  houses,  in  its 
unaltered  state.  The  irregular  blocks  may  be  so  laid  with  white  mor- 
tar, especially  in  the  Gothic  style  of  building,  as  to  form  a  picturesque 
and  pleasing  structure.  The  Episcopal  Church,  in  the  city  of  New- 
Haven,  (Conn.)  presents  a  good  example  of  this  kind  of  architecture. 

Hornblend  Slate. 

I  do  not  recollect  to  have  seen  this  rock  employed  in  Massachu- 
setts for  any  useful  purpose,  except  for  the  construction  of  common 
stone  walls.  But  I  have  noticed  some  very  fine  samples  of  it  in  the 
flagging  of  the  side  walks  of  New  Haven,  obtained,  I  presume,  in 
Connecticut,  from  the  same  range  that  passes  through  Monson,  Ware, 
&c.  in  Massachusetts. 

Porphyry. 

This  term,  as  it  is  employed  in  the  arts,  embraces  several  varieties 
of  rock  not  designated  by  its  strict  geological  sense.  Although  upon 
the  Map,  I  have  included  in  the  term,  only  the  porphyry  of  ge- 
ologists, yet  in  this  place,  I  shall  describe  all  those  compounds  oc- 
curring among  us,  which  have  been  denominated  porphyry  in  the  arts. 

The  first  and  most  extensive  of  these,  is  the  genuine  feldspar  por- 
phyry, represented  on  the  Map  in  large  quantities  in  the  towns  of 
Medford,  Maiden,  Chelsea  and  Lynn,  on  the  north  of  Boston  ;  and  in 
Needham,  Milton  and  Braintree,  on  the  south.  This  is  the  oldest 
and  most  enduring  of  the  porphyries,  and,  indeed,  the  hardest  of  the 
rocks.  Its  basis  is  generally  compact  feldspar,  reduced  to  a  homo- 
geneous paste,  and  of  various  colors;  as  light  purple,  red  of  various 
shades,  brownish  black,  and  greenish  gray.  The  imbedded  crystals 
are  either  feldspar,  or  quartz,  alone,  or  existing  together  in  the  same 
rock ;  and  their  colors  are  very  various,  though  more  usually  white 
or  gray.  By  these  mixtures  porphyries  are  produced,  rivalling  in 
beauty  the  best  antique  porphyry.  This  rock  is  polished  with  so 
great  difficulty,  that  it  is  rarely  used  in  our  country,  either  for  orna- 
mental or  useful  purposes.  But  it  would  be  strange  if  an  increase  of 
and  refinement  should  not  create  some  demand  for  so  elegant 


Porphyry.  21 

and  enduring  a  rock.  Whenever  this  shaH  happen,  the  vicinity  of 
Boston  will  furnish  every  variety  than  can  be  desired,  and  in  blocks 
large  enough  for  any  purpose.  Quite  a  number  of  smoothed  or  pol- 
ished specimens  may  be  seen  in  the  collection. 

The  porphyry  range  on  the  north  of  Boston,  is  most  perfect  in  its 
characters,  and  in  the  greatest  abundance  at  any  one  place  ;  although 
the  southern  range  spreads  over  a  greater  extent  of  surface.  In 
Lynn,  and  some  other  towns,  I  have  observed  blocks  of  porphyry 
that  were  brecciated — that  is,  they  were  composed  of  angular  frag- 
ments of  porphyry  reunited.  This  furnishes  a  beautiful  variety  for 
polishing. 

•  .        Sienitic  Porphyry. 

When  sienite  contains  crystals  of  feldspar  imbedded  in  the  mass,  it 
is  said  to  be  porphyritic ;  and  some  varieties  of  this  rock  in  the  eastern 
part  of  the  State  are  very  elegant.  Essex  County  produces  some  of 
the  finest  specimens,  particularly  Cape  Ann.  Sometimes  the  imbed- 
ded crystals  of  feldspar,  are  white,  sometimes  flesh-colored,  and  in 
Gloucester,  I  found  a  rock  in  which  they  were  of  a  rich  bronze  color. 
These  sienitic  porphyries  are  extremely  elegant  when  polished  ;  but 
I  am  not  aware  that 'they  are  employed  at  all  for  ornamental  purposes, 
in  this  country. 

Porphyritic  Greenstone. 

The  ingredients  of  greenstone  are  often  not  easily  distinguished 
from  each  other  by  the  naked  eye ;  and  when,  in  such  a  case,  the 
rock  contains  disseminated  crystals  of  feldspar,  it  becomes  porphy- 
ritic. If  these  crystals  are  greenish  white,  and  the  base  blackish 
green,  the  rock  is  the  green  porphyry  of  the  ancients.  In  Dorches- 
ter, Brookline  and  Roxbury,  according  to  the  Messrs.  Danas,  it  oc- 
curs in  rounded  masses ;  and  in  small  quantity,  in  veins,  at  Marble- 
head.  But  I  have  found  it  in  large  veins,  traversing  sienite,  at  Sandy 
Bay,  on  the  north-east  side  of  Cape  Ann.  Large  blocks  might  be 
thence  obtained ;  and  if  polished,  it  would  constitute  a  truly  splendid 
ornament  for  the  interior  of  a  church,  or  a  private  dwelling. 

If  the  feldspar  crystals  be  black,  or  greyish  black,  the  rock  is  the 
superb  black  porphyry  of  the  ancients.  This  occurs  in  small  beds  and 
rolled  masses  in  Charlestown,  and  in  veins  of  greenstone,  at  Marble- 
head,  according  to  the  Messrs.  Danas :  but  I  have  not  met  with  it. 


22  Economieal  Geology. 

The  hornblende  slate*  in  various  parts  of  the  State,  but  particular- 
ly in  the  region  of  the  Connecticut  River,  is  frequently  porphyritic ; 
and  exceedingly  resembles  porphyritic  greenstone ;  being,  in  fact, 
composed  of  the  same  ingredients ;  and  differing  only  in  its  slaty 
structure,  and  in  the  more  distinctly  crystalline  character  of  the  horn- 
blende. The  disseminated  crystals  of  feldspar  are  usually  white.  In 
Canton  and  Easton,  they  are  sometimes  the  compact  variety,  yet  re- 
taining their  form  perfectly.  A  fine  variety  and  in  large  quantity  oc- 
curs in  Heath,  a  specimen  of  which  may  be  seen  in  the  collection. 

The  magnetic  iron  ore  in  Cumberland,  {R.  I.)  is  profusely  sprink- 
led with  crystals  of  feldspar  ;  and  would  doubtless  form  no  mean  sub- 
stitute for  green  or  black  porphyry. 

•, 

Quartz  Rock. 

When  this  rock  occurs  pure,  it  can  hardly  be  employed  in  archi- 
tecture of  any  kind,  on  account  of  its  breaking  into  fragments  so  ex- 
tremely irregular.  But  when  it  takes  a  small  proportion  of  mica  into 
its  composition ;  it  is  often  divided,  with  mathematical  precision,  into 
layers  of  convenient  thickness  for  building.  The  best  quarry  of  this 
kind  that  I  know  of,  is  in  the  west  part  of  Washington,  Berkshire 
County,  about  three  miles  south-east  of  Pittsfield  village.  The  lay- 
ers vary  in  thickness  from  one  or  two  inches,  to  one  or  two  feet; 
thus  affording  materials  for  fine  flagging  stone,  as  also  for  walls  and 
underpinning.  The  quantity  of  this  rock  at  the  quarry  is  very  great. 

Although  quartz  rock  is  usually,  of  all  others,  most  easily  affected 
,by  heat,  yet  that  variety  from  the  quarry  in  Washington,  is  remarka- 
ble for  its  power  of  resisting  heat ;  and  it  is  here  .employed  for  the 
hearths  and  walls  of  furnaces.  Prof.  Dewey  says  that  he  has  "  seen 
•this  stone  after  it  has  sustained  the  highest  heat  ,of  .the  furnace  for 
months,  and  found  its  surface  merely  glazed  by  the  high  tempera- 
ture." It  was  transported  to  the  iron  works  in  Bennington,  Vt.  until 
a  similar  rock  was  discovered  in  that  town.  It  occurs  also  in  Wil- 
liamstown.  What  peculiarity  this  rock  possesses,  that  renders  it  able 
to  resist  a  high  temperature,  I  do  not  know. 

Another  valuable  variety  of  quartz  rock  is  found  near  the  quarry 
.above  mentioned.  But  its  use,  as  well  as  that  of  another  variety  in 
Cheshire,  will  be  noticed  subsequently. 


Talcose  Slate.  2$ 

Mica  Slate. 

This  rock  is  generally  more  uneven  or  tortuous  in  the  structure  of 
its  layers,  than  any  rock  in  the  State.  But,  like  gneiss,  its  layers  are* 
sometimes  remarkable  for  their  regularity.  It  then  forms  an  admira- 
ble stone  for  flagging,  for  hearths,  and  for  situations  where  there  is 
an  exposure  to  a  moderate  degree  of  heat.  The  variety  that  occurs 
in  Goshen  and  Chesterfield,  Hampshire  County,  is  perhaps  the  best 
in  the  State  for  these  purposes  ;  and  in  these  places,  particularly  in 
Goshen,  it  is  quarried  to  a  considerable  extent.  In  some  cases  this 
rock  approaches  so  near  to  argillaceous,  or  roof:slate,  that  it  is  employ- 
ed for 'common  gravestones.  In  Halifax,  Vt,  there  is  a  quarry  of 
this  character  ;  and,  I  believe,  also  in  Chesterfield  Mass.  Sometimes 
it  forms  excellent  whetstones  ;  and  from  the  quarries  in  Enfield  and 
Norwich,  large  quantities  are  obtained  and  extensively  used. 

Talcose  Slate. 

The  principle  value  of  this  rock,  in  an  economical  point  of  view,  is 
derived  from  its  power  of  resisting  high  degrees  of  heat.  The  great- 
er the  proportion  of  talc  in  its  composition,  the  more  valuable  is  it  in 
this  respect.  A  very  fine  stone  of  this  description,  for  the  lining  of 
furnaces,  is  quarried  in  Stafford  Ct.,  and  it  is  employed  to  some  ex- 
tent in  the  furnaces  in  Massachusetts.  I  do  not  know  of  any  quarry 
of  this  kind  in  our  own  state ;  but  undoubtedly  such  might  be  opened,, 
since  almost  every  variety  of  talcose  slate  exists  here.  Indeed,  I 
am  informed  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Colton,  of  Amherst  Academy,  that  tal- 
cose slate,  equal  to  that  in  Stafford,  may  be  dug  in  Monson. 

In  Plainfield  and  Hawley  a  variety  of  talcose  slate  occurs,  in  which 
are  disseminated  numerous  crystals  of  black  hornblende.  The  talc 
is  green  and  the  quartz  white,  and  the  rock  admits  of  a  polish. 
Sometime  the  talc  almost  disappears  ;  and  then  we  have  a  white  base 
with  black  crystal  imbedded.  In  short,  I  feel  satisfied  that  this  rock 
would  form  a  beautiful  ornamental  stone,,  if  wrought  into  tables,  urns, 
chimney  pieces,  &c,  &c.  But  of  this  others  can  judge  from  the 
specimens  which  I  shall  place  in  the  collection  already  referred  to. 
Large  blocks  .of  it  may  be  obtained,  which  would  be  very  firm 
throughout. 

Limestone. 
Next  to  our  granite  and  gneiss,  this  is  the  most  valuable  rock  in 


24  Economical  Geology. 

the  State.  Little  advantage  is  derived  from  it  however,  by  any  paft 
of  the  State  except  Berkshire.  Small  beds  of  it  do,  indeed,  exist  in 
the  eastern  part  of  the  State ;  but  they  rarely  furnish  blocks  suffi- 
ciently large  and  sound,  to  be  wrought  into  marble.  And  on  account 
of  the  high  price  of  wood  in  the  vicinity  of  Boston,  it  cannot  be  burnt 
into  quick  lime,  so  as  to  be  afforded  at  a  less  price  than  the  lime 
brought  from  Maine.  In  many  places,  however,  it  continues  still  to 
be  burnt.  Judging  from  the  appearance  of  the  quarries,  I  should 
suppose  that  Bolton  furnishes  a  greater  quantity  of  lime  at  present, 
than  any  other  locality.  The  stone  here  is  mostly  crystalline,  and 
white,  although  it  is  apt  to  be  much  mixed,  as  it  is  at  every,  other 
locality  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  State,  with  a  variety  of  minerals-, 
that  much  injure  it  for  lime-  Beds  of  this  limestone  occur  at  New- 
bury,  Bolton,  Boxborough,  Acton,  Littleton,  Carlisle,  Chelmsford, 
and  Stoneham.  That  in  Stoneham  is  peculiarly  fine ;  and  could  large 
blocks  of  it  be  obtained,  free  from  fissures  and  foreign  minerals,  it 
would  undoubtedly  answer  well  for  statuary.  When  there  shall  be 
a  greater  demand  for  a  stone  of  this  description,  perhaps  a  farther  ex- 
ploration will  bring  to  light,  at  this  quarry,  many  larger  and  sounder 
pieces. 

On  the  south  of  Boston,  at  Walpole,  is  a  bed  of  limestone  of  a 
gray  color  and  probably  somewhat  impure.  It  would,  however, 
make  good  lime  ;  and  indeed,  it  was  burnt  in  considerable  quantity 
some  years  ago.  But  until  the  lime  from  Maine  and  Rhode  Island, 
shall  sell  at  a  higher  price,  this  cannot  be  profitably  prepared.  It 
must  be  gratifying,  however,  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  eastern  section 
of  the  State,  to  know  that  such  abundant  sources  of  this  valuable 
rock  are  within  their  reach,  should  their  present  means  of  supply  be 
cut  off 

The  limestone  quarries  in  Smithfield,  Rhode  Island,  are  so  situa- 
ted as  to  be  of  great  importance  to  Massachusetts,  being  accessible  to 
a  large  portion  of  the  southeastern  part  of  our  State,  and  lying  close 
to  the  Blackstone  canal.  The  limestone  here  is  white  and  granular ; 
very  much  resembling  that  in  the  towns  northwest  of  Boston, — espe- 
cially that  in  Stoneham.  It  occurs  in  two  principal  beds,  about  two 
miles  apart.  I  was  told  by  an  agent  of  one  of  the  companies,  which 
own  this  limestone,  that  not  far  from  twenty  thousand  casks  of  lime, 
containing  from  thirty  eight  to  forty  gallons  each,  and  worth  nearly 
two  dollars  each,  were  annually  prepared  in  the  whole  town. 

Several  beds  of  limestone  may  be  seen  on  the  Map  in  the  eastern 


Limestone.  25 

£art  of  tlie  range  of  mica  slate  in  Franklin  coufity,  west  side  of  the 
Connecticut,  in  the  towns  of  Whately,  Conway,  Ashfield,  Colerain* 
&c.  But  this  limestone  is  quite  impure^  and  is  not  generally  distin- 
guished, by  the  inhabitants  of  those  towns,  from  the  mica  slate.  It 
becomes  an  interesting  inquiry,  to  those  residing  in  the  valley  of  the 
Connecticut,  where  quick  lime  is  more  expensive  than  in  any  other 
part  of  the  State,  whether  this  stone  can  be  profitably  converted  into 
mortar.  Very  few  attempts  have  yet  been  made  to  burn  it,  and 
those  obviously  quite  unsatisfactory.  Those  who  rhade  these  attempts 
probably  thought  that  the  stone,  after  burning,  would  slack  with  as 
much  energy  and  readiness  as  pure  quick  lime ;  and  because  the 
process  went  on  slowly  and  feebly,  they  have  inferred  that  the  lime 
would  be  of  no  value.  At  least,  I  know  this  to  have  been  the  con- 
clusion in  one  instance,  in  which  I  had  procured  the  burning  of  a 
considerable  quantity  of  this  limestone,  in  a  regular  lime  kiln.  But 
the  mason,  no*  seeing  it  slack  briskly,  did  not  think  it  necessary  to 
apprize  me  of  what  he  was  doing,  and  mixed  it  with  other  lime,  and 
defeated  the  whole  experiment.  I  have,  however,  burnt  a  few  pounds 
of  this  stone  in  a  common  chemical  furnace,  and  found  it  to  form  a 
very  excellent  mortar  ;  although  requiring  less  sand  than  pure  lime. 
Bricks  cemented  with  it  two  of  three  years  since,  still  remain  as 
firmly  united  as  ever. 

This  limestone  contains  a  large  proportion  of  silex,  which,  on 
burning,  becomes  a  harsh  sand.  Wishing  to  know  how  much  of 
pure  carbonate  of  lime  was  contained  in  it,  I  powdered  and  dissolved 
portions  of  it,  from  different  localities,  in  muriatic  acid  ;  and  the  re- 
sults were  as  follows : 

1.  Purest  variety  from  Whately ;   100  parts  contain  carbonate  of 
lime  78  ;  residuum  (chiefly  sand)  22  parts. 

2.  Compact  variety  from   Conway ;    carbonate  of  lime  58  parts ; 
siliceous  residuum  42  parts. 

3.  Pooresyfrom  Whately ;  carbonate  of  lime  67  parts ;    siliceous 
residuum  33  parts. 

I  tried  some  specimens  of  our  best  limestones  in  the  same  manner, 
with  the  following  results  : 

1.  Gray  limestone  from  New  Marlborough  ;  carbonate  of  lime,  98 
parts  ;  residuum  (chiefly  mica)  2  parts. 

2.  Gray  limestone  from   Walpole:    carbonate  of   lime  92   parts; 
residuum  8  parts. 

4 


26>  Economical  Geology. 

3.  White  crystalline,  from  Boxborough ;  carbonate  of  lime,  99 
parts ;  residuum  1  part. 

It  is  my  decided  opinion  that  the  limestone,  described  above,  in  the 
primitive  region  of  the  Connecticut  valley,  may  be  usefully  employed 
either  for  mortar,  or  for  spreading  upon  the  soil.  The  beds  of  it  are 
quite  numerous  in  all  the  towns  where  they  are  occasionally  marked. 
I  think,  however,  that  the  best  variety  occurs  in  Whately,  where, 
should  it  ever  come  into  use,  on  the  north  line  of  the  town,  is  a  hill 
large  enough  to  supply  the  whole  valley  of  the  Connecticut  for  cen- 
turies. This  locality  is  favorably  situated  for  working,  so  as  to  fur- 
nish that  valley ;  being  not  more  than  two  or  three  miles  from  the 
Connecticut,  and  the  whole  distance  nearly  level  I  cannot  but  hope 
that  the  attention  of  some  enterprising  gentleman  may  be  directed  to 
this  subject ;  and  should  he  succeed  in  preparing  even  tolerable  lime 
from  this  rock,  he  would  confer  a  great  favor  upon  the  inhabitants  of 
that  section  of  the  State, 

A  large  portion  of  the  limestone  in  Berkshire  is  excellent  for  burn- 
ing into  quick  lime :  and  even  in  several  towns  where  none  of  the 
rock  occurs  in  ledges,  so  abundant  are  the  loose  masses,  transported 
thither  by  a  current  of  water  in  early  times,  that  it  is  burnt  in  consid- 
erable quantities.  This  is  the  case  in  Windsor,  Peru,  &e.r  from 
whence  lime  is  transported  in  wagons  to  the  valley  of  the  Connecti- 
cut. 

Probably,  however,  a  still  larger  proportion  of  the  lime  used  in 
tfiat  valley,  particularly  in  its  northern  part,  is  brought  from  Whit- 
ingham,  Vt,  a  town  lying  directly  north  of  Rowe  in  Franklin  coun- 
ty. This  limestone  is  white  and  crystalline,  and  it  exists  in  large 
quantities.  It  approaches  within  a  few  rods  of  the  Massachusetts 
line,  and  may  even  pass  over  it  in  some  places. 

Two  interesting  beds  of  limestone  of  a  peculiar  character,  have 
been  discovered,  within  a  few  years,  in  the  valley  of  the  Connecticut,, 
at  West  Springfield,  a  few  miles  south  of  Mount  Tom.  ^It  is  chiefly 
the  fetid  limestone,  though  mixed  with  various  impurities.  But  it 
answers  well,  and  that  too  on  account  of  its  impurity,  for  water  proof 
cement,  or  mortar  that  will  harden  under  water.  It  was  used  on  the 
Farmington  canal,  particularly  in  the  construction  of  the  aqueduct 
across  Westfield  river.  The  same  rock  occurs  at  Southington  and 
Middletown,  Ct.,  and  I  doubt  not  may  be  found  in  many  other  places, 
along  the  river,  associated  with  the  new  red  sand  stone.  I  am  not 
aware  that  fetid  limestone  has  ever  before  been  used  as  a  water  proof 


Limestone.  27 

cement.  In  Europe,  and  I  believe  in  New  York,  the  blue  argilla- 
ceous limestone  is  employed,  Pure  lime,  however,  will  answer  the 
purpose,  if  it  be  mixed  with  puzzolana  or  tarras.  The  former  of  these 
substances  is  decomposing  lava,  and  the  latter  decomposing  Basalt. 
I  doubt  not  but  that  decomposing  greenstone  will  answer  as  well ; 
and  if  so,  it  can  be  found  in  abundance  on  the  north  of  Boston,  and 
near  Connecticut  river,  particularly  in  Greenfield  and  Deerfield. 
Lava,  basalt,  and  greenstone,  are  so  much  alike,  that  I  think  the  lat- 
ter well  worth  a  trial.  Indeed,  if  I  recollect  aright,  the  experiment 
has  already  been  successfully  tried  in  New  Haven,  Ct. 

'As  the  Springfield  limestone  is  abundant,  it  would  be  very  desira- 
ble to  have  it  tried  upon  some  land  in  the  vicinity  :  for,  if  it  answers 
well  in  agriculture,  (and  I  see  no  reason  why  it  may  not,)  it  might 
prove  an  invaluable  acquisition  to  the  farming  interest  of  the  Con- 
necticut valley. 

Postscript. — Discovery  of  good  Limestone  in  the  Valley  of  the  Con- 
necticut. 

After  the  preceding  remarks  upon  the  limestones  of  Massachusetts 
were  written,  I  received  specimens,  through  the  kindness  of  Mr. 
Henry  W.  Cushman,  of  crystalline  carbonate  of  lime,  found  in  Ber- 
nardston,  near  the  center  of  the  town,  and  a  short  distance  from  the 
stage  road  from  Greenfield  to  Brattleborough,  Vt.  I  immediately 
visited  the  spot,  and  found,  indeed,  a  large  bed  of  limestone,  connected 
with  quartz  rock,  or  argillaceous  slate,  not  less  than  fifty  rods  long, 
and  three  or  four  rods  thick,  appearing  at  the  summit  of  a  hill,  and 
dipping  nearly  south  east  at  a  small  angle.  In  the  limestone  is  a 
large  bed  of  iron  ore,  which  was  dug  forty  or  fifty  years  since,  and 
with  the  limestone  sent  to  Winchester,  N.  H.,  to  be  smelted.  Neither 
the  limestone,  nor  the  iron  have  been  thought  worthy  of  attention 
since.*  But  a  kiln  of  the  former  has  recently  been  burnt,  and  found 
to  produce  a  very  strong  lime,  although  of  a  rather  darker  color  than 
the  white  limestones  generally  produce.  This  results  from  a  quan- 
tity of  the  hydrate  of  iron,  which  penetrates  the  seams  of  the  rock  : 
but  this  does  not  injure  the  stone  for  mortar,  and  probably  even  makes 

*  April  1833.  Large  quantities  of  the  limestone  have  since  been  burnt,  and  it 
is  getting  into  use  extensively.  If  more  kilns  were  in  operation,  probably  there 
would  be  a  demand  for  the  products.  I  am  informed  also  that  an  effort  is  now- 
making  by  an  intelligent  gentleman,  to  smelt  the  iron  ore. 


28  Economical  Geology. 

it  more  valuable.  The  bed  is  only  three  or  four  miles  from  the  Con- 
necticut, and  on  the  bank  of  Fall  River,  a  small  stream  that  empties 
into  the  Connecticut.  By  going-  to  Cheapside,  in  Deerfield,  (eight 
miles,)  over  a  level  and  excellent  road,  water  communication  with  the 
whole  valley  of  the  Connecticut,  will  be  reached.  I  have  little 
doubt,  that  if  this  limestone  should  be  extensively  burnt,  it  will  re- 
duce the  value  of  quick  lime  in  that  valley,  from  twenty  five  to  fifty 
per  cent. :  a  benefit  superior  to  any  that  could  be  conferred  by  the 
discovery  of  a  gold  or  silver  mine. 

I  dissolved  some  of  this  lime,  in  diluted  nitric  acid,  to  see  if  it  con- 
tained magnesia.  The  solution  was  not  milky,  and  therefore  no 
magnesia  was  present.  I  also  dissolved  100  grains  in  muriatic  acid, 
and  the  siliceous  residuum  was  only  a  single  grain  :  the  99  grains 
are  probably  chiefly  carbonate  of  lime  ;  although  whatever  amount 
of  oxide  of  iron  was  present,  would  also  be  dissolved.* 

Marble. 

The  limestone  of  Berkshire  is  best  known  for  the  fine  marble 
which  it  produces.  It  is  all  of  that  variety  denominated  primitive 
marble.  It  is  always  more  or  less  crystalline,  sometimes  very  coarse- 
ly so.  The  prevailing  color  is  white  •  and  this  is  the  variety  most 
extensively  wrought.  Some  varieties  are  snow  white,  and  admit  of  a 
very  fine  polish.  From  this  pure  white,  the  color  changes  by  imper- 
ceptible gradations  to  gray,  and  dove  color.  These  varieties  form 
delicate  marbles.  But  probably  most  persons  would  say  that  the 
clouded  variety,  where  the  white  and  the  gray  are  fantastically  mix* 
ed,  i§  mos,t  elegant. 

More  or  less  marble  is  quarried  in  almost  every  town  of  Berkshire 
county,  except  a  few  on  its  eastern  side.  But  the  towns  where  it  is 
most  extensively  wrought  are  West  Stockbridge,  Lanesborough,  New 
Ashford,  Sheffield,  New  Marlborough  and  Adams.  A  few  years 
since,  Prof.  Dewey  stated  the  amount  of  marble  annually  furnished 
by  West  Stockbridge,  to  be  sixteen  thousand  square  feet,  valued  at 
$25,000  to  $30,000 :  the  amount  at  Lanesborough,  seven  thousand 
feet;  value  $10,000 :  and  in  Sheffield,  to  the  value  of  $8,000.  In 
all  the  county,  the  annual  value  of  marble  was  estimated  to  be  more 

*  Still  mpre  recently  a  bed  of  crystalline  limestone  has  been  found  in  the  north- 
past  part  of  Blandford,  which  will  be  described  in  the  third  part  of  my  Report.  I' 
believe  t,hat  as  yet  no  attempt  has  been  made  to  burn  this  rock  into  quicklime. 


Serpentine.  29 

than  $40,000.  Still  more  recently  there  were  in  operation  in  West 
Stockbridge,  for  sawing  marble,  nine  mills,  moved  by  water  power  ; 
and  two  hundred  hands  were  employed.  From  twelve  to  fifteen 
quarries  had  been  opened,  and  in  1827,  about  two  thousand  seven 
hundred  tons  of  marble  were  exported  from  this  town.  The  marble 
used  in  building  the  city  hall  in  New  York  city  wras  chiefly  from  this 
town,  A  part  of  the  marble  in  the  state  house  in  Boston,  wras  from 
the  same  place.  In  1828,  a  charge  of  two  hundred  and  four  pounds 
of  powder,  was  put  into  the  rock  in  one  of  the  West  Stockbridge 
quarries,  and  a  block  from  fifty  to  sixty  feet  square  and  eight  feet 
thick,  was  raised ;  and  as  much  more  loosened. 

The  Lanesborough  marble  is  of  a  superior  quality,  and  a  good 
sample  of  it  may  be  seen  in  the  capital  at  Albany.  The  New  Ash- 
ford  quarries  furnish  a  marble  of  the  same  kind ;  and  several  quar- 
ries are  opened.  Only  one  mill  is  there  erected  for  sawing  it  into 
slabs.  A  mill  of  the  same  kind  is  in  operation  in  Lenox,  and  anoth- 
er at  New  Marlboro  ugh.  In  Sheffield,  three  quarries  are  opened. 
In  Alford,  two.  In  Egremont,  a  bed  of  marble  limestone  extends 
nearly  through  the  town. 

There  can  be  no  doubt  that  greater  facilities  for  the  transportation 
of  the  Berkshire  marble — such  as  a  rail  road  to  the  Hudson — would 
greatly  increase  the  demand  for  it,  by  reducing  its  price.  Such  fa-* 
cilities  will  undoubtedly  be  provided  at  some  future  time.  For  as  a, 
country  grows  older,  and  increases  in  wealth  and  refinement,  its  val^ 
uable  and  ornamental  minerals  and  rocks  will  be  more  sought  after 
and  used.  The  inhabitants  of  Berkshire  cannot,  therefore,  but  re-- 
gard  their  inexhaustable  deposits  of  marble  and  common  limestone, 
as  a  rich  treasure  to  themselves,  and  an  invaluable  legacy  to  their 
posterity. 

The  limestone  of  Smithfield,  R.  I.  and  of  Stoneham,  in  this  state, 
bears  a  close  resemblance  to  that  which  produces  the  celebrated  Ca^ 
rara  marble  of  Italy.  But  as  yet,  few  blocks  have  been  obtained  at 
either  of  these  localities,  large  enough  and  free  enough  from  fissures, 
to  be  used  for  statuary. 

Serpentine. 

In  richness  and  variety  of  colors,  this  rock  exceeds  all  others  ;  an4 
is,  therefore  eminently  suited  for  ornamental  sculpture  and  architec^ 
ture.  The  prevailing  color  is  green,  of  different  shades,  spotted  or 
clouded,  or  veined  with  other  colors  ;  and  hence  its  name,  from  its 


30  Economical  Geology. 

spotted  and  striped  appearance,  bearing  a  resemblance  to  the  skins  of 
some  serpents.  In  hardness,  it  varies  very  much ;  being  in  some  in- 
stances very  hard,  and  in  others  as  easily  wrought  as  marble. 

This  rock  exists  in  Massachusetts  in  great  abundance,  particularly 
in  the  Alpine  part  of  the  State,  or  in  the  Hoosac  mountain  range. 
The  most  extensive  bed  occurs  in  Middlefield  in  the  southern  part  of 
the  town.  This  bed  cannot  be  less  than  a  quarter  of  a  mile  in 
breadth  and  two  miles  long.  The  colors  of  the  rock  are  various, 
and  its  hardness  unequal.  If  wrought,  it  might  supply  the  whole 
world.  It  yields  both  the  precious  and  common  varieties.  There  is 
another  bed  in  the  same  town,  associated  with  steatite  or  soapstone. 
In  the  west  part  of  Westfield  is  found  another  extensive  bed  of  this 
rock,  extending  into  Russell,  of  a  much  darker  color,  and  containing 
green  talc.  This  has  been  used  in  a  few  instances  for  ornamental 
architecture,  and  has  a  rich  appearance  when  wrought.  Three  beds 
of  serpentine  are  found  in  Blandford,  and  another  in  Pelham,  in  the 
south  west  part  of  the  town.  The  color  of  this  last  is  quite  dark,  and 
the  quantity  of  the  talc  is  considerably  large.  A  large  bed  occurs 
in  connection  with  soap-stone,  on  the  north  side  of  Deerfield  river,  in 
Zoar,  near  the  turnpike  from  Greenfield  to  Williamstown.  Speci- 
mens from  this  place  resemble  those  from  the  celebrated  localities  of 
this  rock  at  Zobiltz,  in  Saxony.  Serpentine  also  exists  at  Windsor 
in  two  beds :  and  there  is  an  immense  bed  of  it  in  Marlboro  ugh,  in 
the  lower  part  of  Vermont,  as  also  in  several  other  towns  in  that 
vicinity. 

The  only  locality  of  this  rock  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  state,  that 
I  know  of,  is  in  Newbury,  two  and  a  half  miles  south  of  Newbury- 
port,  near  the  Boston  turnpike,  at  an  abandoned  lime  quarry.  The 
precious,  or  noble  serpentine  is  found  here  very  beautiful,  and  very 
much  resembling  that  of  Cornwall  in  England.  No  serpentine  in 
the  state  will  compare  in  beauty  with  this ;  but  perhaps  if  the  other 
beds  were  explored  by  blasting,  they  would  put  on  a  different  aspect. 
Serpentine  also  exists  at  Newport,  R.  I.,  of  a  dark  color  and  com- 
pact texture. 

Serpentine  and  limestone,  irregularly  mixed,  form  the  noted  Verd 
Antique  marble.  Such  a  mixture  occurs  at  Becket,  according  to 
Prof.  Dewey,  in  a  bed  of  gneiss.  The  limestone  is  also  sometimes 
mingled  with  the  serpentine  at  Newbury  and  at  Westfield.  I  cannot 
see  why  these  varieties  are  not  Verd  Antique,  though  I  would  not 
decide  very  confidently.  At  New  Haven  and  Milford,  Ct.,  extensive 


Steatite,  or  Soapstone.  3  i 

quarries  of  Verd  Antique  marble  have  been  opened.     It  is  the  Ophi- 
calce  grenue,  of  Brongniart. 

Considering  the  extent  and  variety  of  serpentine  in  Massachusetts, 
it  seems  not  a  little  surprising  that  no  efforts,  or  next  to  none,  have 
been  made  to  use  it  for  ornamental  or  architectural  purposes.  In 
Europe,  it  is  employed  for  trinkets,  vases,  boxes,  chimney  pieces,  and 
even  columns  of  large  size.  In  Spain,  it  is  said  that  churches  and 
palaces  abound  with  columns  of  this  description.  If  ever  the  ser- 
pentine of  Massachusetts  shall  be  extensively  wrought,  I  doubt  not 
that  specimens  will  be  obtained,  rivalling  the  finest  varieties  of  Eu- 
rope. It  is  not  at  present  easy  to  obtain  hand  specimens,  that  shall 
give  a  fair  representation  of  this  rock,  because  it  is  injured  to  a  con- 
siderable depth,  from  the  surface  exposure. 

Steatite,  or  Soapstone. 

This  is  the  softest  of  all  the  rocks  employed  in  architecture.  This 
property,  rendering  it  easy  to  be  sawed  or  cut  without  injuring  an 
edge  tool,  and  its  greasy  or  soapy  feel,  are  such  striking  characteris- 
tics of  this  rock,  that  most  people  are  acquainted  with  it.  It  is  some- 
times called  potstone,  and  sometimes  in  this  country,  freestone. 

Next  to  the  ease  with  which  it  may  be  wrought,  its  great  power  in- 
resisting  heat,  is  the  most  valuable  property  of  this  rock.  Hence  it 
is  extensively  Employed  for  fire  places  and  furnaces. 

It  is  also  turned  into  crucibles  and  small  furnaces  for  culinary  use. 
Inkstands  are  made  of  it  in  great  numbers,  and  various  other  articles. 
As  it  hardens  in  the  fire,  it  is  used  in  Europe  for  imitating  engraved 
gems.  It  has  been  employed  in  various  countries  as  a  substitute  for 
soap  and  fuller's  earth.  Spanish  and  French  chalk  are  varieties  of 
steatite.  Savage  nations  are  said  to  mitigate  hunger  by  eating  this 
soft  mineral ;  as  however  it  contains  nothing  alimentary,  it  can  act 
only  as  a  palliative  of  hunger.*  Those  varieties  that  are  most  in- 
fusible are  employed  in  England  extensively  in  the  manufacture  of 
porcelain. 

Steatite,  like  serpentine,  usually  occurs  in  beds  of  no  great  extent. 
They  are  numerous  in  Massachusetts,  and  very  commonly  they  are 
associated  with  serpentine,  or  in  the  vicinity  of  it.  This  is  the  case 
in  the  north-east  part  of  Middlefield,  where  one  of  the  finest  beds  of 
it,  in  our  State,  is  found ;  although  it  contains  small  masses  of  bitter 

*  Sec  Brongniart's  Mineralogy. 


32  Economical  Geology. 

spar,  which  renders  it  less  easy  to  work.  But  this  quarry  has  been 
explored  more  extensively  than  any  other  in  the  state  ;  and  the  blocks 
transported  to  Northampton,  and  even  to  Boston.  In  Windsor  are 
not  less  than  three  beds  of  this  rock,  from  which  the  New  Lebanon 
Shakers  obtain  it,  for  converting  into  inkstands.  I  was  told  that  a  bed 
of  it  exists,  in  Cheshire.  Another  occurs  in  Savoy;  one  in  Hins- 
dale  ;  one  also  in  Blandford,  which  is  wrought  and  produces  an  ex- 
cellent stone.  Two  beds  occur  in  Granville,  which  I  have  not  visi- 
ted. Another  is  opened  in  Zoar,  where  are  two  distinct  varieties, 
one  nearly  white,  another  of  a  deep  green.  In  Rowe  is  another 
quarry,  where  these  two  varieties  are  equally  distinct.  At  the  two 
last  named  localities,  however,  the  rock  is  distinctly  green  and  white 
talc ;  and  indeed,  the  two  minerals  (talc  and  steatite)  are  probably  in 
every  case  identical. 

On  the  east  side  of  the  Connecticut  river  are  several  beds  of  this 
rock,  more  or  less  quarried  in  every  instance ;  but  in  general  not  ex- 
plored deep  enough  to  develop  the  rock  in  its  unaltered  character  • 
for  the  air  and  moisture  generally  affect  it  for  several  feet  deep.  In 
the  south  part  of  Shutesbury  is  one  bed  ;  in  the  southwest  part  of 
Wendell  another  \  and  two  miles  east  of  the  centre  of  New  Salem, 
a  third.  The  quality  of  the  rock  at  these  places,  is  not  as  good  as 
that  west  of  the  river  ;  though  it  has  scarcely  been  explored  at  all, 
at  the  localities  above  mentioned.  * 

In  Groton  is  a  bed  of  soapstone  on  which  considerable  labor  has 
been  expended.  Its  width  appears  to  be  10  or  12  feet,  and  it  descends 
into  the  earth  towards  the  southeast ;  dipping  about  30°,  and  lying 
between  layers  of  mica  slate.  It  is  not  of  the  best  quality,  being  some^ 
what  too  hard  ;  yet  its  proximity  to  Boston,  Newburyport,  and  Salem, 
will  probably  render  it  an  object  of  importance. 

In  the  states  adjoining  Massachusetts,  and  not  many  miles  from 
its  limits,  several  extensive  and  valuable  quarries  of  soapstone  have 
teen  opened.  In  Vermont  they  occur  at  Marlborough,  Windham, 
and  Grafton.  In  New-Hampshire,  very  fine  steatite  is  found  at  Fran- 
cestown.  In  Connecticut,  a  bed  has  been  wrought  in  Somers*  The 
Grafton  steatite  is  employed  extensively  and  successfully  for  aqueducts  : 
the  joints  being  connected  by  sheet  lead.  A  bed  of  this  rock  exists  in 
Smithfield,  R.  I. ;  although  it  is  not  wrought ;  there  are  beds  also  in 
Several  other  places  in  that  state. 

From  the  preceding  statements  it  seems,  that  in  this  state,  and 
contiguous  to  it,  immense  quantities,  and  every  variety  of  steatite 


Gfaywacke.  S3 

exists.  As  yet,  however,  the  working  of  it  has  hardly  commenced  ; 
although  almost  every  man  is  aware  of  the  value  of  this  rock;  and 
there  are  few  who  do  not  sometimes  stand  in  the  need  of  it  for  eco- 
nomical purposes.  As  the  facilities  for  transportation  are  multiplied, 
and  particularly  in  the  mountainous  part  of  the  state,  its  use  will  un- 
doubtedly be  greatly  extended.  At  present  I  believe,  the  shops  in 
Boston  are  supplied  from  Vermont  and  New  Hampshire. 

Graywacke, 

For  the  most  part,  this  rock  furnishes  a  coarse  stoile  only  fitted  for  a 
common  wall ;  but  sometimes  its  stratification  is  so  regular,  and  its 
grains  are  so  fine,  that  it  answers  well  for  underpinning,  step  stones, 
&c.  It  is  quarried  I  believe  in  Brighton,  and  some  other  towns  in  the 
vicinity  of  Boston.  At  Pawtucket,  on  the  R.  I.  side  of  the  river,  is 
an  extensive  quarry  of  a  fine  grained  and  slaty  variety,  which  I  should 
judge  would  form  a  good  flagging  stone  ;  and  immense  quantities  have 
been  taken  away  for  this  object  and  for  other  purposes.  On  Canon- 
icut  island  in  that  state,  is  also  a  valuable  quarry  of  this  rock. 

Graywacke  is  sometimes  beautifully  amygdaloidal ;  that  is,  it  con- 
tains  numerous  rounded  or  almond  shaped  nodules  of  some  other 
mineral.  In  these  instances,  however,  the  case  of  the  rock  is  rather 
Wacke,  than  graywacke.  This  wacke  (which  resembles  indurated 
clay,)  often  forms  the  cement  of  graywacke.  In  Brighton  it  is  of  a 
reddish  color,  while  the  imbedded  nodules  are  sometimes  white,  and 
sometimes  white  feldspar  with  epidote,  which  is  of  a  lively  green  co* 
lor ;  and  these  substances  are  not  only  in  rounded  masses,  but  in  veins 
of  irregular  shape.  The  rock  is  hard  and  admits  an  imperfect  polish, 
It  then  resembles  porphyry  and  is  elegant.  A  fine  example  of  this 
may  be  seen  at  the  residence  of  H.  A.  S.  Dearborn,  Esq.  in  Roxbury, 
forming  a  pedestal  for  the  bust  of  his  father.  It  is  only  slightly  pol- 
ished, but  would  generally  be  mistaken  for  porphyry. 

A  similar  amygdaloid  occurs  in  Brookline,  Newton  and  Need- 
ham.  A  variety  still  more  beautiful  is  found  at  Hingham.  The  col- 
or of  the  base  is  chocolate  red  ;  and  the  nodules  are  red,  green  and 
white.  I  do  not  know  whether  large  blocks  can  be  got  out. 

I  think  upon  the  whole,  however,  that  the  finest  amygdaloid  Occurs 

in  Saugus,  on  the  hill  a   few  rods  east  of  the   meeting  house.     The 

base  is   a  pleasant   green,  and  the   nodules  white,    compact  feldspar, 

generally  spherical,  and  thickly  interspersed.     I  have  little  doubt  that 

5 


34  Economical  Geology. 

large  blocks  can  be  obtained  at  this  locality ;  but  as  the  base  is  softer 
than  the  nodules  it  can  be  only  imperfectly  polished. 

Argillaceous  Slate. 

A  more  common  name  for  this  rock,  at  least  for  the  most  useful 
variety  of  it,  is  roof  slate;  because  it  is  used  for  forming  the  roofs  of  houses. 
I  have  been  inclined  sometimes  to  regard  the  ranges  in  Gluincy,  Wa- 
tertown,  Charlestown,  and  Chelsea,  as  a  fined  grained  variety  of 
graywacke ;  but  this  question  may  be  more  properly  considered  in 
the  scientific  part  of  my  report.  At  any  rate,  this  rock,  in  the  towns 
above  mentioned,  does  not  split  into  layers  sufficiently  thin  for  roof- 
ing. But  it  is  valuable  for  grave  stones,  the  covering  of  drains,  flag- 
ing  stones,  &c  ;  and  for  these  purposes  it  is  extensively  wrou  ght  in 
Q,uincyr  Charlestown,  &c. 

Novaculite. 

This  is  a  variety  of  argillaceous  slate  which  is  known  in  the  arts 
under  the  name  of  hone,  oil  stone,  turkey  stone,  and  whet  stone.  It 
is  in  beds  of  argillaceous  slate  in  Charlestown,  Maiden  and  Q,uincy. 
It  is  not  however,  of  a  very  good  quality ;  and  I  am  not  aware  of  its 
being  used  for  hones,  or  even  for  whet  stones ;  although  it  might  an- 
swer the  purpose,  if  better  materials  could  not  be  found  elsewhere. 
Mr.  Godon  in  his  account  of  the  geology  of  Boston  and  vicinity,  says 
that  a  compact  feldspar  is  found  there  perfectly  analagous  to  the  Tur- 
key stone.  I  have  found  a  variety  of  this  mineral  in  Newbury,  which 
I  apprehend,  corresponds  with  that  described  by  this  writer,  and  a  spe- 
cimen may  be  seen  in  the  collection ;  but  no  fair  trial  that  I  know  of 
has  been  made  to  employ  this  stone  as  a  hone. 

Roof  Slate  in  Worcester  County. 

The  range  of  slate  exhibited  on  the  Map  in  the  towns  of  Boyls- 
ton,  Lancaster,  Harvard,  Shirley  and  Pepperell,  is  associated  with 
the  peculiar  mica-slate  that  contains  the  Worcester  coal.  It  answers 
for  roofing  in  some  parts  of  the  bed  and  has  been  quarried  for  this  pur- 
pose in  Lancaster.  It  has  been  wrought  considerably  in  Harvard 
and  Pepperell  for  gravestones  ;  and  is  transported  a  considerable 
distance  for  this  purpose.  The  stratum  is  narrower  near  the  north 
line  of  the  state ;  but  I  have  found  no  time  to  ascertain  how  far  it  ex- 
tends into  New  Hampshire. 


New  Red  Sand  Stone.  35 

Connecticut  River  Slate. 

Although  a  large  part  of  Bernardston  is  represented  as  composed 
of  this  slate,  yet  its  characters  are  not  perfectly  developed,  till  we  pass 
into  Vermont.  In  Guilford,  Brattleborough,  Dummerston,  and  even  50 
or  60  miles  northward,  it  produces  an  excellent  material  for  roofs,  wri- 
ting slates,  &c. ;  and  extensive  quarries  are  opened  in  it  in  those  towns. 
The  hest  slate  used  in  Massachusetts  probably  comes  from  this  range. 
In  Bernardston  it  is  quarried  to  some  extent  for  grave  stones. 

Berkshire  Slate, 

The  mica  slate  of  the  western  section  of  the  State,  passes  gradual- 
ly into  roof  slate,  and  in  most  instances  the  characters  of  the  lat- 
ter are  not  very  perfectly  exhibited,  until  we  have  entered  New 
York.  There,  however,  in  Hoosac,  and  other  towns,  it  is  quarried 
extensively  for  roofing  ;  and  the  western  part  of  Massachusetts  is 
always  sure  of  a  supply  of  this  valuable  material  from  that  quarter  ;  if 
not  within  its  own  limits. 

Graphic  Slate. 

This  occurs  in  small  quantities,  along  with  the  argillaceous  slate,  in 
Lanesborough  and  Williamstown ;  also  abundantly  in  Bennington, 
(Vt.)  Prof.  Dewey,  from  whose  account  I  derive  this  fact,  does  not 
state  whether  it  is  pure  enough  to  be  employed  by  artificers  for  draw- 
ing lines,  and  for  crayons ;  uses  to  which  this  mineral  has  been  appli- 
ed in  other  countries. 

New  Red  Sandstone. 

This  rock  occurs  in  Massachusetts,  only  in  the  vicinity  of  Connect- 
icut river  ;  along  which,  on  both  sides,  ranges  extend  from  Middle- 
town,  (Ct.)  to  Vermont.  It  affords  large  quantities  of  good  stone 
for  building  and  other  purposes.  Some  of  the  numerous  varieties  of 
this  rock  are  slaty  ;  and  either  of  a  red,  gray  or  black  color.  These 
varieties  furnish  good  flagging  stones  ;  and  the  side  walks  of  all  the 
principal  places  along  the  river,  are  chiefly  covered  by  them.  In  the 
more  common  varieties,  the  strata  are  from  six  inches  to  two  feet  or 
more  in  thickness ;  and  for  the  most  part,  the  color  is  red,  though 
sometimes  gray.  From  hence  is  obtained  most  of  the  rock  Nof  this 
formation  used  in  architecture.  The  most  delicate  variety  occurs  in 
Long  Meadow  and  Wilbraham.  It  consists  simply  of  an  almost  blood 


36  Economical  Geology. 

red  sand,  cemented  probably  by  iron.  It  is  remarkably  uniform  in 
its  color  and  composition ;  and  forms  a  beautiful  and  most  valuable 
building  stone ;  though  liable  to  be  easily  injured  and  sometimes  dis- 
integrating by  exposure.  The  quantity  of  this  rock  is  inexhausti- 
ble, and  it  occurs  only  from  three  to  five  miles  from  Connecticut  riv- 
er ;  the  intervening  region  being  nearly  level.  A  great  number  of 
quarries  are  now  explored ;  but  I  have  no  means  of  determining  how 
great  is  the  demand  for  the  stone.  The  celebrated  Chatham  quar- 
ries, on  the  banks  of  Connecticut  river,  in  Connecticut,  are  opened 
in  the  same  kind  of  rock,  although  of  a  coarser  variety. 

Another  variety  of  the  new  red  sandstone,  quarried  in  many  places 
.  in  Massachusetts  and  Connecticut,  is  coarser  than  the  Long  Meadow 
stone ;  but  being  harder,  it  is  more  enduring,  though  less  elegant. 
This  variety  is  quarried  extensively  for  the  Farmington  Canal  in  the 
sandstone  range  south  of  Mount  Tom  in  West  Springfield.  A 
gray  and  rather  coarse  variety  is  used  in  some  places,  e.  g.  in  Gran- 
by,  (Mass.)  This  indeed,  with  the  other  varieties  mentioned  above, 
forms  excellent  underpinning,  door  and  window  caps,  and  foundations, 
and  door  steps  ;  and,  like  the  Berkshire  marble,  they  are  sometimes 
wrought  into  sinks  and  other  similar  articles.  The  ease  with  which 
the  rocks  of  this  formation  are  wrought,  forms  a  great  recommenda- 
tion ;  and  were  they  as  enduring  as  gneiss  and  granite,  these  latter, 
rocks  would  soon  be  neglected. 

Tertiary  Formations. 

I  suspect  there  are  only  two  varieties  of  these  formations  in  Mas- 
sachusetts ;  one  developed  most  perfectly  in  the  \vest  part  of  Mar- 
tha's Vineyard,  and  the  other,  and  the  most  extensive,  along  the  Con- 
necticut river,  although  common  in  limited  patches  all  over  the  State, 
Neither  of  these  formations  furnishes  stones  sufficiently  firm  for  arch- 
itectural purposes,  although  in  a  few  instances,  I  have  observed  lim- 
ited beds  of  the  clay,  sand  and  pebbles,  that  compose  these  forma- 
tions, to  be  in  a  state  of  consolidation.  Nearly  all  our  clays,  howev- 
er, are  in  the  tertiary  formations,  and  these  are  so  important  in  an 
economical  point  of  view,  as  to  demand  a  particular  description. 

Porcelain  Clay. 

This  is  the  purest  of  all  the  clays,  and  is  the  only  one  employed  in 
the  manufacture  of  porcelain,  or  China  ware,  It  results  from  the 


Potter's  Clay.  37 

decomposition  of  granite ;  and  hence  we  might  expect  to  find  it  in 
Massachusetts  ;  since  we  abound  so  much  in  granite.  As,  however, 
the  manufacture  of  this  ware  has  but  recently  been  introduced  into 
this  country,  little  effort  has  been  made  to  discover  this  clay.  It  has 
been  announced,  as  existing  in  several  towns  in  the  state,  although 
the  bed  in  Savoy,  described  by  Prof.  Dewey,  in  his  account  of  the 
geology  of  Berkshire,  is  probably  the  only  one  known  that  merits  a 
notice  in  this  report.  It  is  said  to  constitute  a  layer  three  feet  thick, 
and  of  unknown  extent,  several  feet  below  the  surface.  It  contains 
coarse  particles  of  quartz,  which  can,  however,  be  separated  by  sift- 
ing. It  resembles  the  porcelain  clay  of  Monkton,  (Vt.)  which  is  re- 
garded as  of  a  good  quality.  It  forms  a  very  cohesive  white  paste, 
and  crucibles  made  from  it,  and  burned  in  a  common  fire,  were  sono- 
rous when  struck.  A  similar  clay  is  said  to  occur  in  large  quantity, 
in  Canaan,  Ct. 

A  part  of  the  extensive  clay  beds  on  Martha's  Vineyard,  appears 
to  be  porcelain  clay  ;  especially  in  Chilmark  :  though  a  large  pro- 
portion of  mica  is  mixed  with  it. 

Potter's  Clay. 

This  is  the  clay  so  extensively  employed  for  common  pottery, 
pipes,  tiles,  and  bricks.  And  fortunately  it  is  found  on  almost  every 
square  mile  in  the  State.  We  have  two  quite  distinct  varieties.  The 
purest,  sometimes  called  pipe  clay,  is  found  almost  exclusively  on 
Martha's  Vineyard.  This  is  white,  and  contains  usually  so  little 
iron,  that  when  burnt,  it  becomes  still  whiter,  and  will  resist  a  high 
degree  of  heat.  Hence  it  is  employed  for  making  what  are  called 
fire  bricks,  which  are  used  for  lining  furnaces.  White  pottery  is  also 
made  from  it.  But  the  more  common  clay  turns  red  on  burning,  in 
consequence  of  the  oxide  of  iron  in  it ;  and  this  renders  it  much  ea- 
sier to  be  melted  by  the  heat,  and  consequently  diminishes  its  value. 
It  is  of  immense  value,  however,  to  the  State ;  because  good  bricks 
may  be  made  from  it ;  and  because  it  exists  so  abundantly  in  almost 
every  town.  The  same  tertiary  formation  that  supplies  clay  so  plen- 
tifully, yields  an  abundance  of  sand  for  the  mortar  by  which  they 
must  be  cemented.  This  sand,  however,  is  generally  rather  fine ; 
and  I  am  inclined  to  believe,  from  all  that  I  can  learn,  that  our  mor- 
tar is  generally  prepared  from  sand  that  is  too  fine. 


38  Economical  Geology. 

Substitute  for  Fuller's  Earth. 

The  common  clay  in  the  Connecticut  valley,  has  recently  been 
employed  in  Northampton,  in  the  place  of  fuller's  earth,  in  cleansing 
cloth.  A  considerable  quantity  of  it  has  also  been  sent  down  the 
river,  for  use  in  other  places.  This  clay  is  fine  grained,  and  when 
dry,  adheres  strongly  to  the  tongue.  It  is  said  to  answer  exceed- 
ingly well  in  the  place  of  fuller's  earth ;  on  this  point  however,  I  have 
my  information  at  second  hand.  A  clay  of  precisely  the  same  char- 
acter has  recently  been  put  into  my  hands  from  Leominster,  where  it 
occurs  in  alternating  layers  with, sand.  Some  of  the  sand  of  this 
tertiary  formation,  especially  in  the  gneiss  region,  is  of  a  delicate 
white  color,  and  quite  pure.  In  some  cases,  when  its  finest  particles 
are  mixed  with  clay,  it  will  answer  very  well  for  giving  a  polish  to 
brass  and  other  metals.  This  variety  is  found  abundantly  in  Shutes- 
bury. 

Clay  used  in  the  Manufacture  of  Alum. 

The  white  clay  of  Martha's  Vineyard,  is  employed  extensively  in 
the  manufacture  of  alum,  in  Salem ;  by  the  process  of  Chaptal,  I  sup- 
pose ;  although  the  details  are,  I  believe,  kept  secret.  By  his  method, 
sulphur  and  nitre  are  burnt  in  a  chamber  with  the  clay,  'which,  after 
a  considerable  time,  is  lixiviated,  and  the  ley  evaporated.  There  is 
indeed,  a  variety  of  Clay  which  contains  sulphur,  that  will  produce 
alum  without  the  addition  of  other  materials ;  but  I  cannot  believe 
that  from  the  Vineyard  to  be  of  this  description.  At  any  rate  the 
alum  which  the  Salem  company  produce,  is  of  a  good  quality,  and  is 
made  in  large  quantities.  They  formerly  obtained  their  clay  from 
Gay  Head ;  but  they  now  procure  it  of  a  better  quality  from  the  west 
side  of  the  island,  in  Chilmark, 


Clay  as  a  Manure. 

Writers  on  agriculture,  speak  of  clay  as  next  in  value  to  marl,  for 
manuring  light  and  sandy  lands ;  and  I  cannot  but  think  that  our  far- 
mers have  yet  something  to  learn  on  this  subject.  Marl,  they  cannot 
procure,  but  at  a  great  expense ;  but  clay  is  usually  at  hand — and  we 
have  very  much  of  the  land  which  it  will  help.  Yet  I  am  not  aware 
*hat  in  any  instance  the  experiment  has  been  thoroughly  made. 

Marl. 
Marl  for  our  farmers,  scarcely  exists  in  the  State,  except  in  a   few 


Peat.  39 

places  in  Berkshire  county,  where  it  is  of  little  use,  because  the  soil 
already  contains  so  much  calcareous  matter.  It  is  said  to  have  heen 
found  in  Lancaster,  but  whether  in  large  or  small  quantities,  is  not 
stated.  Judging  from  the  nature  of  the  surrounding  country,  I  ven- 
ture to  predict  that  it  will  not  be  found  there  in  abundance.  In  Dux- 
bury  also,  it  occurs  in  considerable  quantity.  In  Pittsfield,  is  a  bed 
of  earthy  marl,  but  not  extensive.  It  is  found  more  abundantly,  it  is 
said,  in  Lenox  ;  and  it  exists  also  in  Williamstown. 

Peat. 

This  useful  substance  must  be  regarded  as  alluvial  in  its  character, 
since  the  process  of  its  formation  is  now  going  on.  It  results  chiefly 
from  mosses  and  other  plants,  more  or  less  decayed.  In  the  eastern 
part  of  the  State,  it  is  found  in  great  quantities.  West  of  Worcester r 
it  has  scarcely  been  sought  after,  on  account  of  the  comparative  abun- 
dance of  wood.  It  will  probably,  however,  never  be  found  so  abun- 
dantly in  the  western  part  of  the  State,  as  in»  the  eastern.  I  have 
ascertained  the  existence  of  peat  in  the  following  towns,  and  do  not 
doubt  that  it  occurs  in  many  others.  There  are  two  varieties  ;  the 
fibrous  and  the  compact.  In  the  former,  the  moss,  turf,  and  roots  out 
of  which  peat  is  formed,  have  not  lost  their  fibrous  structure :  but  in 
the  latter,  they  are  converted  into  a  compact  and  nearly  homogene- 
ous mass. 

The  fibrous  and  compact  varieties,  probably  exist  at  nearly  every 
locality.  I  am  sure  of  their  occurrence  in  Cambridge,  Newton,  and 
Lexington  ;  and  in  large  quantities.  Peat  is  abundant  in  Seekonk, 
Uxbridge,  Cohasset,  Duxbury,  Hingham,  Medfield,  Walpole,  Wren- 
tham,  Dover,  Framingham,  Sudbury,  Topsfield,  Ipswich,  and  Nanr 
tucket. 

It  exists  and  has  been  dug  in  greater  or  less  quantities  in  Pittsfieldr 
Hadley,  Leverett,  Shrewsbury,  Lancaster,  Southborough,  Hopkinton,. 
Medway,  Halifax,  Stoughton,  Boylston,  Reading,  Milton,  Needham,. 
Concord,  Billerica,  Bedford,  Waltham,  Watertown,  Acton,  Wilming- 
ton, Danvers,  Chelmsford  Hamilton,  and  in  nearly  all  the  towns  ins 
Barnstable  county ;  certainly  in  Yarmouth,  Brewster,  Orleans,  East- 
ham,  Wellfleet,  and  Truro.  I  have  marked  on  the  map,  only  the 
most  important  localities. 

The  value  of  peat  for  fuel,  is  generally  known ;  but  I  apprehend 
that  it  is  not  generally  known  that  a  still  more  important  use  may  be 
made  of  it  in  agriculture.  Peat  swamps  in  Massachusetts  are  com- 


40  Economical  Geology. 

monly  surrounded  by  light  and  poor  land.  While  the  swamp  itself 
contains  too  much  vegetable  matter,  imperfectly  decomposed,  the  land 
around  it  contains  too  little.  All  that  is  needed,  therefore,  is  to  em- 
ploy the  excess  of  the  one,  to  supply  the  deficiency  of  the  other. 
Hence,  as  an  English  writer  remarks,  "  peat  or  vegetable  matter, 
should  be  carried  from  the  peat  moss  to  the  poor  soil,  and  the  surface 
mould  from  the  poor  soil  to  the  peat  moss."  The  peat  ought  indeed 
to  be  converted  into  manure,  by  lying  awhile  in  a  barn  yard,  or  by 
mixing  lime,  or  other  substance  with  it ;  and  there  are  particular  di- 
rections to  be  observed  as  to  the  whole  process,  which  this  is  not  the 
proper  place  to  explain.  But  they  can  be  learned  in  works  on  agri- 
culture ;  and  whoever  undertakes  thus  to  make  use  of  peat,  without 
learning  the  results  of  enlightened  experience  on  the  subject,  will 
probably  fail  in  his  object.  But  since  great  benefit  has  been  derived 
from  the  use  of  peat  as  a  manure,  in  England  and  Ireland,  no  reason 
can  be  assigned  why  it  may  not  thus  be  applied  in  this  country  with 
equal  success. 

1  cannot  but  regard  the  existence  of  so  large  quantities  of  peat,  on 
Cape  Cod  and  Nantucket,  as  a  great  blessing  to  the  inhabitants.  Yet 
from  the  little  of  it,  which  I  observed  to  be  dug  there,  I  am  appre- 
hensive they  do  not  realize  its  value.  Most  of  the  soil  in  those  coun- 
ties is  precisely  of  that  kind,  which  needs  the  admixture  of  much 
vegetable  matter.  If  the  peat  swamps  could  be  drained,  and  after  the 
removal  of  a  portion  of  the  peat,  be  covered  with  lighter  and  warm- 
er soil,  but  few  years  would  elapse  before  they  would  become  fine 
grass  plats  ;  while  the  sandy  and  more  elevated  land,  enriched  by  the 
peat,  would  produce  large  crops  of  Indian  corn,  rye,  and  other  veg- 
etables. That  this  is  not  mere  hypothesis,  has  been  demonstrated  on 
a  small  scale,  at  least  upon  one  farm,  that  of  the  Hon.  John  Reed,  of 
Yarmouth.  Since  the  inhabitants  of  Cape  Cod  are  beginning  to 
turn  their  attention  more  and  more  to  the  cultivation  of  the  soil,  may 
we  not  expect  that  such  a  transformation  will  ere  long  be  common. 

A  few  other  mineral  substances,  interesting  in  an  economical  point 
of  view,  may  perhaps  be  appropriately  noticed  in  this  place. 

1.   Granular  Quartz  and  Sand  for  the  Manufacture,  of  Glass. 

From  some  unknown  cause,  the  granular  quartz  in  Cheshire,  Berk- 
shire County,  is  so  much  disintegrated,  that  it  easily  crumbles  into  a 
beautiful  white  sand.  This  forms  a  good  material  for  glass,  and  has 
been  employed  for  this  purpose  a  number  of  years ;  formerly  in 


Buhrslone.  41 

Cheshire  and  Warwick,  Mass.,  and  in  Utica,  N,  Y. ;  and  at  present 
in  Keene,  N.  H.  It  answers  well  for  Crown  and  cylinder  glass. 
The  quantity  is  inexhaustable.  It  is  sold  at  the  road,  one  mile  from 
the  bed,  at  6£  cents  per  bushel.  This  sand  is  employed  extensively 
in  Berkshire  in  the  process  of  sawing  marble. 

I  am  inclined  to  believe  that  some  of  the  sand  associated  with  the 
tertiary  and  diluvial  formations  in  the  State,  particularly  in  the  gneiss 
region,  is  pure  enough  to  be  employed  in  the  manufacture  of  coarse 
kinds  of  glass :  such  for  instance  as  is  found  in  Pelham  and  Leomin- 
ster.  The  purest  and  coarsest  variety,  however,  that  I  have  met  with, 
forms  the  shores  of  Lock's  Pond,  in  the  North  West  part  of  Shutes- 
bury.  Similar  sand,  I  believe,  is  used  for  glass  making  in  the  east- 
ern part  of  Connecticut. 

When  examining  the  milk  white  quartz,  that  exists  in  mountain 
masses  in  the  east  part  of  Cumberland,  R.  I. :  the  inquiry  forced 
itself  upon  my  attention,  whether  it  might  not  be  employed  in  the 
manufacture  of  glass  ?  Those  particularly  acquainted  with  that  man- 
ufacture, canr  however,  judge  better  of  this  matter  than  myself. 

2.  Buhrstone. 

In  the  same  hill  that  furnishes  the  fine  stratified  quartz  rock  for 
architectural  purposes,  in  Washington,  three  miles  from  Pittsfield,  a 
porous  quartz  is  found,  which  greatly  resembles,  and  is  used  instead 
of  buhrslone,  for  millstones.  Whether  geologists  would  allow  it  ta 
be  real  buhr stone,  may  admit  of  doubt ;  since  it  is  unquestionably  a 
rock  of  primitive  formation ;  Avhereas  the  real  Paris  buhrstone,  is  a 
member  of  the  tertiary  formation.  But  in  an  economical  point  of 
view,  this  question  is  of  little  importance,  since  the  rock  seems  to  an- 
swer nearly  all  the  purposes  of  buhrstone  so  well  that  it  is  employed 
somewhat  extensively  for  millstones.  These  are  manufactured  near 
the  ledge,  and  sold  for  seventy  or  eighty  dollars  each.  I  am  told 
that  they^  answer  well,  especially  for  the  coarser  kinds  of  grain.  I 
should  presume  that  the  only  difficulty  would  lie  in  their  being  less 
tough  than  the  genuine  buhrstone.  The  quantity  at  the  ledge  is  in- 
exhaustible. 

Sometimes  our  citizens  employ  the  finer  and  more  compact  varie- 
ties of  granite  for  millstones.  I  have  seen  even  a  coarse  conglome- 
rate, or  puddingstone,  used  for  this  purpose.  And  while  upon  this 
subject,  I  cannot  but  express  my  surprise  that  no  attempt  has  been 
made  to  employ  our  greenstone,  and  other  hornblend  rocks,  for  mill- 
6 


42  Economical  Geology. 

stones.  In  Great  Britain,  basalt  has  been,  within  a  few  years,  used 
for  this  purpose,  and  found  even  superior  to  the  French  buhrstone ; 
and  our  greenstone  is  only  a  variety  of  the  same  rock ;  indeed,  some 
of  our  greenstone  cannot  be  distinguished,  by  the  eye,  from  the  Eu- 
ropean basalt.  It  is  generally  extremely '  compact  and  tough ;  and 
although  its  preparation  might  require  a  little  more  labor  than  the 
buhrstone,  yet  it  would  doubtless  last  enough  longer  amply  to  pay  for 
the  additional  labor.  In  the  vicinity  of  Boston  and  in  the  Connecti- 
cut valley,  as  may  be  seen  on  the  Map,  greenstone  exists  in  great 
quantities.  It  also  occurs  in  small  beds  throughout  the  whole  extent 
of  the  gneiss  region  ;  and  of  a  kind,  which  I  should  suppose  from  its 
appearance,  would  answer  the  purpose  even  better  than  that  of  the 
extensive  ranges  above  mentioned. 

Coal. 

Of  this  mineral,  the  object  of  so  much  interest  in  every  civilized 
country,  there  are  found  three  distinct  species  ;  all  of  which  are  some- 
times employed  as  fuel.  The  most  common  in  Europe,  which  is 
there  considered  the  best,  is  the  bituminous  coal,  or  that  containing  bi- 
tumen. This  burns  readily  with  a  yellow  or  white  flame.  A  second 
species  is  the  anthracite,  or  stone  coal ;  which  is  generally  described 
as  burning  without  flame,  because  destitute  of  bitumen.  The  anthra- 
cites of  this  country,  however,  burn  with  the  flame  that  results  from 
the  combustion  of  hydrogen  ;  this  gas  existing  in  a  state  of  combina- 
tion, either  with  the  carbon,  or  in  the  water  which  the  anthracite  con- 
tains ;  and  it  is  liberated  by  the  heat.  The  great  difficulty  in  the  use 
of  anthracite,  consists  in  igniting  it :  a  difficulty  which  has  almost 
disappeared  before  the  ingenuity  of  our  countrymen.  In  Europe,. 
Anthracite  has  been  described  as  of  little  value:  with  the  exception, 
perhaps,  of  Killkenny  coal.  But  our  Anthracite  is  either  of  a  qual- 
ity superior  to  the  European,  or  we  have  learned  better  methods  of 
employing  it.  All  the  coal  obtained  from  the  inexhaustible  beds  of 
that  mineral  along  the  Susquehannah,  Lehigh,  and  Schuylkillr  in 
Pennsylvania,  is  anthracite  ;  and  wherever  it  is  skillfully  used,  I  be- 
lieve it  is  decidedly  preferred  to  the  best  bituminous  coals  of  England, 
or  the  United  States.  The  coal  from  Rhode  Island,  (chiefly  from 
Portsmouth  at  the  north  end  of  the  Island,  is  also  anthracite.  The 
Worcester  coal  belongs  to  the  same  species  :  indeed,  every  enlighten- 
ed man  in  this  country  now  regards  our  anthracite  as  a  great  national 
blessing.  But  in  Great  Britain,  their  geological  writers  speak  of  the 


Coal  43 

anthracites  found  in  Ireland  and  on  the  European  continent,  as  "  car- 
bonaceous matters  that  can  never  be  profitably  worked,  so  as  to  be- 
come objects  of  statistical  interest." — (Ure.)  And  Mr.  Conybeare, 
in  his  admirable  view  of  the  English  coal  formations,  speaks  of  the 
deposit  of  bituminous  coal,  as  "  the  only  one  capable  -of  being  applied 
to  purposes  of  extensive  utility,  which  appears  to  exist  in  the  whole 
geological  series."  Is  not  this  an  example  of  that  hasty  generaliza- 
tion, to  which  geologists  are  so  prone  ? 

A  third  sort  of  coal  is  commonly  enumerated,  called  lignite,  con- 
sisting of  wood  partially  carbonized,  and  still  retaining  its  form,  more 
or  less  distinctly.  All  the  kinds  of  coal  that  have  been  mentioned, 
are  found  in  Massachusetts ;  the  lignite  on  Martha's  Vineyard  ;  the 
bituminous  coal  on  the  Connecticut  river,  particularly  at  South  Had- 
ley ;  and  the  anthracite  at  Worcester,  and  in  small  quantities,  in  the 
north  part  of  Middleborough,  in  Bridgewater,  and  West  Bridgewa- 
ter,  in  Wrentham  and  Braintree,  and  near  the  line  of  the  state  in 
Cumberland,  Rhode  Island.  It  is  found  also  in  small  quantities  at 
Turner's  Falls,  at  Southampton,  and  at  Enfield  Falls,  in  the  valley 
of  the  Connecticut.  But  do  they  occur  in  sufficient  quantity  and  of 
such  quality,  as  to  render  them  of  any  statistical  value  ? 

The  lignite  exists  in  beds  several  feet  thick,  in  the  clay  of  the  Vine- 
yard :  and  although  used  as  fuel  in  some  parts  of  Europe,  it  burns 
so  poorly  that  it  will  not  be  much  used  probably,  until  fuel  shall  be- 
come much  more  scarce. 

Genuine  bituminous  coal,  in  sufficient  quantity  to  be  worked  to 
advantage,  has  never  been  found,  except  in  connection  with  a  partic- 
ular series  of  rock,  called  the  Coal  Formation.  Such  a  formation 
has  long  been  supposed  to  exist  in  the  valley  of  the  Connecticut:  ex- 
tending across  the  whole  of  Massachusetts  and  Connecticut ;  and  the 
strata  have  been  bored  in  South  Hadley,  at  least,  in  two  instances,  and 
once  by  a  gentleman  familiar  with  the  real  European  coal  formations. 
Several  years  ago,  I  myself  delineated  a  coal  formation,  on  a  geolog- 
ical map  of  the  Connecticut,  published  in  the  American  Journal  of 
Science.  But  further  examination  has  brought  me,  unwillingly,  to 
the  conclusion,  that  no  such  formation  exists  in  that  valley,  and  that 
the  one  which  I  then  regarded  as  real  coal  measures,  is  in  fact  the 
new  red  sandstone,  or  its  equivalent.  In  another  part  of  this  report, 
I  shall  give  my  reasons  for  this  conclusion.  But  I  would  remark, 
that  I  do  not  feel  so  much  confidence  in  this  opinion,  that  I  would 
urge  the  entire  abandonment  of  all  efforts  to  find  coal ;  for  the  facts 


44  Economical  Geology. 

stated  in  respect  to  anthracite,  will  justify  the  opinion,  that  even  if 
the  rocks  under  consideration,  are  new  red  sandstone,  bituminous 
coal  may  exist  in  it,  in  sufficient  quantities  to  be  worth  exploring  ; 
although  in  Europe  it  occurs  in  such  rocks  only  in  thin  seams.  Cer- 
tainly the  coal  found  at  South  Hadley  was  of  a  superior  quality. 

If,  as  I  suppose,  the  rock  under  consideration  be  the  new  red 
sandstone,  there  is  another  fact  that  ought  to  be  recollected,  viz.  that 
this  rock,  in  other  parts  of  the  world,  is  associated  with  rock  salt, 
salt  springs,  and  gypsum.  No  trace  of  rock  salt  has  been  found  in 
the  Connecticut  valley ;  and  as  yet  only  a  small  quantity  of  gypsum 
has  been  discovered.  Professor  Silliman  found  a  little  of  this  mine- 
ral in  the  greenstone,  associated  with  the  sandstone  in  Deerfield,  and 
Mr.  Davis,  Principal  of  the  academy  in  Westfield,  found  the  same  in 
thin  scales,  between  the  layers  of  the  shale,  connected  with  the  sand- 
stone, on  the  banks  of  Westfield  river  in  West  Springfield.  I  found 
a  little  of  it  also  in  the  shale  at  South  Hadley  canal.  These  facts 
are  sufficient  encouragement  for  the  research  after  gypsum.  And 
when  we  recollect  that  on  account  of  the  softness  of  this  mineral,  it  is 
liable  to  be  deeply  worn  away  at  the  surface,  we  should  by  no  means 
despair  of  its  existence  in  the  valley  of  the  Connecticut.  I  have 
compared  a  collection  of  specimens  from  the  new  red  sandstone,  that 
contains  the  gypsum  of  Nova  Scotia,  with  the  rocks  of  the  Connecti- 
cut valley,  and  they  can  hardly  be  distinguished  from  each  other. 

As  to  anthracite  coal,  it  seems  to  occupy  a  wider  range  among  the 
rocks,  than  genuine  bituminous  coal.  Generally,  however,  the  for- 
mer occurs  lower  down  in  the  rocks — that  is  in  older  rocks — than 
the  latter.  Sometimes  it  is  found  in  what  are  called  transition  rocks : 
and  sometimes  in  the  primitive.  In  this  country  it  is  found  in  both 
these  classes  of  rocks.  We  have  in  the  United  States,  at  least  three 
extensive  deposits  of  anthracite :  the  largest  is  in  Pennsylvania ;  the 
next  largest  in  Rhode  Island ;  and  the  smallest  in  Worcester.  I  have 
examined  them  all,  and  have  come  to  the  conclusion,  that  all  the  rocks 
containing  this  coal,  are  at  least,  as  low  down  in  the  series  as  the  tran- 
sition class  :-v"and  I  am  rather  of  the  opinion,  that  they  all  lie  below 
the  Independent  coal  formation  of  Europe ;  I  mean  on  the  scale  of 
rocks.  I  suspect  that  the  Pennsylvania  anthracite  occurs  in  the 
higher  beds  of  the  gray  wacke,  perhaps  even  in  the  millstone  grit,  and 
the  Rhode  Island  anthracite,  in  the  lower  beds  of  graywacke.  There 
is  no  geological  connection  between  the  Rhode  Island  and  Worces- 
ter coal,  as  Dr,  Meade  and  others  have  supposed.  By  inspecting 


Coal.  45 

the  Map,  the  two  localities  will  be  seen  to  be  separated  by  granite 
and  gneiss,  from  twenty  to  thirty  miles  across.  The  Worcester  coal 
occurs  in  an  imperfect  kind  of  mica  slate.  It  is  what  Humboldt  calls 
trasition  mica  slate  :  for  a  few  miles  north,  it  passes  into  distinct  argil- 
laceous slate.  Following  the  range  south  from  Worcester,  it  be- 
comes more  decidedly  micaceous,  and  probably  there  forms  a  bed  in 
gneiss.  Indeed,  in  Dudley,  I  saw  the  same  rock  surrounded  by 
gneiss,  and  highly  impregnated  with  anthracite. 

The  bed  of  anthracite  in  Worcester,  is  about  seven  feet  thick,  and 
has  a  moderate  dip  to  the  northeast.  It  has  been  explored  only  a 
few  feet,  and  the  operations  are  now  suspended.  To  continue  them 
advantageously,  it  will  be  necessary  to  go  down  the  hill,  and  remove 
the  soil  so  as  to  find  the  lateral  outcrop  of  the  bed,  in  order  to  avoid 
an  accumulation  of  water.  This  work  has  been  already  commenced. 

The  Rhode  Island  beds  of  this  coal  were  opened  several  years 
ago,  before  the  value  of  it  was  justly  appreciated  by  the  community. 
The  sales  not  being  brisk,  the  works  were  abandoned,  and  have  never 
since  been  resumed ;  so  that  on  account  of  the  rubbish,  I  was  unable 
to  ascertain  the  width  of  the  beds.  I  have  always  understood,  how- 
ever, that  there  was  abundance  of  coal.  The  beds  are  less  favorably 
situated  for  working,  than  that  at  Worcester. 

The  extensive,  and  rapidly  increasing  demand  for  the  Penn- 
sylvania coal,  is  a  conclusive  testimony  to  its  first  rate  excellence. 
The  experiments  of  Mr.  Bull  of  Philadelphia,  as  well  as  those 
of  Professor  Silliman,  recorded  in  the  eleventh  volume  of  the 
American  Journal  of  Science,  show  that  the  best  Rhode  Island 
coal  is  not  greatly  inferior.  The  Worcester  coal,  burns  with  more 
difficulty;  but  gentleman  who  have  fairly  tried  it,  and  on  whose 
testimony  I  can  depend,  assure  me,  that  it  may  be  employed  suc- 
cessfully, and  comfortably  for  fuel.  There  can  be  no  doubt,  that 
its  quality  is  inferior  to  the  coal  of  Pennsylvania,  and  also  to  that  of 
Rhode  Island,*  But  it  may  be  very  much  inferior,  and  yet  for  many 
purposes,  be  exceedingly  valuable.  The  fact  is,  anthracite  has  to 
struggle  with  prejudices  wherever  it  is  first  introduced,  arising  chiefly 

*  According-  to  the  experiments  of  Mr.  Bull,  a  pound  of  the  best  Pennsylvania 
anthracite  maintained  ten  degrees  of  heat  in  a  room,  13  hours  and  40  minutes ;  a 
pound  of  the  Rhode  Island  coal  maintained  the  same  heat  in  the  same  room,  9  hours 
and  30  minutes  ;  and  a  pound  of  the  Worcester  coal,  kept  up  the  same  heat  only  7 
hours  and  50  minutes.  It  is  a  curious  fact  that  the  specific  gravity  of  the  Worces- 
ter coal,  is  one  third  greater  than  that  of  the  coal  from  the  t.wo  former  localities. 


46  Economical  Geology. 

from  the  comparative  difficulty  with  which  it  is  ignited ;  and  it  hap- 
pens in  regard  to  this  substance,  as  with  most  things  new  and  untried, 
that  the  community  generally  feel,  as  if  their  business  was  to  find  as 
many  objections  to  it  as  possible  ;  and  the  man  who  would  bring  any 
new  substance  into  general  use,  needs  no  small  share  of  patience,  and 
perseverence.  Dr.  Meade  states,  that  an  experiment  made  several 
years  ago  at  Smithfield,  upon  the  burning  of  limestone,  with  the 
Rhode  Island  coal,  and  another  upon  the  burning  of  brick,  in  the  vi- 
cinity of  Boston,  were  thought  to  be  complete  failures,  because  the 
heat  was  so  intense,  that  the  surface  of  the  lime  and  of  the  bricks  was 
vitrified ;  whereas  the  fact  ought  to  have  taught  the  experimenters,  that 
a  more  careful  regulation  of  the  heat  would  ensure  success.  Indeed, 
I  predict,  that  ere  long,  in  nearly  every  case  where  a  strong  and  steady 
heat  is  required,  anthracite  will  be  found  superior  to  all  other  kinds  of 
fuel ;  and  that  the  anthracite  of  Rhode  Island,  and  even  that  of 
Worcester,  will  be  considered  by  posterity,  if  not  by  the  present 
generation,  as  a  treasure  of  great  value.  The  Pennsylvania  coal  may 
indeed,  for  a  great  many  years,  command  the  market ;  but  I  appre- 
hend, that  the  time  wrill  come,  wrhen  the  expense  of  its  transporta- 
tion to  the  Eastern  States,  and  the  increasing  demand  for  it,  will  lead 
to  the  re-opening  of  the  pits,  that  are  now  abandoned  in  New  England. 
In  coming  to  the  conclusion,  that  the  anthracite  of  Worcester  and 
even  that  of  Rhode  Island,  are  inferior  to  the  Pennsylvania  anthra- 
cite, geological  considerations  confirm  the  results  of  experiments. 
Baron  Humboldt,  who  has  probably  seen  more  of  the  rocks  of 
the  globe,  than  any  man  living,  remarks,  that  "  anthracite  is  a 
more  ancient  formation  than  coal,  and  a  more  recent  formation  than 
graphite,  or  carburetted  iron.  Carbon  becomes  more  hydrogenated, 
in  proportion  as  it  approaches  the  secondary  rocks."  This  last  sen- 
tence, divested  of  its  technical  obscurity,  means,  if  I  understand  it, 
that  the  newer  the  rock  in  which  the  carbon  is  found,  the  greater  will 
be  the  quantity  of  hydrogen  combined  with  it :  and  we  know  that  an 
increase  of  hydrogen,  will  render  coal  -more  combustible.  Now  if 
I  am  correct  in  the  opinion,  that  the  Worcester  anthracite  is  contain- 
ed in  older  rocks  than  that  in  Rhode  Island,  and  the  anthracite  of 
Pennsylvania,  in  rocks  still  newer  than  those  of  Rhode  Island, 
we  might  expect,  that  the  newer  would  prove  the  best' for  fuel, 
and  the  older  the  poorest,  because  containing  the  least  hydro- 
gen. The  quantity  of  carbon,  however,  in  the  Worcester  coal, 
is  believed  to  be  nearly  as  great,  as  in  that  from  Rhode  Island  and 


Graphite,  Plumbago  or  Red  Lead.  47 

Pennsylvania ;  although  no  analysis  has  been  made  of  the  former. 
But  carbon  is  less  combustible  than  hydrogen.  Yet  I  can  hardly  be- 
lieve, that  a  coal,  which  contains  probably  not  less  than  90  per  cen- 
tum of  carbon,  should  not  be  employed,  in  some  way  or  other,  as  val- 
uable fuel. 

The  formation  which  I  have  denominated  gray  wacke,  and  which 
contains  the  anthracite  in  Rhode  Island,  extends  northerly  in  interrup- 
ted patches,  nearly  across  the  whole  of  Massachusetts;  as  may  be 
seen  on  the  Map.  The  most  southern  patch,  embraces  nearly  the 
whole  of  Bristol  and  part  of  Plymouth  county  ;  the  second  branches 
from  the  first  at  Wrentham,  and  extends  to  Dedham ;  the  third  in- 
cludes several  towns  in  the  vicinity  of  Boston ;  and  the  fourth  is  in 
Rowley  and  Newbury  in  Essex  county.  I  know  of  no  reason,  why  one 
part  of  this  formation  should  contain  anthracite  rather  than  another  ; 
and  hence  we  may  reasonably  look  for  it  in  any  part  of  the  gray  wacke 
formation,  exhibited  on  the  Map.  The  transition  mica  slate  containing 
the  Worcester  anthracite,  occupies,  as  the  Map  will  show,  a  large  por- 
tion of  the  northeastern  part  of  the  state ;  and  it  would  not  be  strange  if 
other  beds  ofthat  mineral  should  be  found  in  it. 

Graphite,  Plumbago,  or  Black  Lead. 

This  substance  has  the  color  of  lead,  leaves  a  trace  like  that  metal 
upon  paper,  and  bears  the  common  name,  black  lead ;  but  it  contains  no 
lead.  It  is  composed  of  above  90  per  centum  of  carbon,  and  the  rest  is 
iron  and  earthy  matter.  Hence  it  differs  but  little  from  some  varieties 
of  anthracite.  It  seems  indeed  to  be  t-he  form  in  which  carbon  occurs 
in  the  oldest  of  the  rocks.  In  Massachusetts  it  exists  in  gneiss,  at 
the  most  important  locality,  which  is  in  Sturbridge.  It  there  occurs 
in  a  bed,  varying  in  width  from  an  inch  to  about  two  feet,  and  trace- 
able along  the  surface,  nearly  one  hundred  rods.  A  number  of  years; 
ago  this  bed  was  opened  ;  and  several  tons  of  the  graphite  obtained. 
It  was  then  abandoned  ;  but  within  a  few  years  the  exploration  has; 
been  recommenced,  and  already  more  than  a  hundred  tons  have  been 
obtained.  In  some  places  the  excavation  is  60  or  70  feet  deep.. 
The  quality  of  the  graphite  is  excellent  and  would  not  suffer  by  com- 
parison, with  almost  any  in  the  world.  To  what  extent  it  may  be  ob- 
tained, it  is  not  possible  at  present  to  determine.  The  fact,  that  the 
bed  descends,  almost  perpendicularly,  into  the  earth,  is  rather  unfavor- 
able to  the  miner.  Yet,  as  it  is  found  upon  elevated  ground,  the 
mine  can  be  conveniently  drained  by  lateral  cuts  or  adits  to  a  consid- 


48  Economical  Geology. 

erable  depth ;  and  probably  the  exploration  may  be  profitably  con- 
tinued for  a  long  time,  with  little  machinery. 

Graphite  is  employed  for  pencils,  crucibles,  lubricating  machinery, 
&c.  It  occurs  at  several  other  localities  in  Massachusetts,  besides  that 
in  Sturbridge,  but  not  in  large  quantities,  except  perhaps  in  Hinsdale. 
It  is  said  that  a  good  bed  of  it  has  been  opened  in  New  Hampshire. 

A  substitute  for  Emery. 

No  real  emery  has  yet  been  found  in  Massachusetts ;  but  a  rock 
composed  of  garnet  and  anthophyllite  or  augite,  occurs  in  North 
Brookfield,  which  is  employed  as  a  substitute  for  that  mineral,  and 
it  is  said  to  answer  well.  The  powder  of  the  garnet,  although  much 
inferior  in  hardness  to  real  emery,  is  indeed  sometimes  called  in  com- 
merce, red  emery.  The  rock  in  Brookfield  is  abundant,  and  may 
prove  valuable. 

Tripoli  or  Rotten  Stone. 

At  Paine's  quarry  of  limestone  in  West  Springfield,  I  found  a  min- 
eral which  subsequent  examination  has  convinced  me  is  genuine  rot- 
ten stone:  and  so  far  as  I  have  had  opportunity  of  examining  it,  it 
appears  to  be  of  a  superior  quality.  I  did  not  observe  whether  it  can 
be  obtained  in  large  quantity,  though  I  saw  not  a  little  of  it.  Should 
it  prove  to  be  abundant  and  genuine,  it  would  be  a  valuable  addition 
to  our  economical  minerals. 

A  similar  mineral  occurs  in  the  new  red  sandstone  at  South  Had- 
ley  Canal.  But  I  do  not  yet  know  its  extent  or  precise  situation. 

Native  Alum. 

This  valuable  substance  has  recently  been  found  in  at  least  two  pla- 
ces in  Worcester  county.  It  occurs  on  a  variety  of  the  gneiss  rock  of 
that  county  in  delicate  plumose  or  feather  form  masses  along  with 
copperas.  Both  these  substances  undoubtedly  proceed  from  the  de- 
composition of  the  rock  and  the  iron  pyrites  which  it  contains.  Hence 
as  we  know  that  artificial  means  will  aid  the  production  of  copperas 
we  have  reason  to  suppose  that  it  will  do  the  same  in  respect  to  the 
alum  as  we  know  is  done  in  other  rocks.  But  no  trial  that  I  know  of 
has  yet  been  made.  I  have  received  this  alum  from  two  places  viz. 
Leominster  and  Barre.  A  fuller  account  of  it  will  be  given  in  the_ 
third  part  of  the  report. 


Other  non-metallic  Minerals ;  either  useful  or  ornamental.     49 
Mineral  Waters. 

No  mineral  springs  of  much  notoriety  are  found  in  the  state,  al- 
though chalybeate  springs  are  very  common,  and  are  useful  in 
cutaneous  and  some  other  complaints.  Nearly  all  these  springs 
rise  in  low  ground  containing  bog  ore.  The  Hopkinton  spring  is 
of  this  description,  and  is  probably  more  resorted  to  than  any 
other  in  the  state.  This  contains,  among  other  ingredients,  car- 
bonic acid  and  carbonate  of  lime  and  iron.  The  spring  in  Brook- 
field  is  similarly  situated,  and  contains  some  magnesia  and  soda,  as 
well  as  iron.  It  is  a  place  of  some  resort.  A  mineral  spring  exists 
in  Shutesbury,  abounding  in  muriate  of  lime,  and  it  is  somewhat  visi- 
ted. Chalybeate  springs  exist  in  South  Hadley,  Deerfield,  and  in- 
deed, in  almost  every  town  in  the  state.  In  Mendon  I  was  shown  a 
mineral  well,  in  the  waters  of  which,  chemical  tests  indicate  muriate  of 
lime  and  carbonic  acid  in  a  free  state.  No  use  was  made  of  the  wa- 
ter, except  as  a  substitute  for  yeast. 

In  Williamstown  is  a  tepid  spring  very  much  resembling  that  in 
New  Lebanon,  N.  Y.  Bubbles  of  gas  are  constantly  escaping, 
which,  according  to  Prof.  Dewey,  are  atmospheric  air,  and  not  sim- 
ply nitrogen,  which  is  common  in  such  springs.  The  spring  fur- 
nishes a  convenient  place  for  a  bathing  establishment;  and  though  the  sa- 
line ingredients  are  in  small  quantity,  the  water  is  useful  in  several  cuta- 
neous disorders.  In  Adams,  Pittsfield,  and  Great  Barrington,  are 
springs  useful  for  the  same  complaints.  In  Hinsdale  is  a  spring  from 
which  issues  sulphuretted  hydrogen  ;  and  from  the  decomposition  of 
this  gas,  a  deposit  of  sulphur  is  made  upon  the  earth  around. 

Other  non-metallic  Minerals ;  either  useful  or  ornamental. 

It  may  be  well  in  this  place,  perhaps,  to  notice  briefly  a  few  other 
mineral  substances  in  the  state,  such  as  are  employed  in  Europe  for 
useful  or  ornamental  purposes.  In  this  country  the  demand  for  them 
is  yet  comparatively  small,  and  we  have  few  artists  devoted  to  their 
preparation ;  so  that  no  demand  exists  for  these  minerals,  as  is  the 
case  also  with  our  porphyries. 

In  Hatfield,  is  an  immense  quantity  of  the  sulphate  of  barytes,  of  a 
superior  quality.  Within  a  few  years,  a  patent  has  been  taken  out  in 
England,  for  the  use  of  this  substance  as  a  paint,  to  be  employed  in 
those  situations  where  lead  paint  is  liable  to  be  acted  upon  by  moist- 
ure, acids  and  other  chemical  agents.  In  such  cases  this  barytic 


50  Economical  Geology. 

paint  is  excellent.  I  have  been  in  the  habit,  for  several  years,  of  hav- 
ing various  articles  in  the  laboratory,  such  as  the  pneumatic  cistern, 
gazometer,  &c.  covered  with  it ;  and  it  answers  a  good  purpose,  al- 
though I  have  prepared  it,  not  according  to  the  patent,  but  simply  by 
grinding  it  in  a  plaster  mill  and  mixing  it  with  oil.  The  greatest  de- 
fect in  this  paint,  seems  to  be,  that  it  has  less  body  than  lead,  although 
I  doubt  not  that  a  remedy  may  be  found  for  this  difficulty.  When 
the  barytes  is  thoroughly  pulverized,  and  mixed  with  boiled  linseed 
oil  and  lampblack,  ft  is  superior  to  any  thing  I  have  ever  seen,  for 
labelling  glass  bottles,  &c.  in  a  laboratory,  and  indeed  for  any  situation 
exposed  to  active  chemical  agents. 

The  new  alkali,  lithia,  is  found  chiefly  in  two  minerals,  called  peta- 
lite  and  spodumene,  which,  in  Europe,  are  very  rare.  But  in  Mass- 
achusetts they  occur  in  very  great  quantities ;  particularly  the  latter. 
The  former  is  found  in  Bolton,  and  the  latter  in  Goshen,  Chesterfield, 
Norwich  and  Sterling.  The  lithia  can  now  be  obtained,  by  a  chem- 
ical process,  from  the  minerals  of  these  localities,  in  any  quantity  ;  and 
should  it  prove  to  be  a  useful  substance,  as  every  alkali  is  likely  to 
be,  these  minerals  may  become  an  object  of  importance. 

Among  the  minerals  in  the  State,  that  maybe  employed  by  the 
lapidaries,  for  ornamental  purposes,  may  be  mentioned  chalcedony. 
Almost  all  its  varieties  occur  in  the  greenstone  ranges,  in  the  valley 
of  the  Connecticut,  and  some  of  the  agates  which  it  forms  are  quite 
large,  and  need  only  polishing  to  be  elegant.  It  occurs  also  in  vari- 
ous other  parts  of  the  state,  and  in  masses  of  great  size,  and  it  may  be 
worthy  the  attention  of  the  lapidary. 

Agates,  both  banded  and  brecciated,  are  found  in  the  State,  made 
up  of  quartz,  hornstone,  chalcedony,  &c.  of  various  colors.  The 
largest  and  most  perfect  specimen  of  quartzose  agate  breccia,  which 
I  have  found,  was  shown  me  at  Rochester  Centre ;  and  I  was  told  it 
was  broken  from  a  much  larger  mass,  in  the  same  town. 

In  Saugus,  near  the  center,  is  a  fine  locality  of  red  jasper.  It  is 
not  unfrequently  striped,  and  if  needed  for  ornaments,  would  un- 
doubtedly admit  a  fine  polish.  The  bed  or  vein  has  not  been  ex- 
plored at  all,  except  that  a  few  fragments  have  been  broken  off  by 
the  passing  mineralogist. 

We  have  beryls,  somewhat  numerous,  and  sometimes  very  large  ; 
but  probably  they  are  not  delicate  enough,  and  are  too  much  divided 
by  seams,  to  be  employed  for  elegant  ornaments. 

A  garnet  or  cinnamon   stone  was  found  by   Professor  Webster  in 


Iron.  51 

Carlisle,  which,  in  its  natural  state,  is  a  splendid  gem*  Good  speci- 
mens, however,  cannot  now  be  obtained,  without  farther  exploration 
of  the  soil,  or  the  rock. 

The  quartz  crystals,  that  occur  at  several  localities,  are  very  per- 
fect, and  might  be  used  for  watch  seals,  ring  stones,  spectacles,  &c. ; 
those,  for  instance,  found  at  Pelham,  Southampton  and  Williams- 
burg.  The  smoky  quartz  occurs  at  a  few  localities,  and  is  fine  for 
ornaments.  At  Southampton,  Pelham  and  Middlefield,  is  found. the 
yellow  quartz,  which  in  some  instances,  can  scarcely  be  distinguish- 
ed from  genuine  topaz.  The  rose  red  quartz  occurs  at  several  places, 
as  at  Chelmsford,  Chesterfield,  Chester,  Williamsburgh  and  Bland- 
ford;  and  sometimes,  I  am  inclined  to  believe,  of  a  good  quality  to 
be  wrought  into  ornamental  articles  ;  particularly,  at  one  or  two  lo- 
calities recently  discovered.  The  amethyst,  which  occurs  in  green- 
stone, near  Connecticut  river,  is  of  a  delicate  color,  and,  if  it  can 
be  obtained  in  sufficient  quantity,  may  be  employed  in  the  ornamental 
arts. 

Some  of  the  adularia  that  is  common  in  the  gneiss  of  Brimfield, 
Southbridge,  &c.  I  presume,  would  answer  well  for  watch  seals, 
rings  and  trinkets ;  particularly,  a  greenish  variety,  occuring  near 
the  center  of  the  latter  place.  I  have  seen  an  elegant  watch  seal,  cut 
from  the  adularia  of  this  locality.  A  polished  specimen  will  be  found 
in  the  collection. 

It  ought  not  to  be  forgotten,  that  amber  has  been  found  in  Martha's 
Vineyard,  at  Gay  Head,  and  on  Nantucket.  At  the  latter  place  one 
or  two  masses  were  found,  weighing  a  pound  or  more.  The  tertiary 
formation  of  these  islands  is  precisely  the  place  where  we  might  ex- 
pect to  find  this  mineral,  especially  in  connexion  with  the  lignite. 

METALS  AND  THEIR  ORES. 

It  remains  only,  in  giving  the  economical  geology  of  Massachusetts, 
to  describe  the  metals  and  metallic  ores  which  have  been  found  in 
the  state,  and  are  applicable  to  useful  purposes.  I  shall  begin  with 
the  metal  most  abundant  and  most  useful :  viz. 

Iron. 

The  bog  iron  ore  is  most  common,  but  I  shall  give  an  account  of 
the  different  species  in  regular  order. 


52  Economical  Geology. 

Mine  of  Arsenical  Iron  and  Carbonate  of  Iron,  in  Worcester. 

In  the  town  of  Worcester,  in  mica  slate,  is  a  bed  of  these  ores, 
which  was  explored  to  some  depth,  a  number  of  years  ago,  in  search 
of  the  precious  metals.  A  little  galena  or  lead  ore  is  found  also,  in 
the  same  mine.  As  the  excavations  are  now  nearly  filled  up,  it  is 
impossible  to  judge  of  the  extent  of  this  bed. 

Arsenical  iron  is  seldom  explored  for  the  purpose  of  getting  malle- 
able iron  from  it ;  although  it  is  sometimes  employed  for  the  arsenic 
it  contains,  and  for  the  preparation  of  sulphuret  of  arsenic.  The 
carbonate  of  iron  is  an  excellent  ore ;  and  has  received  the  name  of 
steel  ore,  because  it  may  be  readily  converted  into  steel, 

Mine  of  Carbonate  of  Iron  and  Zinc,  in  Sterling. 

This  is  a  bed,  in  mica  slate,  just  like  that  at  Worcester  ;  and  was 
extensively  explored  forty  or  fifty  years  ago,  for  the  same  purpose 
which  led  to  the  opening  of  that  bed,  viz.  the  discovery  of  gold  and 
silver.  The  carbonate  is  the  most  abundant  ore,  and  lies  scattered 
about  the  excavation,  in  considerable  quantities ;  although  the  sulphu- 
ret is  common,  which  is  sometimes  arsenical.  A  reddish,  foilated  sul- 
phuret  of  Zinc  also  occurs  here,  in  considerable  quantity,  and  some 
sulphuret  of  lead.  Whether  this  mine  will  be  found  worth  exploring, 
it  is  difficult,  in  its  present  state,  to  determine.  If  it  afford  the  car- 
bonate of  iron  in  large  quantities,  it  will  certainly  repay  the  effort.  It 
lies  about  a  mile  and  a  half  south  east  of  the  center  of  the  town. 

Chromate  of  Iron. 

It  ought  to  be  recollected,  that  a  small  rounded  mass  of  this  ore, 
so  valuable  in  the  preparation  of  the  paint  called  chrome  yellow,  was 
found,  a  few  years  since,  in  Cummin gton,  by  Dr.  Porter. 

Postscript.  While  the  second  edition  of  this  Report  was  passing 
through  the  press,  I  have  discovered  the  chromate  of  Iron  in  serpen- 
tine in  Blandford.  The  serpentine  itself  has  been  brought  to  light 
since  the  printing  of  the  first  edition,  and  occurs  in  the  northwest  part 
of  this  town.  The  chromate  is  disseminated  through  the  serpentine 
and  exists  in  it  also  in  considerable  masses,  or  in  veins.  I  picked  up 
specimens  of  from  four  to  five  pounds  weight ;  but  made  no  explora- 
tion to  ascertain  the  quantity  in  the  rock.  The  mineralogical  char- 
acter of  this  mineral  will  be  reserved  for  the  third  part  of  the  report. 
It  is  hoped  that  this  notice  will  call  the  attention  of  practical  men  to 
this  locality. 


Hawley  Iron  Mine,  53 

Phosphate,  of  Iron. 

The  earthy  variety  of  this  ore  has  been  found,  in  considerable 
quantity,  at  the  mineral  spring  in  Hopkinton.  It  forms  a  bed,  one  or 
two  feet  below  the  surface  and  has  been  employed  as  a  pigment.  It 
is  said  to  exist  also  near  Plymouth. 

Sulphur et  of  Iron  or  Iron  Pyrites. 

This  is  the  yellow  ore,  so  frequently  mistaken  for  gold.  It  occurs 
more  or  less  in  almost  every  rock  ;  but  is  of  no  use,  unless  it  exists 
in  large  quantities,  and  is  of  that  variety  which  easily  decomposes. 
In  such  a  case,  it  may  be  converted  into  the  sulphate  of  iron ;  that  is, 
into  copperas.  The  ore  is  broken  up,  and  exposed  to  the  action  of 
air  and  moisture,  when  the  change  takes  place,  and  the  lixivium  is 
evaporated  to  obtain  the  copperas.  In  Massachusetts,  one  can  hardly 
avoid  meeting  with  iron  pyrites,  and  in  the  western  parj  of  Worcester 
county,  the  traveller  cannot  but  notice,  that  nearly  all  the  rocks  are 
coated  over  with  iron  rust.  This  is  the  result  of  the  decomposition 
I  have  spoken  of.  In  Hubbardston,  the  sulphate  is  so  abundant,  that 
a  manufactory  of  copperas  has  been  established,  and  I  believe  success 
has  thus  far  attended  the  enterprise.  I  should  presume,  that  copperas 
might  be  manufactured  in  several  other  towns  south  of  Hubbardston ; 
as  in  North  Brookfield  and  Southbridge,  although  the  rocks  do  not 
appear  as  highly  impregnated  with  pyrites  in  any  place  as  in  Hub- 
bardston. 

The  decomposition  of  pyrites,  in  large  quantities,  often  produces  a 
considerable  degree  of  heat ;  and  sometimes  pieces  of  rocks  are 
driven  off  with  explosion.  This  is  one  of  the  sources  of  those  numer- 
ous stories  which  one  hears  in  the  country,  concerning  noises  heard, 
and  lights  with  smoke,  seen  in  the  mountains.  Such  occurrences  ex- 
cite the  belief  of  the  existence  of  valuable  mines  in  the  vicinity ;  but 
they  evince  the  existence  of  nothing  more  than  iron  pyrites. 

Magnetic  oxide  of  Iron. 

This  is  a  valuable  ore,  affording  from  50  to  90  per  cent,  of  iron. 
It  exists  in  several  places  in  Massachusetts,  and  on  the  borders  of 
the  state. 

Hawley  Iron  Mine. 

The  principal  ore  here  is  the  magnetic  oxide,  which  is  very  good, 
and  the  bed  is  favorably  situated  for  exploration.  The  ore  does  not 


54  Economical  Geology. 

seem  to  be  abundant,  the  bed  being  rarely  more  than  one  or  two  feet 
wide.  It  has  been  wrought  to  some  extent ;  but  the  operations  are  at 
present  suspended.  It  belongs  to  Hon.  Samuel  C.  Allen.  Micaceous 
oxide  of  iron  occurs  at  the  same  bed. 

The  same  bed  of  ore  makes  its  appearance  a  mile  or  two  south  of 
the  excavation :  and  also,  as  I  have  been  told,  two  or  three  miles 
north,  in  Charlemont. 

In  Bernardston. 

As  already  remarked  in  the  postscript  to  limestome,  this  forms  a 
bed  several  feet  thick  in  limestone,  dipping  at  a  moderate  angle  to  the 
south  east.  When  the  ore  was  formerly  worked,  some  complaint  was 
made,  as  if  it  did  not  produce  the  best  of  iron.  But  probably  the 
trials  then  made  were  very  imperfect.  The  ore  is  doubtless  very 
abundant,  and,  I  should  think  well  worthy  the  attention  of  the  iron 
manufacturer. 

In  Somerset,  Vt. 

This  bed  is  similarly  situated  to  that  in  Hawley,  and  in  the  same 
range  of  talcose  slate,  although  twenty  miles  north  of  the  north  line 
of  Massachusetts.  The  ore,  yielding  78  per  cent  of  iron,  is  of  the 
first  quality ;  and  this  spot  is  peculiarly  interesting  on  another  ac- 
count, to  which  I  shall  refer  in  the  sequel. 

In  Winchester,  N.  H. 

This  bed  is  only  two  or  three  miles  north  of  the  line  of  Massa- 
chusetts, and  the  ore  is  said  to  be  abundant,  though  for  some  reason 
the  working  of  it  has  ceased.  The  ore  very  much  resembles  that 
from  Franconia  in  New  Hampshire. 

In  Cumberland,  R.  I. 

Dr.  Robinson  says  that  he  has  obtained  magnetic  oxide  of  iron, 
from  "  most  of  the  thirteen  mine  holes"  which  he  visited  in  that  town. 
But  the  principal  bed  of  ore,  lies  about  two  miles  north  east  of  the 
meeting  house,  and  constitutes  a  large  hill.  It  is  obtained  with  great 
facility  by  blasting.  It  contains  however  several  foreign  minerals, 
so  that  as  it  is  now  worked,  it  yields  only  about  30  per  cent  of  iron. 
This  is  probably  far  less  than  it  contains  ;  for  it  has  a  high  specific 
gravity.  The  ore  is  smelted  principally  in  Massachusetts.  It  is 
owned  by  General  Leach  of  Easton,  and  will  furnish  an  inexhausti- 
ble supply. 


Brown  Oxide  of  Iron.  55 

Magnetic  oxide  of  iron  is  found  at  other  places  in  Massachusetts  j 
as  at  Woburn,  in  a  vein  of  greenstone,  associated  with  sulphuret  of 
copper  ;  but  at  none  of  the  localities,  in  quantity  sufficient  to  make 
it  an  object  for  the  miner. 

Micaceous  oxide  of  Iron. 

This  ore,  which  is  found  abundantly  at  Hawley  with  the  magnetic 
oxide,  furnishes  perhaps  the  most  elegant  specimens  in  the  world ; 
and  I  know  not  why  it  should  not  produce  good  iron.  Indeed,  I  be- 
lieve it  has  been  smelted  within  a  few  years,  along  with  the  magnetic 
oxide. 

Vein  of  micaceous  oxide  in  Montague. 

Near  the  mouth  of  Miller's  river  is  a  hill  of  considerable  extent, 
which  appears  to  be  traversed  by  numerous  veins  of  this  ore.  The 
largest  which  comes  in  sight,  is  in  the  south  east  part  of  the  hill,  at 
the  top  of  a  ledge  of  mica  slate  and  granite,  and  is  several  feet  in 
width.  It  is  favourably  situated  for  exploration,  and  unless  the  ore  is 
injured  by  an  occasional  mixture  of  sulphuret  of  iron,  I  do  not  see 
why  it  might  not  be  profitably  wrought.  Wood  is  very  abundant  in 
the  vicinity,  and  it  is  not  far  from  Connecticut  river.  Good  mica- 
ceous oxide  of  iron,  yields  about  70  per  cent,  of  excellent  iron. 

According  to  Professor  Webster,  thin  veins  of  micaceous  iron  ore, 
exist  in  the  porphyry  of  Maiden,  which  were  formerly  wrought  to 
some  extent.  It  occurs  also  in  graywacke,  at  Brighton,  and  in  green- 
stone at  Charlestown,  according  to  the  Messrs.  Danas. 

Hydrate  of  Iron. 

Several  varieties  of  ore  heretofore  regarded  as  distinct  species  have 
lately  been  brought  together  under  this  name.  It  embraces  brown 
and  red  oxides,  and  the  argillaceous  oxides,  and  of  course  compre- 
hends the  greater  part  of  the  iron  ores  in  the  State.  I  shall  describe 
the  different  varieties  under  the  names  that  have  been  most  common^ 
ly  applied  to  them. 

Beds  of  "Brown  oxide  of  Iron. 

This  ore  is  of  an  excellent  quality,  and  it  occurs  in  the  loose  soil 
above  the  rocks,  so  as  to  be  easily  obtained.  Hence  it  is  used  to  a 
greater  extent,  perhaps,  in  our  country,  than  any  other  variety.  A 
very  extensive  series  of  beds  of  this  ore,  accompanies  the  limestone 
that  is  so  abundant  along1  the  western  margin  of  Connecticut,  Massa- 


56  Economical  Geology. 

chusetts,  and  Vermont ;  although,  as  the  beds  lie  upon  the  clay  that 
is  deposited  above  all  the  solid  rocks,  they  have  no  necessary  connec- 
tion with  the  limestone. 

Beds  in  Lenox. 

These  have  been  explored  to  some  extent  in  the  village,  and  a  mile 
or  two  farther  west.  The  ore  is  good,  I  believe,  but  at  present  it  is 
not  used* 

Beds  in  Richmond. 

These  appear  to  be  numerous  and  extensive.  They  are  wrought 
to  some  extent. 

Bed  in  West  Stockbridge. 

This  furnishes  good  ore,  and  is  explored  more  extensively  than  any 
other  I  saw  in  the  county.  The  farmer  who  owns  it  receives  thirty 
seven  cents  and  a  half  per  ton,  of  those  who  dig  it. 

In  Salisbury,  Ct. 

The  beds  here  are  very  large,  and  have  been  extensively  explored. 
The  Salisbury  iron  is 'known  far  and  wide. 

In  Bennington,  Vt. 

Here  also  the  same  ore  is  dug  to  some  extent ;  and  these  beds 
seem  to  deserve  a  notice,  because  they  lie,  like  those  in  Salisbury, 
upon  the  borders  of  Massachusetts. 

In  all  the  beds  of  brown  oxide  of  iron  mentioned  above,  we  find 
the  brown  haematite  in  all  its  forms,  the  compact  variety,  and  the 
ochrey  brown  oxide,  or  yellow  ochre.  Manganese  also  is  found  in 
them  all,  and  at  Bennington  in  large  quantities  ;  although  I  have 
been  told,  that  this  locality  is  nearly  exhausted.  It  was  of  a  supe- 
rior quality. 

The  red  oxide  of  iron  is  found,  in  comparatively  small  quantities, 
at  the  localities  above  mentioned.  It  exists,  also,  in  other  places  in 
the  State,  and  especially  at  Con  way,  with  manganese ;  although  it  is 
not,  as  yet,  found  in  large  quantities.  Argillaceous  oxide  of  iron  is 
likewise  found  at  most  of  the  hematite  beds  above  described. 

In  Cranston,  R.  I. 
Prom  this  place  General  Leach  procures,  as  he  told  me,  very  ex- 


Bog  Ore.  57 

cellent  brown  oxide  of  iron,  for  the  supply  of  some  of  his  furnaces 
in  Massachusetts ;  and  he  represents  the  bed  as  inexhaustible. 

Argillaceous  Oxide  of  Iron. 

This  is  the  most  common  species  of  iron  ore  in  Massachusetts. 
There  are  several  varieties  found  here.  On  Nantucket  and  Martha's 
Vineyard,  particularly  at  Gay  Head,  we  find  the  nodular,  columnar, 
mamillary,  pisiform,  and  ochrey  varieties.  On  the  Vineyard  these 
varieties  are  abundant  enough  to  be  an  object  for  the  manufacturer  ; 
and  during  the  last  war,  I  was  told,  they  were  employed  in  the  fur- 
naces on  the  continent.  In  a  pond,  in  Sharon,  has  been  found  the 
lenticular  variety  of  this  ore. 

Bog  Ore. 

This  variety  of  the  argillaceous  oxide,  is  far  more  abundant  than 
any  other,  and  has  been  used  extensively  in  the  manufacture  of  cast 
iron ;  for  which  it  is  chiefly  adapted.  In  the  following  towns  it  is 
found  in  large  quantities :  viz.  Groton,  North,  West,  and  South 
Brookfield,  Carver,  Hopkinton,  Hardwick,  New  Braintree,  Oakham, 
Berlin,  Sturbridge,  Southbridge,  Freetown,  Dartmouth,  Rochester, 
Troy,  Easton  and  Sharon ;  and  in  the  following,  it  exists  in  greater 
or  less  quantities;  in  Middleborough,  Maiden,  Seekonk,  Sheffield,  Tem- 
pleton,  Warwick,  Williamstown,  Greenfield,  Northampton,  Spring- 
field, Williamsburg,  Dalton,  Holland,  Wales,  Norton,  Mansfield, 
Bridgewater,  Stoughton,  Spencer,  Gloucester,  and  on  Martha's  Vin- 
yard ;  indeed  I  can  hardly  doubt  that  more  or  less  of  this  ore  may  be 
found  in  nearly  every  town  in  the  State.  It  was  so  common  that,  at 
length  I  ceased  to  inquire  for  it,  and  the  localities  are  so  numerous 
that  I  have  not  attempted  to  exhibit  them  all  upon  the  Map. 

It  ought  to  be  recollected,  that  the  process  by  which  bog  ore  is  de- 
posited, is  in  many  places  now  going  on,  particularly  at  the  bottom 
of  ponds.  The  interval  between  one  dredging  and  another,  was  so 
variously  stated  to  me,  that  I  suspect  it  differs  greatly  in  different  pla- 
ces. I  presume,  however,  that  it  ought  never  to  be  less  than  twenty 
years.  But  the  fact,  that  there  will  be  a  renewal  of  the  deposit  after  a 
certain  time  is  interesting ;  because  it  shows  that  this  mineral  can 
never  be  entirely  exhausted. 

Gen.  Shepard  Leach,  of  Easton,  is  the  most  extensively  engaged 
in  the  iron  manufactory  of  any  man  in  the  Commonwealth.  He  owns 
one  blast  and  three  air  furnaces  in  Easton  ;  one  blast  furnace  in  Fox- 


58  .        Economical  Geology. 

borough,  and  another  in  Walpole ;  and  two  blast  furnaces  and  four  air 
furnaces,  in  Chelmsford.  In  these  he  employs  not  far  from  five  hun- 
dred men.  He  generally  mixes  the  different  sorts  of  ore,  or  at  least, 
two  or  three  of  them  together  for  smelting.  Extensive  iron  works 
are  also  carried  on  in  Wareham.  Several  furnaces  exist  in  Berk- 
shire, and  a  few  in  Worcester  county. 

The  preceding  view  of  our  deposits  of  iron,  demonstrates  that  we 
abound  in  this  useful  metal,  and  that  the  demand  for  centuries  to  come, 
cannot  exhaust  it. 

Ochres,  fyc.  used  as  paints. 

There  are  two  kinds  of  ochre,  the  red  and  the  yellow,  which  are 
merely  pulverulent  varieties  of  the  red  and  brown  oxide  of  iron.  The 
yellow  ochre  is  abundant  with  our  haematite  and  argillaceous  ores, 
and  is  frequently  employed  as  a  pigment.  According  to  Mr.  C.  T. 
Jackson,  red  ochre  occurs  in  Eoylston  in  a  bed  four  or  five  inches 
thick,  mixed  with  clay.  It  has  already  been  mentioned,  that  the  earthy 
phosphate  of  iron  in  Hopkinton,  is  employed  as  a  blue  paint.  Prof. 
Dewey  mentions  that  a  yellow  earth  is  found  in  Williamstown,  from 
which  great  quantities  of  yellow  ochre  are  obtained  by  washing.  Dr. 
J.  Porter  states,  that  yellow  earth  occurs  in  Monroe,  which,  when 
purified,  affords  a  "pale  red  paint."  The  process  of  preparing  it  he 
says  is  now  suspended  for  want  of  a  demand. 

Lead. 

Several  ores  of  this  metal  are  enumerated  by  mineralogists,  as  oc- 
curring in  Massachusetts ;  but  none  is  found  m  sufficient  quantity 
to  render  it  of  any  statistical  interest,  except  the  sulphuret,  commonly 
called  galena ;  and  all  the  important  veins  of  this  species  are  confint- 
ed  to  the  vicinity  of  the  Connecticut  river.  No  fewer  than  thirteen 
of  these  occur  in  that  region  of  sufficient  importance  to  deserve  notice. 
All  these  are  in  mica  slate  or  granite ;  or  they  pass  from  the  one 
rock  into  the  other. 

In  Southampton. 

The  vein  in  the  northern  part  of  this  town  has  attracted  more  atten- 
tion than  any  other  in  the  region,  and  has  been  several  times  de- 
scribed. It  is  six  or  eight  feet  wide,  where  it  has  been  explored,  and 
traverses  granite  and  mica  slate,  the  matrix  or  gangue  containing  the 
ore,  being  a  mixture  of  quartz  and  sulphate  of  barytes.  It  has  been 


Lead.  59 

opened  forty  or  fifty  feet  deep,  in  several  places,  and  masses  of  ore 
were  dug  out  from  half  an  inch  to  a  foot  in  diameter.  As  the  vein  de- 
scends almost  perpendicularly  into  the  rock,  water  soon  accumulated 
in  such  quantities,  as  induced  the  proprietors  to  attempt  reaching  the 
vein  by  a  horizontal  drift  or  adit,  from  the  bottom  of  the  hill  to  the 
east.  This  was  a  prodigious  undertaking,  as  the  opening  must  be 
carried  nearly  a  quarter  of  a  mile  into  the  solid  rock.  It  was  perse- 
vered in  however,  at  a  great  expense,  for  a  distance  of  nearly  nine 
hundred  feet,  when  one  of  the  principal  miners  having  died,  and  the 
price  of  lead  having  fallen  two  or  three  hundred  per  cent,  all  opera- 
tions were  suspended,  and  I  believe  the  proprietors  wish  to  dispose  of 
the  mine.  Had  they  continued  this  drift  a  few  feet  farther,  there  is 
every  probability  that  the  principal  vein  would  have  been  struck,  from 
one  hundred  and  fifty  to  two  hundred  feet  below  the  surface.  Per- 
haps, however,  the  work  cannot  be  successfully  and  profitably  resum- 
ed, until  the  market  shall  cease  to  be  glutted  with  lead  from  Missou- 
ri ;  but  as  there  can  be  little  doubt,  that  immense  quantities  of  ore  may 
be  obtained  at  this  spot,  it  may  then  probably  be  explored  with  advan- 
tage. I  do  not  doubt,  however  that  those  who  first  examined  this 
mine  were  mistaken  in  the  opinion  that  this  vein  extends  from  Mont- 
gomery to  Hatfield,  a  distance  of  twenty  miles.  Lead  may  indeed 
be  found  at  intervals  along  a  line  connecting  those  places.  But  I 
have  every  reason  to  suppose,  that  it  proceeds  from  several  distinct 
and  independent  veins. 

The  principal  ore  above  described  is  the  sulphuret ;  but  there  have 
been  found  here  also,  the  carbonate,  sulphate,  molybdate,  muriate  and 
phosphate  of  lead,  along  with  the  sulphuret  of  zinc,  pyritous  copper, 
and  fluor  spar.  Mineralogists  will  greatly  regret,  that  mining  opera- 
lions  have  been  suspended  here,  because  they  were  anticipating  the 
development  of  rich  specimens  of  these  and  other  minerals. 

Another  vein  of  galena  exists  in  the  south  part  of  Southampton, 
near  the  line  of  Montgomery.  It  appears  for  several  rods  on  the 
surface,  but  is  only  a  foot  or  two  in  breadth.  A  few  years  ago,  efforts 
were  made  to  open  this  vein  by  a  horizontal  adit,  but  the  proprietors 
have  become  discouraged  and  abandoned  the  undertaking. 

In  Northampton. 

This  vein  is  only  a  short  distance  north  of  the  principal  vein  in 
Southampton,  above  described.  The  gangue  is.  radiated  quartz,  and 
the  walls  are  mica  slate.  Yellow  blende  or  sulphuret  of  zinc  abounds 


60  Economical  Geology. 

here ;  and  the  vein  was  formerly  explored  to  a  considerable  depth, 
It  is  several  feet  wide. 

In  West  Hampton. 

This  vein  has  been  usually  described  as  existing  in  Williamsburg 
and  extending  into  Northampton :  But  so  far  as  it  exhibits  itself  at 
the  surface'  it  lies  wholly  in  West  Hampton — in  quite  the  north  east 
part  of  the  town,  only  a  few  rods  from  the  Northampton  line,  and  but 
half  a  mile  from  that  of  Williamsburg.  The  gangue  is  quartz,  and 
the  vein  is  several  feet  wide,  and  may  be  traced  30  or  40  rods.  But 
the  quantity  of  galena  is  small  at  the  surface. 

In  Williamsburg. 

A  vein  of  galena  lies  near  the  north-eastern  part  of  this  town,  and 
probably  extends  into  Whately.  It  is  two  or  three  feet  wide,  and  the 
gangue,  as  in  nearly  every  other  vein  of  lead  in  this  region,  is  quartz. 
Manganese  is  found  in  the  same  gangue. 

A  second  vein  of  quartz  with  galena  occurs  in  this  town,  a  mile 
or  two  north  east  of  the  one  last  mentioned.  The  quartz,  however, 
appears  only  in  loose  masses  on  the  surface,  but  to  such  an  extent,  as 
can  be  explained  only  on  the  supposition,  that  a  vein  exists  in  the  rock 
beneath  the  soil.  Pyritous  copper  is  found  in  connexion  with  the  ga- 
lena at  this  place. 

In  Goshen. 

According  to  the  statements  of  Mr.  Alanson  Nash,  who  has  given 
a  map  and  description  of  the  lead  veins  and  mines  of  Hampshire 
county,  in  the  twelfth  volume  of  the  American  Journal  of  Science, 
the  same  indications  of  a  galena  vein  appear  a  little  west  of  the  center 
of  Goshen,  as  those  mentioned  in  respect  to  the  third  vein  in  Williams- 
burg just  noticed,  viz.  the  occurrence  of  masses  of  quartz  containing 
galena.  The  rock  in  the  region  is  mica  slate  and  quartz. 

In   Whately. 

In  this  town  are  three  distinct  veins  containing  lead.  One  is  about 
half  a  mile  east  of  the  first  vein  described  in  Williamsburgh.  It  ex- 
tends a  short  distance  into  Williamsburgh,  and  more  than  a  mile  into 
Whately.  In  its  whole  course,  but  particularly  at  its  southern  part, 
it  contains  oxide  of  manganese  along  with  galena. 

A  second  vein,  three  or  four  feet  wide,  exists  in  a  high  ridge  of 


Lead.  61 

granite  towards  the  south  west  part  of  the  town.     It  may  be  traced 
along  this  ridge  about  three  quarters  of  a  mile. 

The  third  vein  is  in  the  north  west  part  of  the  town,  extending 
some  distance  into  Conway.  Galena,  in  quartz,  ia  the  only  ore  that 
appears  on  the  surface.  The  width  of  the  vein  is  six  or  seven  feet,  and 
it  traverses  both  granite  and  mica  slate.  It  runs  along  the  western 
margin  of  a  high  hill,  so  that  if  it  should  ever  be  explored,  a  lateral 
drift  would  be  easily  made. 

In  Hatfield. 

About  two  miles  west  of  the  village  in  this  town,  we  find  a  vein  of 
sulphate  of  barytes,  from  one  to  four  feet  wide  at  the  surface,  running 
in  a  north-westerly  direction  and  containing  galena.  A  shaft  has 
been  sunk  in  two  places,  from  fifteen  to  twenty  feet  deep ;  and  the 
vein  was  found  rapidly  to  widen  in  descending.  The  immense  quan- 
tity of  barytes  found  here,  gives  the  locality  a  peculiar  interest  to  the 
mineralogist. 

In  Leverett. 

Although  this  town  lies  on  the  eastern  side  of  Connecticut  river, 
yet  the  granite  and  mica  slate,  occurring  there,  exactly  resemble  the 
same  rocks  found  on  the  west  side  of  the  river ;  and  there  can  be  no 
doubt  that  both  belong  to  the  same  general  formation.  Two  veins, 
the  ore  being  chiefly  galena,  are  found  of  precisely  the  same  charac- 
ter as  those  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river.  That  in  the  south  east 
part  of  the  town  is  in  granite,  not  more  than  a  foot  or  two  wide  at  the 
surface,  and  the  gangue  is  sulphate  of  barytes.  The  other  is  a  mile 
and  a  half  to  the  north  of  the  first ;  the  gangue  is  quartz,  and  there 
is  almost  an  equal  quantity  of  galena  and  pyritous  copper ;  blende 
also  occurs  in  small  quantities.  This  vein  is  several  feet  wide,  and 
runs  through  granite  and  mica  slate,  Both  this  and  the  one  first 
mentioned,  have  been  explored  to  the  depth  of  a.  few  feet. 

It  is  impossible  to  form  any  confident  opinion  as  to  the  probable 
quantity  of  lead,  which  is  contained  in  the  several  veins  which  have 
been  described,  except,  perhaps,  in  regard  to  that  in  Southampton, 
which  has  been  explored  to  a  considerable  extent.  In  many  instances 
appearances  at  the  surface  are  quite  favorable  ;  but  whether  the  veins 
become  wider,  like  that  in  Hatfield,  or  narrower,  as  they  descend, 
can  be  determined  only  by  actual  exploration.  Of  one  thing,  howev- 
er, I  think  we  may  be  assured,  from  the  facts  that  have  been  stated ; 


62  Economical  Geology. 

viz.  that  the  central  parts  of  Hampshire  county  contain  extensive  de- 
posits of  lead,  which  may  be  of  great  value  to  posterity,  if  not  to  the 
present  generation.  Probably  many  more  veins  will  hereafter  be  dis- 
covered, since  little  examination  has  been  made  with  a  view  to  bring 
them  to  Kght. 

Copper. 

This  valuable  metal  occurs  in  numerous  places  near  the  junction 
of  the  greenstone  and  sandstone,  in  the  valley  of  the  Connecticut,  be- 
tween New  Haven  and  Vermont.  Several  veins  of  copper  ore  are 
found  in  Connecticut ;  and  the  only  one  in  that  state,  that  has  been 
explored  to  any  considerable  extent,  lies  on  the  borders  of  Massachu- 
setts, viz.  in  Granby.  It  has  long  been  known  under  the  name  of 
Simsbury  mines,  although  it  is  within  the  limits  of  Granby.  Many 
years  ago,  before  the  war  of  the  revolution,  I  believe,  this  vein  was 
explored  to  a  considerable  extent.  Afterwards  the  Government  of 
Connecticut  made  use  of  the  abandoned  shafts  and  galleries  for  a 
State  prison.  Since  the  removal  of  this  prison  to  Wethersfield,  the 
exploration  has  been  resumed,  by  a  new  company,  I  believe,  and,  as 
1  am  informed  by  the  agent,  with  success.  The  principal  part  of  the 
ore  is  the  red  oxide,  associated,  however,  with  green  carbonate. 

In  Greenfield. 

In  the  north-eastern  part  of  this  town,  on  the  banks  of  the  Connec- 
ticut river,  are  two  veins  of  copper,  about  a  mile  apart*;  the  most  north- 
ern one  being  about  one  hundred  rods  below  the  mouth  of  a  small 
stream,  called  Fall  river,  and  the  same  distance  in  a  direct  line  from 
the  cataract  in  Connecticut  river,  sometimes  called  Miller's  Falls ; 
but  lately,  and  more  appropriately,  Turner's  Falls.  These  veins 
are  several  feet  in  width,  and  they  pass  into  a  hill  of  greenstone 
on  one  hand,  and  under  the  river,  on  the  other  hand,  into  sandstone. 
The  gangue  is  sulphate  of  barytes  and  toadstone,  and  the  ores  are  the 
green  carbonate  and  pyritous  copper.  Actual  exploration  alone  can 
determine  whether  these  veins  might  be  profitably  worked. 

On  the  most  southern  of  the  small  islands,  in  the  middle  of  Tur- 
ner's Falls,  has  been  found  pyritous  copper,  of  a  rich  quality,  and 
in  considerable  quantity.  Indeed  several  varieties  of  the  sandstone 
rocks  in  the  vicinity,  appear  to  be  considerably  impregnated  with 
copper. 

Pyritous  copper  is  associated  with  iron,  in  a  vein,  in  greenstone, 


7/4  Plainfield  63 

at  Woburn ;  but  not,  probably,  in  a  sufficient  quantity,  to  be  worth 
mining.  At  several  places  in  Cumberland  R.  I,  where  excavations 
were  formerly  made,  are  found  gray  oxide  of  copper  and  pyritous 
copper  with  the  green  and  blue  carbonates. 

Zinc. 

The  sulphuret  of  this  mineral  occurs,  as  has  already  been  noti- 
ced, in  several  of  the  lead  veins  in  Hampshire  County,  and  in  some 
of  them  in  sufficient  quantity,  no  doubt,  to  be  wrought  with  advantage, 
should  these  veins  be  ever  opened.  Those  in  Southampton,  Hatfield 
and  Leverett,  abound  most  in  this  ore.  It  is  useful  in  the  manufac- 
ture of  brass  and  white  vitriol. 

Manganese. 

In  a  metallic  state  this  mineral  is  of  no  use  ;  and  indeed,  it  is  reduced 
to  that  state  with  great  difficulty.  But  in  the  state  of  oxide,  it  is 
extensively  employed,  both  to  remove  color  from  g-lass  and  to  im- 
part colors  ;  also  in  painting  porcelain  and  glazing  pottery,  and  still 
more  extensively  within  a  few  years,  in  the  manufacture  of  the 
chloride  of  lime,  now  so  generally  used  in  bleaching  and  for  disin- 
fection. 

At  least  three  ores  of  manganese  abound  in  the  western  part  of 
Massachusetts  and  on  the  borders  of  New  Hampshire.  It  has  been 
already  remarked,  that  more  or  less  of  the  gray  oxide  exists  in  the 
iron  beds  of  Berkshire  and  Bennington,  Vt.  In  the  vicinity  of  Con- 
necticut River,  however,  or  rather  on  the  eastern  slope  of  Hoosac 
mountain,  distinct  veins  and  beds  of  manganese  are  found. 

In  Plainjield. 

Beds  of  the  oxide  of  manganese  occur  in  two  places  in  this  town — 
one  a  mile  west  of  the  center,  and  the  other  near  the  south-west  cor- 
ner of  the  town ;  and  both  in  talcose  slate.  Two  ore  s  are  associ- 
ated at  both  these  places,  viz.  the  common  gray  or  blac  k  oxide  and 
the  silicious  oxide ;  the  former  investing  the  latter  as  a  black  crust, 
and  most  probably  proceeding  from  its  decomposition ;  while  the 
latter,  when  newly  broken,  is  of  a  delicate  rose  red.  I  suspect  the 
silicious  oxide  predominates  at  these  places ;  and  from  these  beds, 
probably  came  by  diluvial  action,  those  numerous  rounded  masses 
of  silicious  oxide  in  the  vicinity  of  Cummington  meeting  house  ;  al- 
though a  deep  valley  intervenes  and  the  distance  is  three  or  four 


64  Economical  Geology. 

miles.  An  attempt  was  made,  some  years  ago,  to  explore  one  of 
these  beds,  under  the  impression  that  the  ore  was  iron.  But  how 
extensive  either  of  them  is,  it  is  difficult  to  determine,  as  each  seems 
to  consist  of  a  number  of  small  beds — or  rather  the  ore  is  interlam- 
mated  with  the  slate.  The  occurrence  of  so  much  silicious  oxide 
at  these  localities,  is  very  interesting  to  the  mineralogist,  because  this 
ore  is  so  rare  in  Europe. 

In  Conway. 

A  distinct  vein  of  the  black  oxide  of  manganese  several  feet  wide 
occurs  in  the  southeast  part  of  this  town,  the  gangue  being  quartz. 
It  has  not  been  explored  at  all ;  nor  is  the  manganese  ore  very 
abundant  at  the  surface.  I  do  not  doubt  however,  that  this  ore  may 
be  found  here  in  large  quantities. 

In  Hinsdale,  N.  H. 

An  extensive  bed  or  vein  of  the  black  oxide,  and  ferra  silicate  of 
manganese  have  been  found  in  this  town.  It  appears  near  the  top  of 
a  hill  and  the  adjacent  rocks  are  not  visible. 

In  Winchester  N.  H. 

Between  one  and  two  miles  east  of  the  center  village  in  this  town, 
may  be  seen  in  large  quantities  of  the  black  oxide  and  ferra  silicate  of 
this  metal  of  the  same  character  as  in  Hinsdale.  These  localities 
have,  as  yet,  attracted  no  attention  except  from  a  few  mineralogists. 
My  information  and  specimens  were  furnished  me  by  Mr.  John  L. 
Alexander  of  Winchester. 

Tin. 

I  am  able  to  say  with  perfect  confidence  that  this  interesting  metal 
exists  in  Massachusetts  ;  but  can  add  little  more.  I  found  only  a  sin- 
gle crystal  of  its  oxide,  weighing  50  grains.  But  this  I  dug  myself 
from  a  block  of  granite  in  the  north  east  part  of  Goshen,  and  on  re- 
ducing it  to  metallic  tin,  it  corresponds  exactly  in  every  respect  with 
that  metal  from  England.  I  have  never  been  able  to  find  any  more 
specimens,  but  it  ought  to  be  borne  in  mind  that  in  England,  accord- 
ing to  a  geological  writer  of  that  country,  "  it  is  generally  in  the  vi- 
cinity of  a  vein  of  tin  ore,  that  disseminated  grains  of  tinstone  are 
found  in  the  rock/' 


Gold.  65 

Mohs,  in  his  Mineralogy,  mentions  that  some  small  crystals  of  tin 
were  found  in  specimens  sent  to  Europe  from  Chesterfield,  Mass. 

Silver, 

The  only  place  in  the  state  where  this  metal  has  been  discovered, 
is  at  the  Southampton  lead  mine ;  it  there  exists  in  a  small  proportion 
— only  12  1-2  ounces  to  the  ton, — inthegalena.  This  is  a  little  great- 
er than  the  average  proportion  in  the  English  lead  ores ;  but  it  is 
hardly  worth  the  labor  of  separating  it.  It  is  not  improbable  that  when 
several  other  ores  in  the  state,  such  as  arsenical  iron,  sulphuret  of  iron 
and  of  zinc,  shall  be  accurately  analyzed,  they  will  be  found,  as  in  other 
countries,  to  contain  a  larger  proportion  of  silver.  I  would,  however, 
rather  discourage  than  encourage,  farther  researches  for  this  metal; 
fo  r  as  I  shall  soon  have  occasion  to  state  more  fully,  greater  expense 
has  been  incurred,  and  more  weakness  and  folly  exhibited  in  such  re- 
searches, than  the  community  is  generally  aware  o£ 

Gold, 

It  may  perhaps  excite  a  smile,  to  see  gold  occupying  a  place  in  a 
description  of  the  minerals  of  Massachusetts.  It  has  not  indeed  been 
found  in  this  state;  but  I  am  able  in  this  place,  to  announce  the  exis- 
tence of  a  deposit  of  this  metal,  in  the  southern  pait  of  Vermont; 
and  I  feel  no  small  degree  of  confidence,  that  it  will  be  found  in  Mas- 
sachusetts. A  statement  of  the  grounds  of  this  belief!  may  save  me 
from  the  charge  of  extravagant  expectations. 

I  have  already  described  an  iron  mine,  as  occurring  in  Somerset, 
Vermont.  It  is  owned  by  S.  V.  S.  Wilder,  Esq.  of  Brooklyn,  New 
York,  who  has  erected  a  bloomery  forge  near  the  spot.  Sometime  ago, 
one  of  the  workmen  engaged  in  these  iron  works,  saw  in  the  American 
Journal  of  Science,  a  suggestion  of  Professor  Eaton  of  Troy,  that 
since  the  gold  of  the  Southern  states,  and  of  Mexico,  is  in  talcose 
slate,  we  might  expect  to  find  it  in  the  same  rock  in  New  England : 
especially  about  the  head  branches  of  Deerfield  river.  He  commen- 
ced an  examination  in  a  brook  near  the  mine,  and  was  soon  rewarded 
by  the  discovery  of  a  spherical  mass  of  gold,  of  the  value  of  more 
than  a  dollar ;  afterwards  he  found  other  small  pieces.  At  the  request 
of  Mr.  Wilder,  I  visited  this  spot  a  few  weeks  ago,  and  found  that 
an  individual  conversant  with  the  gold  mines  in  the  Southern  States, 
and  acquainted  with  the  process  of  washing  the  metal  from  the  soil, 
had  just  been  examining  the  region  now  spoken  o£  The  result 

9 


66  Economical  Geology. 

was  a  conviction,  that  over  several  hundred  acres  at  least,  gold  was 
common  in  the  soil.  In  a  bushel  of  dirt  collected  in  various  places, 
he  found  about  three  pennyweights  of  very  pure  gold.  Mr.  Wilder 
proceeded  himself  to  exhibit  to  me  an  ocular  demonstration  of  the  ex- 
istence of  gold  in  the  soil,  by  washing  for  it.  From  about  six  quarts 
of  dirt,  taken  a  foot  below  the  surface,  we  obtained  (although  not  very 
skilful  in  manipulations  of  this  sort)  twenty  or  thirty  small  pieces, 
weighing  about  seven  grains.  Indeed,  by  the  aid  of  my  knife,  I  picked 
two  or  three  pieces  from  the  dirt. 

The  iron  ore  is  in  beds  in  distinct  talcose  slate ;  and  a  considerable 
part  of  the  ore  is  the  hydrous,  and  contained  in  a  porous  quartz. 
In  this  quartz,  were  found  several  spherical  pieces  of  gold,  scarcely 
larger  than  a  pigeon  shot.  It  exists,  also  as  in  the  Southern  States, 
in  finer  particles  in  the  yellowish  iron  ore.  And  specimens  of  the 
quartz  and  iron  at  this  place,  cannot  be  distinguished  from  what  is 
called  gold  ore,  at  the  gold  mines  in  Virginia,  and  North  Carolina. 
Indeed,  a  suite  of  specimens  from  the  Somerset  iron  mine,  could  not 
be  distinguished,  except  by  labels,  from  a  similar  suite  from  the 
south. 

In  every  case  in  which  gold  has  been  found  at  this  place,  in  the 
soil,  it  was  accompanied  by  more  or  less  of  iron  sand,  and  some  dis- 
tance north  of  the  mine,  neither  could  be  found ;  but  how  far  to  the 
South  and  East  it  occurs,  has  not  been  ascertained.  I  am  inclined 
however  to  believe,  that  the  gold  at  this  locality,  will  be  found  to  be 
always  associated  with  the  iron. 

We  were  told  at  Somerset,  that  several  years  ago,  a  mass  of  gold 
was  found  in  the  bed  of  Deerfield  river,  three  or  four  miles  to  the 
south  of  the  mine,  which  was  sold  for  sixty  eight  dollars,  and  we  had 
no  reason  to  doubt  the  statement.  Certain  it  is,  that  a  few  years  since 
a  piece  was  discovered  by  Gen.  Field,  weighing  eight  and  a  half 
ounces,  in  New  Fane,  a  town  twelve  or  fifteen  miles  east  of  Somer- 
erset. 

Upon  the  whole,  it  appears  to  me  that  the  facts  above  stated  justify 
the  conclusion,  that  there  exists  a  gold  region  in  the  lower  part  of 
Vermont,  of  considerable  extent  and  richness.  It  may  be  found  to  be 
very  extensive,  and  probably  it  is  not  confined  exclusively  to  the  tal- 
cose slate  formation  ;  for  New  Fane,  I  believe  contains  but  little  of 
this  rock.  The  region  west  of  Somerset  is  little  known ;  the  iron 
mine  there,  lies  at  the  foot  of  the  Green  Mountains,  and  it  is  chiefly 


Gold.  67 

a  mountain  wilderness  for  sixteen  or  seventeen  miles  west  of  this 
spot. 

The  talcose  slate  formation,   containing  the  iron  and  gold  in  Som- 
erset, extends  southerly,  nearly  across  the  State  of  Massachusetts ; 
passing  through  the  towns  of  Howe,  Charlemont,  the  settlement  called 
Zoar,  Florida,  Savoy,  Hawley,  Plainfield,  Cummington,  Worthington, 
Middlefield,  &c.     Indeed,  I  know  of  no  place,  where  the  formation 
is  so  perfectly  developed  in  its  characters,  as  in  Hawley  and  Plain- 
field.     There  is  then,  surely,  as  much  ground  for  presuming  that 
gold  will  he  found  in  Massachusetts,  as  there  was  for  predicting  its 
discovery  in  Vermont.     If  an  iron  mine  and  porous  quartz,  with  hy- 
drous iron,  he  necessary,  we  have  these  in  Hawley,  in  the  talcose 
slate.     And  it  ought  to  be  recollected,  that  the  Vermont  gold  was 
found  at  the  source  of  Deerfield  river,  and  that  this  stream  runs  di- 
rectly south  into  Massachusetts ;  and  it  would  be  rather  strange,  if 
so  violent  a  torrent,  did  not  carry  some  of  the  diluvium,  containing 
gold,  at  least  as  far  as  the  limits  of  this  state.     The  places  where  I  sup- 
pose  gold   might   be  found,  in  Massachusetts,  is  in  the  vicinity  of 
the  Hawley  iron  mine,  or  the  Plainfield  beds  of  manganese,  or  along 
the  banks  of  Deerfield  river,  in  Monroe,   Florida,  Zoar,  and  Charle- 
mont :  nor  should  the  region  around  the  limestome  and  kon  ore,  in 
Bernardston,  be  forgotten,  in  an  examination  for  this  metal,  although 
the  rock  there  is  not  talcose  slate.     Talcose  slate  occurs  also  in 
many  other  places    in    the   state ;  particularly  in    Berkshire  coun- 
ty,   onthe    Taconnic     range    of    mountains,      and    other    eminen- 
ces ;  and  here   also   are   porous  quartz   and  hydrous  iron.     I  have 
found  time  to  make  only  a  slight  examination  for  gold,  in  one  or  two 
of  the  places  above  mentioned.     The  surest  method  of  determining 
the  point,  would  be  to  obtain  some  one,   who  is  conversant  with  the 
gold  regions  at  the  South,  and  with  the  mode  of  washing  it,  to  exam- 
ine the  places  I  have  mentioned.     It  may  indeed  be  doubtful,  wheth- 
er the  discovery  of  gold  would  be  a  public  benefit ;  since,  as  your  Ex- 
cellency has  well  observed,  it  might  lead  to  "  the   greedy  pursuit  of 
this  uncertain  gain,  and  to  the  sure  sacrifice  of  habits  of  industry  and 
economy,  and  virtuous  self-denial,  which  the  ordinary  pursuits  and 
requirements  of  business  induce.     We  may  doubt  even,  whether  the 
grass-covered  hills  of  our  own  New  England,  are  not  a  better  source 
of  wealth,  and  contentment,  than  the  precious  metals  which  the  earth 
embosoms."      But,  however  political  economy  might  decide  these 
questions,  I  suppose  there  are  few  individuals  who  would  willingly 


68  Economical  Geology. 

shut  their  eyes  upon  gold  mines ;  and  therefore  I  have  made  these 
suggestions  on  the  subject,  to  prevent  expenditure  upon  useless  and 
ill-planned  projects,  in  search  of  this  precious  metal. 

Idle  search  after  Gold  and  Silver. 

Were  the  history  of  the  wild  and  ill-directed  efforts  that  have  been 
made,  even  in  Massachusetts,  in  search  of  the  precious  metals,  to  be 
written,  it  would  furnish  many  striking  illustrations  of  the  importance 
of  your  Excellency's  suggestions.  Permit  me  here  to  state  a  few 
facts  on  the  subject. 

The  large  quantities  of  the  precious  metals  carried  to  Europe  from 
South  America,  soon  after  its  discovery,  naturally  produced  some 
expectation  of  finding  similar  treasures  here.  But  I  cannot  learn 
that  our  forefathers  expended  large  sums  in  making  excavations, 
where  there  was  no  reasonable  prospect  of  rinding  any  thing  valua- 
ble. It  was  reserved  for  their  descendants  to  exhibit  a  credulity  and 
superstitious  ignorance  on  the  subject,  that  are  both  lamentable  and 
ridiculous. 

Perhaps,  at  the  present  day,  a  belief  in  the  mysterious  virtues  of 
the  mineral  rod,  is  the  most  common  of  these  delusions.  Probably 
many  of  our  intelligent  citizens  can  hardly  credit  the  statement,  that 
there  are  men  in  various  parts  of  the  state,  who  profess  not  a  little 
skill  in  this  enchantment,  and  are  not  unfrequently  sent  for,  one  or 
two  days'  journey,  to  decide  whether  there  be  ore  or  springs  of  water 
in  a  particular  place.  In  general,  but  not  always,  these  professors  of 
divination  belong  to  the  most  ignorant  classes  in  society  ;  for  not  long 
since,  a  venerable  and  respectable  man  of  good  education,  sincerely 
thought  it  his  duty,  occasionally  to  peregrinate  with  his  divining  rod, 
because  it  would  work  in  his  hands  ;  and  not  a  few  intelligent  men 
have  a  secret  belief  that  the  branches  of  a  witch  hazle  are  attracted 
downward  towards  mineral  substances,  when  in  the  hands  of  a  cer- 
tain individual. 

The  following  train  of  circumstances  often  takes  place.  A  man, 
ignorant  of  mineralogy,  finds  upon  his  farm,  a  specimen  of  iron  py- 
rites, or  yellow  mica,  or  galena,  which  he  mistakes  for  gold  or  silver. 
Even  if  he  shows  it  to  a  mineralogist,  and  is  told  that  he  is 'mistaken, 
he  suspects  that  his  informant  is  deceiving  him,  in  the  hope  of  getting 
possession  of  the  prize  himself.  He  resolves  to  begin  an  excavation. 
And  he  sees  enough,  in  the  shining  particles  of  mica  and  feldspar 


Visionary  Projects.  69 

that  are  thrown  out,  to  buoy  up  his  hopes,  until  his  purse  is  well  nigh 
drained. 

It  was  probably  in  some  such  way,  that  the  excavations  were  made 
in  Worcester  and  Sterling,  at  the  mines  of  arsenical  iron  and  carbon- 
ate of  iron ;  although,  in  these  cases,  there  would  be  sufficient  ground 
for  obtaining  some  of  these  ores,  since  they  do  sometimes  contain 
silver.  But  I  cannot  conceive  why  such  extensive  excavations  were 
made,  when  a  chemist  might  have  easily  settled  the  question  as  to 
their  nature,  by  analyzing  100  grains  of  the  ore,  unless  it  was  on  the 
erroneous  supposition,  which  I  find  to  be  common,  that  metallic  veins 
generally  become  much  richer  and  larger,  and  even  change  their 
contents,  as  they  descend  into  the  earth. 

The  decomposition  of  iron  pyrites,  producing  heat  and  sometimes 
explosion,  is  supposed  by  some  to  be  a  strong  indication  of  mineral 
riches  in  the  earth  beneath.  The  man  of  the  witch  hazel  rod  is  cal- 
led, and  if  he  confirms  the  suspicion,  as  he  usually  will,  the  excava- 
tion is  commenced ;  nor  is  it  suspended  until  a  heavy  draft  has  been 
made  upon  the  man's  pecuniary  resources.  An  extensive  excavation 
was  made,  many  years  ago,  I  am  told,  in  Hubbardston,  and  from  the 
character  of  the  rock  there,  I  suspect  that  iron  pyrites  gave  the  first 
impulse  to  the  undertaking.  In  Pepperell,  an  individual  has  been  , 
engaged  for  several  years,  in  pushing  a  drift  into  the  rocks,  which  he 
has  penetrated  eight  or  ten  rods ;  although  individuals  who  have  vis- 
ited the  spot,  (I  have  not,)  can  discover  nothing  but  iron  pyrites, 

In  the  year  1815,  an  individual  succeeded  in  getting  a  company 
formed  and  incorporated,  with  a  capital  of  eighty  thousand  dollars, 
called  the  Easton  lead  and  silver  mining  company.  The  fruits  of 
their  labor  may  be  seen  in  an  excavation,  in  red  granite,  nearly  one 
hundred  feet  deep,  at  present  nearly  filled  with  water.  I  could  not 
find  a  particle  of  ore,  of  any  kind,  in  the  fragments  blasted  out.  A 
final  stop  was  put  to  the  work,  by  the  killing  of  two  men  in  blasting. 

Forty  years  since,  a  shaft  was  sunk  in  Mendon,  in  search  of  the 
precious  metals.  A  little  specular  oxide  of  iron  occurs  at  the  place. 

Not  many  months  since,  an  individual  called  upon  me,  with  speci- 
mens of  black  blende  or  sulphuret  of  zinc,  found  in  a  neighboring 
town,  and  which  he  strongly  suspected  to  be  silver.  I  informed  him 
of  its  true  nature,  and  seeing  that  the  vision  had  got  strong  hold 
upon  his  mind,  I  did  all  in  my  power  to  persuade  him  not  to  engage 
in  searching  for  the  ore.  But  the  only  effect  was  to  stimulate  him  to 
commence  an  exploration  with  more  ardor.  The  zinc  was  found  in 


70  Geology  of  Massachusetts. 

a  loose  piece  of  rock  lying  in  the  field.  The  man's  impression  was, 
that  even  if  that  ore  was  of  no  use,  it  indicated  something  valuable 
beneath.  Accordingly  he  commenced  digging.  Ere  long,  his  faith 
was  strengthend,  by  some  one's  discovering  a  light,  during  the  dark- 
ness, near  the  spot ;  and  the  last  time  I  heard  from  the  man,  he  had 
penetrated  the  soil  about  seventy  feet. 

The  following  case  has  been  stated  to  me  on  such  authority  that 
I  do  not  doubt  its  correctness. 

Some  forty  or  fifty  years  ago,  a  farmer  residing  not  far  from  the 
center  of  Massachusetts  knocked  off  from  a  rock  upon  his  farm,  a 
piece  of  ore,  which  he  sold  in  Boston  for  a  considerable  sum,  as  a 
rich  ore  of  silver.  From  that  time  till  the  day  of  his  death,  he 
searched  in  vain  for  the  rock  from  which  it  was  broken.  The  infer- 
ence, which  he  drew  from  his  ill  success,  was  that  Satan,  (who  is 
thought,  by  multitudes,  to  have  unlimited  power  over  the  mineral 
treasures  of  the  earth,)  had  concealed  or  removed  the  precious  vein. 
Conceiving,  however,  that  some  of  his  posterity  might  have  more  in- 
terest with  that  personage  than  himself,  he  reserved  to  them  the  right 
of  digging  the  ore,  in  the  instrument  which  conveyed  away  his  title 
to  the  land.  His  posterity  were  not  forgetful  of  the  reservation ;  but 
they  were  convinced  it  would  be  of  no  use  to  them,  unless  they  could 
meet  with  some  individual  who  had  entered  into  a  league,  (as  the 
phrase  is  with  the  class  of  people  whom  I  am  describing,)  with  his 
Satanic  majesty.  Last  year  they  heard  of  such  a  man,  a  German  in 
Pennsylvania,  who  had  obtained  possession  of  a  wonderful  glass, 
through  which  he  could  discover  whatever  lies  hid  beneath  the  soil. 
The  German  was  persuaded  to  visit  the  spot,  and  when  I  passed 
through  the  place,  a  little  more  than  a  year  ago,  an  excavation  was 
about  to  be  commenced  under  his  direction.  And  I  have  since  been  told 
the  work  was  prosecuted  till  the  owner's  property,  was  well  nigh  ex- 
pended. 

Still  more  ridiculous  than  the  opinions  and  practices  above  mention- 
ed are  some  still  existing  in  a  few  places  in  the  State,  relative  to  de- 
posits of  money,  said  to  have  been  made  by  one  Kidd,  a  celebrated 
buccaneer  of  early  times.  The  statement  is,  that  he  frequently  as- 
cended our  streams  a  considerable  distance,  and  buried  in  their  banks, 
large  sums  of  money.  These  are  supposed  to  be  guarded  with  sleep- 
less vigilance  by  the  personage  mentioned  before.  But  by  the  use  of 
certain  incantations,  while  digging  for  the  treasure,  it  may  be  wrest- 
ed out  of  his  hands  ;  for  instance,  perfect  silence  must  reign  during 


Concluding  Remarks.  7  1 

the  operation,  unless  it  be  broken  by  the  reading  of  the  Bible,  and  all 
must  be  done  in  the  night.  The  last  instance  of  the  practice  of  this 
mummery,  which  I  have  heard  of,  occurred  a  few  years  since  on  one 
of  the  branches  of  Westfield  river.  A  hundred  days'  work  were 
expended  upon  the  enterprise  before  it  was  abandoned  At  one  time 
those  employed  in  this  work  were  greatly  discouraged,  by  the  intru- 
sion of  my  informant,  who,  in  spite  of  all  they  could  do  by  gestures, 
broke  silence  and  thus  dissolved  the  charm.  At  another  time,  cour- 
age was  revived  by  finding  an  iron  pot,  containing  some  bits  of  copper, 
deposited  there,  the  day  previous,  by  some  boys  who  had  learned  what 
was  going  forward. 

I  have  given  these  rather  mortifying  details,  partly  because  I  doubt 
whether  nine  tenths  of  our  population  are  aware  of  the  existence  ot 
such  opinions  and  practices  among  us  ;  and  partly  in  the  hope  that  the 
exposition  may  be  instrumental  in  entirely  eradicating  them  from  the 
minds  of  those  who  have  been  thus  deluded.  For,  like  night  fogs, 
they  need  only  to  be  brought  into  the  light  of  day  to  be  dissipated. 

Concluding  Remarks. 

In  concluding  this  summary  of  the  economical  geology  of  Massa- 
chusetts, I  cannot  but  allude  to  the  very  imperfect  development  which 
has  hitherto  been  made  of  our  mineral  resources.  Judging  from 
what  we  know  at  present,  our  granites,  marbles,  and  other  rocks,  use- 
ful in  architecture,  are  undoubtedly  the  richest  of  these  resources. 
Yet  it  is  only  a  few  years,  since  these  rocks  (with  the  exception  of 
some  quarries  of  marble,)  have  been  employed  at  all  for  building; 
and  even  now,  only  a  few  beds,  and  these  very  possibly  not  the  best, 
have  been  opened.  In  the  vicinity  of  Connecticut  river,  the  inhabit- 
ants are  just  beginning  to  learn  that  they  have  beautiful  granite  in 
their  own  hills  and  mountains.  The  Berkshire  marbles  are  wrought 
on  a  stinted  scale,  compared  with  what  they  might  be,  were  a  rail- 
road to  furnish  the  means  of  an  easy  transportation  to  the  Hudson. 
And  as  to  our  porphyries  and  serpentines,  various  and  abundant  as 
they  are,  it  is  rare  to  meet  with  a  single  polished  specimen.  Our 
mineral  veins  and  beds,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  mines  of  iron, 
and  one  of  lead,  lie  as  yet  almost  untouched,  and  probably  many  of 
them  undiscovered. 

These  facts  ought  to  be  kept  in  mind  in  forming  an  estimate  of  our 
mineral  resources.  Yet  imperfect  as  is  our  acquaintance  with  these, 
I  think  we  need  not  fear  a  comparison,  in  this  respect,  with  any  other 


72  Geology  of  Massachusetts. 

part  of  the  country.  Other  states  possess  particular  minerals  which 
are  more  valuable  and  interesting,  and  calculated  to  awaken  public 
attention  more  than  ours ;  yet  where  is  the  territory  abounding  in  a 
greater  number  of  rocks  and  minerals,  of  real  and  permanant  utility, 
whose  quality  is  excellent  and  whose  quantity  is  inexhaustible  ?  They 
are,  indeed,  of  such  a  character,  that  they  will  increase  in  value  for 
several  generations  to  come.  That  is,  we  may  calculate  that  the  de- 
mand for  them  will  increase  during  that  period,  and  this  demand  will 
lead  to  the  discovery  of  varieties  really  more  valuable. 

Thus  far  we  have  regarded  our  geology  only  in  an  economical 
point  of  view.  I  hope  to  show  in  the  subsequent  parts  of  my  Report, 
that  it  is  not  less  interesting  to  the  man  of  taste  and  science. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

EDWARD  HITCHCOCK. 

Amherst  College,  Jan.  1,  1832. 


PART  II. 

TOPOGRAPHICAL    GEOLOGY 

OF 

MASSACHUSETTS. 

To  His  EXCELLENCY  LEVI  LINCOLN  ESQ. 

GOVERNOR  OF  MASSACHUSETTS. 

I  HAVE  supposed  that  my  account  of  the  Geology  of  the  State  would 
he  quite  imperfect,  without  some  notice  of  our  Scenery.  Strictly 
speaking,  indeed,  scenery  is  not  geology :  and  yet,  the  contour  of  a 
country  owes  its  peculiarities  in  a  great  measure  to  the  character  of 
the  rocks  found  beneath  the  soil :  So  that  the  geologist,  by  a  mere 
inspection  of  the  features  of  the  landscape,  can  form  a  very  probable 
opinion  of  the  nature  of  the  rock  formations.  The  extended  plain, 
he  will  pronounce  alluvial,  or  tertiary.  The  precipitous  ridge  or 
mountain,  if  dark  coloured,  will  indicate  trap  rocks ;  if  light  colour- 
ed, granite :  If  the  summit  be  rounded,  and  the  aspect  red  or  gray,  he 
will  suspect  it  to  be  made  up  of  sandstone.  The  more  extended  and 
less  precipitous  mountain  ranges,  stretching  away  over  many  a  league, 
correspond  more  nearly  to  primary  rocks.  In  short,  the  connectio  n 
between  the  aspect  of  the  earth's  surface  and  the  nature  of  the  rocks 
beneath,  is  so  obvious,  that  I  have  thought  it  would  not  be  a  misno- 
mer, to  denominate  an  account  of  the  natural  scenery,  Topographical 
Geology.  In  the  following  sketch  of  the  scenery  of  Massachusetts, 
my  principal  object  will  be  to  direct  the  attention  of  the  man  of  taste 
to  those  places  in  the  State,  where  he  will  find  natural  objects  particul- 
arly calculated  to  gratify  his  love  of  novelty,  beauty  and  sublimity. 
'i  have  not  the  space,  had  I  the  ability,  to  describe  them  with  the  vivid- 
ness and  fullness  of  the  poet  or  the  painter.  But  by  sketching  their 
obvious  features,  I  would  hope  to  induce  gentlemen  of  leisure  and 
intelligence,  who  are  lovers  of  the  beautiful,  the  sublime,  and  the 
picturesque  innature,  to  visit  and  more  minutely  to  describe  them- 

10 


74  Topographical  Geology. 

The  most  striking  objects  in  the  scenery  of  a  country,  where  they 
exist,  are  high  and  precipitous  mountains ;  especially  if  extensive 
plains,  traversed  by  rivers,  stretch  away  from  their  bases.  I  shall 
therefore,  in  the  first  place,  describe  those  conspicuous  peaks  and 
ridges  in  the  State,  whose  summits  afford  wide  and  interesting  pros- 
pects. 

Massachusetts  is  peculiarly  mountainous,.  But  mountain  scenery 
is  not  particularly  interesting,  if  the  slopes  are  gentle,  and  the  outlines 
of  the  hills  are  much  rounded.  It  needs  the  sharp  towering  peak, 
the  craggy  and  overhanging  cliff,  and  the  roaring  torrent  beneath,  to 
arrest  the  attention,  and  excite  strong  emotions.  Such  objects  are  nu- 
merous in  this  state,  especially  in  the  western  part.  Here  we  find 
some  scenery  that  is  truly  Alpine.  I  begin  with  the  highest  point  in 
the  state,  viz : 

Saddle  Mountain. 

We  have  in  Massachusetts  three  lofty  and  extensive  ranges  of 
mountains  crossing  the  State  from  north  to  south.  The  summit  of 
the  Taconic  Range,  corresponds  nearly  with  the  west  line  of  the 
State.  The  Hoosic  Range  is  separated  from  the  Taconic  by  a  val- 
ley several  miles  in  width.  It  occupies  all  the  eastern  part  of  Berk- 
shire County,  and  the  western  part  of  Franklin,  Hampshire  and 
Hampden  :  being  from  30  to  40  miles  broad,  and  extending  easterly  to 
the  valley  of  the  Connecticut.  East  of  this  valley  is  a  belt  of  mountain- 
ous country,  embracing  the  eastern  part  of  Franklin,  Hampshire  and 
Hampden  counties,  and  the  whole  of  Worcester  County  ;  But  no  spe- 
cific name  has  been  applied  as  yet  to  this  range  as  a  whole. 

Saddle  Mountain  does  not  belong,  properly  speaking,  to  any  of 
these  chains  of  elevated  land ;  though  generally  regarded  as  a  spur 
from  the  Hoosic  range.  But  it  is  in  fact  an  insulated  eminence,  mostly 
in  the  town  of  Adams,  and  nearly  surrounded  by  vallies,  above  which 
it  rises  2,800  feet,  and  nearly  3,600  above  the  tide  water  of  the  ocean. 
It  is  chiefly  the  insulated  character  of  this  mountain,  that  renders  it  so 
striking  an  object  in  the  scenery.  Its  summit  is  supposed  to  bear  a 
resemblance  to  that  of  a  saddle;  and  hence  its  unpoetic  name.  The 
highest  point  of  the  summit  has  a  much  more  appropriate  designation, 
viz.  Graylock ;  from  the  hoary  aspect  which  the  upper  part  of  the 
mountain  presents  in  the  winter  months.  During  that  season,  the 
frost  attaches  itself  to  the  trees,  which,  thus  decorated,  it  needs  no  great 
stretch  of  imagination  to  regard  as  the  graylocks  of  this  venerable 


Saddle  Mountain.  75 

mountain.  As  the  cold  increases,  the  line  of  congelation  sinks  lower 
and  lower,  covering-  more  and  more  of  the  mountain  with  frost  work, 
and  a  contrary  effect  results  from  an  increase  of  the  temperature ;  so 
that  this  line  is  frequently  rising  and  falling  during  the  cold  months, 
producing  numerous  fantastic  changes  in  the  aspect  of  the  moun- 
tain. 

The  best  route  by  which  to  ascend  to  the  summit  of  Graylock,  pass- 
es up  the  southwestern  declivity  of  the  mountain,  through  what  is 
called  the  Hopper  ;  and  over  that  spur  of  the  mountain  denominated 
Bald  Mountain.  The  ascent  is  so  gentle  that  it  may  be  gained  on 
horseback.  Indeed,  in  one  instance  I  was  told  that  a  lady,  accustom- 
ed to  equestrian  excursions,  reached  the  summit  in  this  manner  :  and 
were  the  road  in  the  upper  part  improved  as  it  might  be,  by  a  little 
labor,  her  example  might  be  easily  followed.  Another  improvement 
also,  should  be  made  before  ladies  are  invited  to  take  this  excursion. 
At  present  one  is  obliged  to  climb  a  tree,  to  the  height  of  30  or  40  feet, 
in  order  to  get  an  unobstructed  view  from  the  summit ;  so  that  either 
the  surrounding  trees  should  be  cleared  away,  or  a  stone  or  wooden 
structure  be  erected,  that  would  overlook  them. 

I  know  of  no  place  where  the  mind  is  so  forcibly  impressed  by  the 
idea  of  vastness,  and  even  of  immensity,  as  when  the  eye  ranges 
abroad  from  this  eminence.  Towards  the  south  you  have  a  view, 
more  or  less  interrupted  by  spurs  from  the  Taconic  and  Hoosic 
ranges  of  mountains,  of  that  fertile  valley  which  crosses  the  whole  of 
Berkshire  county.  On  your  right  and  left,  you  look  down  upon,  or 
rather  overlook,  the  Taconic  and  Hoosic  mountains;  which  from 
the  valley  beneath,  seem  of  such  towering  height  and  grandeur.  Be- 
yond these  mountains,  on  every  side,  you  see  the  summits  of  peak 
beyond  peak,  till  they  are  blended  with  the  distant  sky.  The  objects 
in  the  immediate  vicinity,  of  the  mountain  do  not  forcibly  arrest  the 
attention;  though  from  the  northern  point  of  the  summit,  I  should  sup- 
pose the  valley  of  William  stown  must  be  delightfully  exhibited. 
Still,  the  vast  depth  of  the  valley  around  you,  as  you  stand  upon  Gray- 
lock,  contributes  no  doubt  to  swell  the  feeling  of  immensity  and 
sublimity  produced  by  looking  abroad  among  such  a  sea  of  moun- 
*  tains. 

Upon  the  whole,  however,  I  was  more  interested  by  the  phenom- 
ena exhibited  in  that  part,  of  the  mountain,  called  the  Hopper,  than 
by  a  view  from  the  summit.  As  the  traveller  descends  from  Gray- 
lock,  let  him  follow  out  the  naked  summit  of  Bald  Mountain  nearly 


76  Topographical  Geology. 

to  its  extremity,  and  then,  on  turning-  northerly,  he  will  find  before  him 
a  gulph  at  least  a  thousand  feet  deep,  the  four  sides  of  which  seem  (al- 
though it  is  not  strictly  so)  to  converge  to  a  point  at  the  bottom.  The 
slope  of  these  sides,  is  so  steep,  that  one  feels  dizzy  on  looking  into 
the  gulph.  These  steep  sides  are  all  covered  with  trees  of  various 
species,  among  which  are  occasional  patches  of  evergreens,  giving  to 
the  whole  slope  a  rich  and  captivating  appearance.  On  the  northeast 
side,  however,  may  be  seen  the  traces  of  several  mountain  slides,  by 
which  the  trees  and  the  loose  soil  have  been  swept  away  from  the 
height,  in  some  cases,  of  1600  feet,  and  of  considerable  width.  It  is 
not  more  than  six  or  eight  years  since  one  or  two  of  these  slides  oc- 
curred ;  and  the  paths  which  they  left  behind,  are  yet  entirely  naked 
of 'vegetation.  In  some  instances  of  earlier  date,  we  perceive  the  ves- 
tiges of  the  avalanche  only  in  the  stinted  growth,  or  peculiar  character 
of  the  trees,  that  have  sprung  up.  It  is  said  that  one  of  the  most  re- 
markable of  these  slides,  took  place  in  the  year  1784  ;  and  that  one 
dwelling  house  was  swept  away  by  the  inundation,  though  the  inmates 
escaped. 

Scattered  through  the  valley  of  Berkshire  and  among  the  high  ran- 
ges that  bound  it  on  either  hand,  are  many  other  mountains  and  peaks 
that  present  delightful  and  extensive  landscapes  from  their  summits. 
There  is,  however,  such  a  general  resemblance  in  the  scenery  of  the 
county,  that  a  particular  description  of  each  prospect  will  be  unnec- 
essary, after  what  has  been  said  of  Saddle  Mountain.  In  the  southern 
part  of  the  county,  the  Taconic  range  reaches  a  height  not  much  in- 
ferior to  that  of  Graylock.  That  part  of  the  range  is  called 

Mount  Washington. 

It  lies  in  the  southwest  corner  town  of  the  State,  (except  a  small 
triangular  unincorporated  tract  at  the  very  angle  of  the  State,  called 
Boston  corner,)  and  as  it  occupies  most  of  the  town,  both  have  the 
same  name.  It  has  two  principal  peaks  ;  the  highest  and  most  nor- 
therly of  which,  rises  2400  feet  above  the  valley  of  the  Housatonic, 
and  3 150  above  the  ocean.  The  summit  of  the  ridge  is  mostly  naked 
rock,  with  even  very  little  shrubbery.  The  ascent  is  easy  on  the  eas- 
terly side,  and  the  view  of  the  plain  of  Sheffield  and  the  valley  of  the 
Housatonic  generally,  is  delightful. 

A  somewhat  interrupted  range  of  mountains  extends  from  Stock- 
bridge  through  the  easterly  part  of  Great  Barrington  and  Sheffield,  pre- 
senting several  distinct  peaks,  which  have  different  names,  such  as 


Mount  Washington.  77 

Monument  Mountain,  in  Stockbridge,  and  Alum  Hill,  in  Sheffield. 
Beartown  Mountain  extends  from  Stockbridge  through  Great  Barring- 
ton  into  Tyringham :  Rattlesnake  Hill  is  an  insulated  mountain  in 
Stockbridge.  The  mountain  separating  West  Stockbridge  from 
Stockbridge,  and  Richmond  from  Lenox,  is  denominated  at  its  north- 
ern part,  Lenox  Mountain :  and  more  southerly,  Stockbridge  Moun- 
tain. In  Washington,  and  extending  into  Pittsfield,  is  a  lofty  and 
rounded  spur  from  the  Hoosic  range,  called  Washington  Mountain  ; 
a  name  too  much  like  Mount  Washington.  In  Canaan,  Connecticut, 
a  few  miles  beyond  the  Massachusetts  line,  is  a  noble  mountain  ridge 
with  a  mural  front  on  the  southwest,  and  several  miles  in  extent, 
called  Canaan  Mountain.  From  all  these  mountains,  and  others  that 
might  be  named,  magnificent  prospects  are  presented,  which,  in  the 
midst  of  a  general  resemblance,  exhibit  .so  much  peculiar  to  each,  as 
amply  to  repay  the  traveller  for  climbing  them  all. 

The  same  may  be  said  of  numerous  distinct  summits  that  crown 
the  broad  ranges  of  the  Taconic  and  Hoosic.  It  is  extremely  ex- 
hilarating to  the  spirits  of  the  tasteful  traveler,  as  he  traverses  these 
regions,  especially  in  summer,  to  find  such  a  constant  variety  of  land- 
scape attending  every  change  of  place.  For  every  new  hill  that  he 
climbs,  he  is  rewarded  by  the  discovery  of  some  new  grouping  of  the 
distant  mountains  ;  some  new  peak  or  ridge  rising  fantastically  in  the 
horizon ;  some  new  village  crowning  the  distant  hill  with  its  neat 
white  houses  and  church  spire  ;  or  some  hitherto  unseen  valley  opens 
before  him,  through  which  tumbles  the  mountain  torrent ;  while  the 
vast  slopes  of  the  valley  present  so  much  diversity,  softness,  and  rich- 
ness of  foliage,  as  to  form  a  lovely  resting  place  for  the  eye. 

In  such  mountainous  regions  it  was  natural  for  the  first  settlers  to 
select  elevated  situations  for  a  residence.  Hence  in  many  instances 
the  tops  of  these  ridges  are  crowned  with  pleasant  villages. 
Among  those  which  are  thus  situated  and  afford  the  most 
romantic  prospects  may  be  named  Blanford,  Granville,  Tol- 
land,  Chester,  Middlefield,  Peru,  Windsor,  Chesterfield,  Goshen, 
Cummington,  Plainfield,  Ashfield,  Hawley,  Shelburne,  Rowe,  Heath, 
and  Leyden.  To  one  accustomed  to  reside  in  a  valley,  it  is  interest- 
ing to  witness  in  one  of  these  places,  the  setting,  but  more  particularly 
the  rising  of  the  sun  :  when  very  probably  he  will  see  a  dense  fog 
resting  upon  the  vallies  below,  and  shutting  out  the  sun,  while  it 
shines  in  all  its  g  lory  upon  the  hills  around  the  observer. 

In  the  elevated  region  east  of  Connecticut  river,  a  still  larger  number 


78  Topographical  Geology. 

of  villages  have  been  built  upon  heights  commanding  wide  horizons : 
And  some  of  these,  being  in  a  superior  style  of  architecture  ar  e  most 
attractive  objects  to  the  distant  traveler.  What  for  instance  can  be  a 
finer  object, than  the  beautiful  village  of  Leicester,  seen  at  the  distance 
of  six  or  eight  miles  !  or  than  Shrewsbury,  Grafton,  Charlton  or  Rut- 
land !  Similarly  situated  are  Dudley,  Sutton,  Mendon,  Hopkinton, 
Spencer,  New  Braintree,  Hardwick,  Barre,  Petersham,  Shutesbury, 
New  Salem,  Templeton,  Winchendon,  Princeton,  Westford,  Andover, 
&c.  The  extent  and  beauty  of  the  summer  prospect  from  the  last 
mentioned  place  have  long  been  the  admiration  of  the  traveler. 

Mount  Holyoke. 

We  come  now  to  the  valley  of  the  Connecticut,  where  is  some  of 
the  boldest  and  most  beautiful  scenery  in  the  State.  Mount  Holyoke 
in  Hadley  claims  the  first  notice ;  not  on  account  of  its  superior  alti- 
tude, for  it  is  only  830  feet  above  the  Connecticut  at  its  base,  and 
about  900  above  Boston  Harbour ;  but  on  account  of  its  peculiar  posi- 
tion in  respect  to  interesting  objects  around.  It  is  a  part  of  a  moun- 
tain ridge  of  greenstone,  commencing  with  West  Rock,  near  New 
Haven,  and  proceeding  northerly,  interrupted  only  by  occasional  val- 
lies,  across  the  whole  of  Connecticut,  until  it  enters  Massachusetts 
between  West  Springfield  and  South  wick,  and  proceeds  along  the 
west  line  of  the  first  named  place,  and  along  the  east  line  of  Westfield, 
East  Hampton,  and  Northampton,  to  the  banks  of  the  Connecticut. 
Until  it  reaches  East  Hampton,  its  elevation  is  small.  But  there  it 
suddenly  mounts  up  to  the  height  -of  nearly  a  thousand  feet,  and  forms 
Mount  Tom.  The  ridge  crosses  the  Connecticut,  in  a  northeast  direc- 
tion, and  curving  still  more  to  the  east,  passes  along  the  dividing  line 
of  Amherst  and  South  Hadley,  until  it  terminates  ten  miles  from  the 
river  in  the  northwest  part  of  Belchertown.  All  that  part  of  the 
ridge  east  of  the  river,  is  called  Holyoke:  though  the  prospect  house 
is  erected  near  its  southwestern  extremity,  opposite  Northampton,  and 
near  th,e  Connecticut.  And  that  is  undoubtedly  the  most  commanding  spot 
on  the  mountain,  though  several  distinct  summits,  thatliave  as  yet  re- 
ceived no  uniform  name,  afford  delightful  prospects.  It  is  not  gener-- 
ally  known,  indeed,  how  a  slight  change  of  situation  upon  a  mountain 
will  often  put  an  almost  entirely  new  aspect  upon  the  surrounding 
scenery.  A  knowledge  of  this  fact,  might  often  give  a  tenfold  dura- 
tion to  the  pleasure  of  the  observer.  The  man  who  means  to  feast  to 
the  full  upon  mountain  scenery,  should  be  accoutred  in  such  a  manner 


Mount  Holyoke,  79 

that  he  can  turn  aside  from  the  beaten  track,  urge  his  way  through 
the  tangled  thicket,  and  climb  the  craggy  cliff  There  is  a  peculiar 
pleasure,  which  such  a  man  only  can  experience,  in  feeling  that  he  has 
reached  a  point  perhaps  never  trodden  by  human  foot,  and  is  the  first 
of  the  rational  creation  that  ever  feasted  on  the  landscape  before  him. 

In  the  view  from  Holyoke  we  have  the  grand  and  the  beautiful 
united  ;  the  latter,  however,  greatly  predominating.  The  observer 
finds  himself  lifted  up  nearly  a  thousand  feet  from  the  midst  of  a  plain 
which,  northerly  and  southerly,  is  of  great  extent ;  and  so  comparative- 
ly narrow  is  the  naked  rock  on  which  he  stands,  that  he  wonders  why 
the  winds  and  storms  of  centuries  have  not  broken  it  down.  He 
soon,  however,  forgets  the  mountain  beneath  him,  in  the  absorbing 
beauties  before  him.  For  it  is  not  a  barren  unenlivened  plain  on 
which  his  eye  rests ;  but  a  rich  alluvial  valley,  geometrically  diversi- 
fied in  the  summer  with  grass,  corn,  grain,  and  whatever  else  labori- 
ous industry  has  there  reared.  On  the  west,  and  a  little  elevated 
above  the  general  level,  the  eye  turns  with  delight  to  the  populous 
village  of  Northampton  ;  exhibiting  in  its  public  edifices,  and  private 
dwellings  an  unusual  degree  of  neatness  and  elegance.  A  little  more 
to  the  right,  the  neat  and  substantial  villages  of  Hadley  and  Hatfield, 
and  still  farther  east  and  more  distant,  Amherst  with  its  College, 
Gymnasium,  and  Academy,  on  a  commanding  eminence,  form  pleas- 
ant resting  places  for  the  eye.  But  the  object  that  perhaps  most  of  all 
arrests  the  attention  of  the  man  of  taste,  is  the  Connecticut,  winding 
its  way  majestically,  yet  most  beautifully,  through  the  meadows  of 
Hatfield,  Hadley,  and  Northampton ;  and  directly  in  front  of  Holyoke, 
as  if  it  loved  to  linger  in  so  tranquil  a  spot,  it  sweeps  around  in  a 
graceful  curve  of  three  miles  extent,  without  advancing  in  its  ocean- 
ward  course  a  hundred  rods.  Then  it  passes  directly  through  the 
deep  opening  between  Holyoke  and  Tom,  which  its  own  waters,  or 
more  probably,  other  agencies  have  excavated  in  early  times.  Below 
this  point,  the  Connecticut  is  in  full  view,  like  a  serpentine  mirror,  for 
nearly  twenty  miles.  And  through  a  deception,  explicable  by  the  laws 
of  perspective,  there  seems  to  be  a  gradual  ascent  of  the  river,  the 
whole  distance,  till  at  its  vanishing  place  it  seems  elevated  nearly  to 
a  level  with  the  eye: — just  as  the  parallel  sides  of  a  long  avenue  seem 
to.  approach  nearer  and  nearer  until  they  meet. 

The  valley  on  the  south  of  Holyoke  is  not  as  interesting  as  that  on 
the  west  and  north ;  chiefly  because  the  land  is  less  fertile.  The  vil- 
lage of  South  Hadley  is  indeed  a  pleasing  object.  But  Springfield,  one 


80  Topographical  Geology. 

of  the  loveliest  spots  in  America,  is  too  far  removed  for  an  exhibition 
of  its  beauty.  Other  places  south  of  Springfield  are  indistinctly  visi- 
ble along  the  banks  of  the  Connecticut:  and  even  the  spires  of  some 
of  the  churches  in  Hartford,  may  be  seen  in  good  weather,  just  rising 
above  the  trees.  Still  farther  south  in  that  direction,  may  be  seen  the 
abrupt  greenstone  bluffs  mid  way  between  Hartford  and  New  Haven; 
and  looking  with  a  telescope  between  these,  other  low  hills  may  be 
indistinctly  seen,  which  are  probably  the  trap  ridge  encircling  New 
Haven,  or  the  shores  of  Long  Island. 

Facing  the  southwest,  the  observer  has  before  him  on  the  opposite 
side  of  the  river,  the  ridge  called  Mount  Tom,  rising  one  or  two  hun- 
dred feet  higher  than  Holyoke,  and  dividing  the  valley  of  the  Con- 
necticut longitudinally.  The  western  branch  of  this  valley  is  boun- 
ded on  the  west  by  the  eastern  slope  of  the  Hoosic  range  of  moun- 
tains ;  which,  as  seen  from  Holyoke,  rises  ridge  above  ridge  for  more 
than  twenty  miles,  chequered  with  cultivated  fields  and  forests,  and 
not  unfrequently  enlivened  by  villages  and  church  spires.  In  the 
northwest  the  Graylock  may  be  seen  peering  above  the  Hoosic  ;  and 
still  farther  north,  several  of  the  lofty  peaks  of  the  Green  Mountains 
(which  are  merely  a  continuation  of  the  Hoosic,)  shoot  up  beyond  the 
region  of  clouds,  in  imposing  grandeur.  Nearer  at  hand,  and  in  the 
valley  of  the  Connecticut,  the  insulated  Sugar  Loaves  and  Toby  pre- 
sent their  fantastic  outlines  ;  while  far  in  the  northeast  stands  in  insu- 
lated grandeur  the  cloud-capt  Monadnoc. 

Probably  under  favourable  circumstances,  not  less  than  30  church- 
es, in  as  many  towns,  are  visible  from  Holyoke.  The  north  and 
south  diameter,  of  the  field  of  vision  there,  can  scarcely  be  less  than 
150  miles. 

The  Columns. 

Less  than  half  a  mile  south  of  the  road  leading  to  the  prospect 
house  on  Holyoke,  and  in  the  western  face  of  the  ridge,  may  be  seen 
some  interesting  examples  of  greenstone  columns.  They  stand  side 
by  side  to  the  height  of  many  feet,  and  as  the  lower  part  of  the  outer 
ones  has  fallen  down,  their  curiously  formed  tops  project  from  the  cliff 
and  seem  to  threaten  the  observer  with  destruction.  In  the  third  part 
of  my  report  I  shall  describe  these  columns  more  particularly.  But  I 
think  they  must  prove  attractive  to  every  one  to  whom  a  visit  to  the 
top  of  the  mountain,  is  interesting.  The  visitor,  however,  must  not 


Mount  Tom.  81 

expect  a  very  smooth  path  in  reaching  them ;  for  he  must  clamber 
over  a  large  amount  of  debris,  sloping  at  an  angle  of  45°. 

Titan's  Pier. 

Standing  upon  Hoi  yoke  and  facing  the  south,  one  has  directly  be- 
fore him,  and  as  it  were  under  his  feet,  the  deep  gorge  between  Hoi- 
yoke  and  Tom,  through  which  Connecticut  river  passes.  Following 
the  western  side  of  the  mountain,  as  it  rapidly  descends  to  the  river, 
we  find  it  terminating  with  a  naked  rock  extending  several  rods  into 
the  river,  and  nearly  perpendicular  on  the  side  next  to  the  water,  from 
20  to  100  feet  high.  A  considerable  part  of  this  naked  rock  exhibits 
a  columnar  structure;  not  in  general  as  perfect  as  the  spot  above  de- 
scribed, yet  sufficiently  regular  to  require  little  aid  from  the  imagina- 
tion, to  be  regarded  as  artificial ;  though  obviously  demanding  giant 
strength  for  its  construction.  I  have  said  that  the  columnar  structure 
was  not  in  general  very  perfect.  But  if  one  can  work  his  way  along 
the  western  face  of  this  precipice  at  low  water,  he  will  find,  near  where 
the  rock  passes  under  the  river,  the  tops  of  numerous  columns  of  great 
regularity ;  their  upper  portions  having  been  removed  by  the  force  of 
the  stream,  which  for  so  many  centuries  has  been  battering  this  cliff 
with  logs  and  ice.  By  referring  to  the  next  part  of  my  report,  a  more 
definite  idea  can  be  obtained  of  these  columns.  But  from  what  I  have 
now  said,  every  intelligent  man  will  perceive  that  these  columns  are 
very  similar  to  to  those  on  the  coast  of  Ireland,  which  form  FingaVs 
Cave  and  the  Gianfs  Causey.  The  nature  of  the  rock  too,is  essentially 
the  same  in  all  these  places.  Why  then  may  I  not  be  permitted  to  de- 
nominate this  rock,  Titan? s  Pier?  At  least,  may  I  not  hope  by  this 
description  to  attract  the  attention  of  visitors  to  Holyoke  to  this  spot  ? 
Hitherto  it  has  been  passed  unnoticed. 

Mount  Tom. 

As  this  is  higher  than  Holyoke  and  insulated,  in  the  same  great  val- 
ley, the  view  from  its  summit  cannot  but  be  commanding ;  Yet  most 
of  the  interesting  group  of  objects  around  the  base  of  the  former,  is 
wanting  around  the  latter.  Hence  Tom  is  not  much  frequented  ;  while 
during  the  summer  months,  Holyoke  is  a  place  of  great  resort. 

I  obtained  from  this  mountain  one  summer  morning,  a  striking  view, 
while  yet  the  whole  valley  of  the  Connecticut  was  enveloped  in  fog, 
and  Tom,  with  a  few  other  elevated  peaks  connected  with  the  green- 
stone range,  alone  rose  above  the  vapour.  The  sun  shining  brightly 
11 


82  Topographical  Geology, 

and  the  wind  gently  blowing,  gave  to  this  fog  a  strong  resemblance 
to  an  agitated  ocean.  To  the  north  and  south  it  seemed  illimitable ; 
but  on  the  east  and  the  west,  the  high  mountain  ranges  that  form  the 
boundaries  of  the  valley  of  the  Connecticut,  constituted  its  shores.  I 
could  not  but  feel  myself  transported  back,  to  that  remote  period,  when 
this  great  valley  was  enveloped  in  like  manner,  by  water,  and  Hoi- 
yoke  and  Tom  formed  only  low  and  picturesque  islands  upon  its  sur- 
face. 

Sugar  Loaf '  Mountain. 

No  object  in  the  valley  of  the  Connecticut,  is  more  picturesque  than 
this  conical  peak  of  red  sandstone,  which  rises  almost  perpendicular- 
ly 500  feet  above  the  plain  on  the  bank  of  the  Connecticut,  in  the 
south  part  of  Deerfield.  As  the  traveler  approaches  this  hill  from 
the  south,  it  seems  as  if  its  summit  were  inaccesible.  But  it  can  be 
attained  without  difficulty  on  foot,  and  affords  a  delightful  view  on  al- 
most every  side.  The  Connecticut  and  the  peaceful  village  of  Sun- 
derland  on  its  bank,  appear  so  near,  that  one  imagines  he  might  al- 
most reach  them  by  a  single  leap. 

This  mountain  overlooks  the  site  of  some  of  the  most  sanguinary 
scenes,  that  occurred  during  the  early  settlement  of  this  region.  A 
little  south  of  the  mountain  the  Indians  were  defeated  in  1675  by 
Captains  Lathrop  and  Beers :  and  one  mile  northwest,  where  the  vil- 
lage of  Bloody  Brook  now  stands,  (which  derived  its  name  from  the 
circumstance,)  in  the  same  year,  Captain  Lathrop,  was  drawn  into  an 
ambuscade  with  a  company  of  "80  young  men,  the  very  flower  of 
Essex  County,"  who  were  nearly  all  destroyed. 

Deerfield  Mountain. 

A  sandstone  ridge  commences  at  Sugar  Loaf,  and  runs  northerly 
through  Deerfield  and  Greenfield,  into  Gill,  increasing  in  height  as 
far  as  the  village  of  Deerfield,  where  it  is  700  feet  above  the  plain  on 
which  that  village  stands.  Standing  near  this  point,  on  the  western 
edge  of  the  mountain,  a  most  enchanting  paranoma  opens  to  view. 
The  alluvial  plain  on  which  Deerfield  stands  is  sunk  nearly  100  feet 
below  the  general  level  of  the  Connecticut  valley  ;  and  at  the  south- 
west part  of  this  basin,  Deerfield  river  is  seen  emerging  from  the 
mountains,  and  winding  in  the  most  graceful  curves  along  its  whole 
western  border.  Still  more  beneath  the  eye  is  the  village,  remarkable 
for  regularity,  and  for  the  number  and  size  of  the  trees  along  the  prin- 


Mount  Toby.  83 

cipai  street.  The  meadows,  a  little  beyond,  are  one  of  the  most  ver- 
dant and  fertile  spots  in  New  England.  Upon  the  whole,  this  view 
is  one  of  the  most  perfect  pictures  of  rural  peace  and  happiness  that 
can  be  imagined. 

Mount  Toby. 

This  is  a  sandstone  mountain  of  not  less  elevation  than  Mount  Tom  ; 
and  it  is  separated  from  Sugar  Loaf  by  Connecticut  river,  lying  partly 
in  Sunderland  and  partly  in  Leverett.  It  is  separated  by  a  deep  val- 
ley from  the  primitive  mountains  near  it  on  the  east.  It  is  a  noble 
mountain,  and  as  yet,  is  almost  covered  by  forests.  The  view  from 
its  summit  is  commanding,  but  it  embraces  no  objects  of  peculiar  and 
special  interest. 

It  has  frequently  been  stated,  and  that  too  by  very  respectable  au- 
thority, that  the  ridges  forming  East  and  West  Rock,  Holyoke,  Toby, 
&c.  are  a  part  of  the  broad  mountain  ranges,  which,  commencing  at 
Long  Island  Sound,  rise  gradually  towards  the  north  into  the  Hoosic 
and  Green  Mountains  on  the  west  side  of  Connecticut  river,  and  into 
Monadnoc  and  the  White  Mountains  on  the  east  side.  But  a  slight 
knowledge  of  the  geological  character  of  these  mountains,  is  sufficient 
to  show  that  the  trap  and  conglomerate  ridges  along  the  Connecti- 
cut, differ,  toto  coelo,  from  the  primary  ranges  on  either  side.  And  a 
slight  examination  of  the  topography  of  these  mountains,  shows  that 
the  former  are  uniformly  separated  by  deep  vallies  from  the  latter,  and 
have  no  geographical  connection  except  proximity. 

What  a  pity  it  is,  that  so  many  of  the  most  interesting  mountains 
and  hills  in  Massachusetts  have  got  attached  to  them  such  uncouth 
and  vulgar  names !  How  must  the  poets  lines 

scramble  up  and  down 

On  disproportioned  legs,  like  Kangaroo, 

if  such  words  as  Saddle  Mountain,  Rattle  Snake  Hill,  Bear  Town 
Mountain,  Mount  Tom,  Mount  Toby,  Sugar  Loaf,  Blue  Mountains 
and  Deerfield  Mountain,  be  introduced.  Holyoke,  Taconic,  Hoosic 
and  Wachusett,  are  more  tolerable;  though  most  of  them  have  an 
Indian  origin.  It  would  have  been  fortunate,  if  our  forefathers 
had  not  attempted  in  any  case  to  supersede  the  aboriginal  desig- 
nations. For  what  mountain  can  ever  become  an  object  of  much  re- 
gard and  attachment,  if  its  beauties  and  sublimities,  cannot  be  intro- 
duced into  a  nation's  poetry,  without  producing  the  most  ridiculous 
associations !  Fortunately,  there  are  some  summits  in  the  State  yet 


84  Topographical  Geology. 

unnamed.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  men  of  taste,  will  see  to  it,  that  nei- 
ther Tom,  nor  Tohy,  nor  Bears,  nor  Rattle  Snakes, 'nor  Sugar  Loaves, 
shall  be  Saddled  upon  them. 

In  the  eastern  part  of  the  State,  the  interesting  mountains  are  few. 
The  loftiest  and  most  striking  is 

Wachusett, 

This  mountain  is  in  Princeton,  whose  general  elevation,  above  the 
ocean,  is  1100  feet:  and  the  mountain  lifts  its  conical  head  1900  feet 
higher,  so  as  to  be  3000  feet  above  Massachusetts  Bay.  The  ascent 
on  foot  is  not  difficult.  From  the  summit,  which  is  little  more  than 
naked  rock,  the  eye  takes  in  a  vast  extent  of  country  on  every  side. 
On  the  eastand  south  the  distant  hills  are  comparatively  low,  and  seem 
to  possess  an  even  outline.  On  the  west  and  northwest,  mountain 
ridges,  and  peaks  succeed  one  another,  becoming  more  and  more  faint 
until  the  distant  Hoosic  and  Green  Mountains  fade  away  into  the  blue 
heavens.  Several  neat  villages  around  the  base  of  this  mountain  with 
numerous  ponds  of  considerable  extent,  give  an  interesting  variety 
and  liveliness  to  the  picture.  Probably  more  of  Massachusetts  may 
be  seen  from  this  mountain  than  from  any  other  in  the  State.  It  at- 
tracts numerous  visitors,  and  a  small  square  wooden  tower  has  been 
erected  on  the  top. 

Blue  Hills. 

This  is  the  highest  and  most  conspicuous  range  of  hills  in  the  vicin- 
ity of  Boston.  It  is  most  elevated  at  its  western  extremity,  in  the 
southwest  part  of  Milton,  where  it  rises  710  feet  above  the  ocean.  A 
little  to  the  southeast,  and  just  within  the  limits  of  Quincy,  the  sum- 
mit is  elevated  680  feet.  Still  farther  east  it  is  570  feet.  Northeast 
a  little  from  this  peak,  another  is  530  feet  high.  The  Monument 
Quarry  in  the  northeast  part  of  these  hills,  is  390  feet  high;  and  Pine 
Hill,  to  the  southeast  of  this  quarry,  is  235  feet  high.  All  these  sum- 
mits command  extensive  and  most  interesting  prospects.  And  there 
are  some  circumstances  that  impart  to  these  landscapes  peculiar  inter- 
est. One  is  the  proximity  of  these  hills  to  Boston  ;  whose  numerous 
edifices,  masts,  spires  and  towers  ;  and,  nobly  peering  above  the  rest, 
the  dome  of  the  State  House,  present  before  the  observer,  a  most  for- 
cible example  of  human  skill  and  industry,  vieing  with,  and  almost 
eclipsing  nature.  And  the  high  state  of  cultivation  exhibited  in  the 
vicinity  of  Boston,  with  the  numerous  elegant  mansions  of  private 


Hills  in  the  Vicinity  of  Boston.  85 

gentlemen  crowning  almost  every  hill,  and  imparting  an  air  of  fresh- 
ness and  animation  to  the  valley  and  the  plain,  testify  how  much 
taste  and  wealth  can  do  in  giving  new  charms  to  the  face  of  nature. 

From  these  hills  the  observer  has  also  a  fine  view  of  Boston  Har- 
bor ;  and  this  is  another  circumstance  of  peculiar  interest.  For  to 
look  out  upon  the  ocean  is  always  an  imposing  sight ;  but  when  that 
ocean  is  studded  with  islands,  most  picturesque  in  shape  and  position, 
and  the  frequent  sail  is  seen  gliding  among  them,  he  must  be  insen- 
sible indeed,  whose  soul  does  not  kindle  at  the  scene,  and  linger  upon 
it  with  delight. 

On  Monument  Hill,  is  opened  perhaps  the  largest  of  the  quarries 
of  Q,uincy  granite ;  and  from  thence  a  rail  road  (the  only  one  of 
much  extent  yet  existing  in  Massachusetts)  runs  directly  to  Nepon- 
set  river:  and  this  is  another  circumstance  of  peculiar  interest  to 
the  visitor  of  these  hills.  Let  him  ascend  the  granite  tower,  which 
the  proprietors  of  the  quary  have  erected  on  its  site,  and  he  will  have 
before  him,  not  merely  the  rich  variety  of  natural  and  artificial  ob- 
jects above  described,  but  this  railway,  also,  stretching  away  for  miles 
in  a  right  line  towards  the  river,  with  here  and  there  the  cars  going 
and  returning.  Such  conveyances,  however,  will  soon  cease  to  be  a 
novelty  in  Massachusetts. 

Many  other  hills  of  moderate  altitude  around  Boston,  particularly 
on  the  south  of  the  city,  might  be  mentioned  as  worthy  of  a  visit  for 
the  prospects  presented  from  their  summits.  The  heights  of  the  fol- 
lowing are  given  on  Hales's  beautiful  "  Map  of  Boston  and  its  vi- 
cinity." 

In  duincy,  near  the  Common,      -  210  feet 

do.         One  mile  north,               -                  -         -  175 

do.         A  half  mile  farther  north,  107 

do.         A  little  N.W.  of  Hon.  J.  Quincy's  seat,  40 
do.         Great  Hill,  near  the  eastern  extremity  of 

the  town,    -                            ...  94 

do.         Squantum,                             ...  99 

In  Braintree,  near  the  east  line,                                    -  205 

In  Weymouth,  near  the  west  line,          -         -         -  210 

do.         Near  Town  River  Bay,                            -  134 

In  Hingham,  N.W.  part  of  the  town,    -  112 

do.         On  Crown  Point,                                      -  102 

do.         A  little  N.W.  of  Mr.  Brook's  M.  House,  107 


86  Topographical  Geology. 

In  Hingham,  a  little  south  of  Mr.  Brook's  M.  House,      75  feet 

do.         Near  the  east  line  of  the  town,    -  230 

In  Cohasset,  near  the  west  line  of  the  town,      -  -     215 

do.         A  mile  south  of  Nantasket  Beach  -         175 

do.         N.E.  part  of  the  town,  close  to  the  shore,     1 10 

In  Milton,  at  the  Academy,  -         208 

do.         One  mile  south  of  this  place,  -     226 

do.         A  mile  west  of  the  last,      -  217 

do.         N.W.  part  of  the  town,  -     216 

In  Dedham,  at  Mr.  White's  M.  House,  -        405 

In  Dover,  Pine  Hill,  south  part,        -  -  -     400 

In  Waltham,  Prospect  Hill,  -•...'     470 

do.         Bear  Hill,     -  -     510 

do.         Near  the  N.E.  line  of  the  town,  570 

In  Lincoln,  Dr.  Stearns's  M.  House,  -     470 

do.         Mount  Tabor,    -  370 

In  West  Cambridge,  near  the  S.W.  line  of  the  town,      320 

In  Watertown,  N.W.  corner,  -         310 

In  Charlestown,  Prospect  Hill,  -     120    ' 

do.         Winter  Hill,      -  120 

In  Chelsea,  Pulling  point,  -       84 

In  Lynn,  near  Phillips  Point,        -  135 

do.         Near  King's  Beach,       -  -     147 

do.         A  mile  N.E.  of  Lynn  Hotel,      -  120 

do.         Half  a  mile  north  of  "       "     -  -     125 

do.         A  mile  north  of          "       "  140 

In  Marblehead,  Legg's  Hill,     -  -     160 

do.         Half  a  mile  N.E.  from  do.  97 

do.         Three  quarters  of  a  mile  N.E.  of  the  last,    105 

do.         N.E.  part  of  the  town,        -  135 

do.         A  little  north  of  the  village,  -     130 

do.         On  Marblehead  Neck,  137 

In  Salem,  east  of  Spring  Pond,  -     197 

do.         N.W.  part  of  the  town,       -  145 

do.         S.E.  part  of  the  town,    -  -     175 

do.         A  little  west  of  South  Fields,      -  186 

Some  of  the  views  from  the  hills  around  Salem  and  those  on 
the  promontory  of  Marblehead,  are  of  an  imposing  character.  The 
extreme  rockiness  of  the  coast  and  islands  strikes  the  observer  at  first 


The  Vallies  of  Berkshire.  87 

as  evidence  of  irreclaimable  sterility.  But  when  he  sees  the  luxuri- 
ant vegetation  of  every  cultivated  spot,  and  the  populousness  and  ele- 
gance of  Salem  and  many  of  the  neighboring  villages,  the  contrast 
increases  his  pleasure. 

Having  thus  noticed  all  the  important  hills  and  mountains  in  the 
State,  with  reference  to  views  from  their  summits,  I  proceed  briefly 
to  sketch  the  picturesque  scenery  of  particular  districts.  For  we 
have  not  seen  all  that  is  interesting  in  the  scenery  of  a  country  when 
we  have  only  looked  over  it  from  its  elevated  points.  The  ever  vary- 
ing prospects  which  are  produced  by  those  elevations,  to  one  wind- 
ing through  the  vallies  among  them,  are  often  of  the  most  romantic 
character. 

The  Vallies  of  Berkshire. 

In  exemplification  of  this  position,  let  us  suppose  an  observer  to 
pass  from  "Williamstown  southerly  through  New  Ashford,  Lanes- 
borough,  Lenox,  Lee,  Stockbridge,  Great  Barrington,  and  Sheffield. 
Till  beyond  New  Ashford,  he  will  be  following  one  of  the  branches 
of  Hoosic  river  up  the  valley  of  Williamstown.  On  his  right  rises 
the  broad  slope  of  the  Taconnic  range  of  mountains  ;  while  on  his 
left,  and  near  at  hand,  Saddle  Mountain  shoots  up  in  imposing  grand- 
eur ;  and  more  distant,  through  a  lateral  valley,  a  part  of  the  Hoosic 
range  is  visible.  If  it  be  spring,  these  mountain  sides  exhibit  numer- 
ous species  of  trees  and  shrubs  emulating  one  another  in  putting  on 
their  party-coloured  foliage ;  while  here  and  there  an  Aronia,  or  a 
Cornus,  is  entirely  clothed  with  white  blossoms  before  the  appearance 
of  its  leaves.  Jf  it  be  summer,  these  vast  slopes  are  covered  from 
base  to  summit  with  a  vegetable  dress,  embracing  every  hue  of  green 
from  the  dark  hemlock  and  pine,  to  the  almost  silvery  whiteness  of 
the  white  oak  and  poplar.  If  it  be  autumn,  that  same  foliage,  now 
assuming  almost  every  colour  of  the  spectrum,  and  of  hues  almost 
as  bright,  presents  one  of  the  most  splendid  objects  in  nature. 

As  the  traveler  approaches  New  Ashford,  the  hills  crowd  closer 
and  closer  upon  his  path,  which  winds  among  them  in  conformity 
with  the  sinuosities  of  the  river ;  and  a  succession  of  romantic  and 
Alpine  beauties  is  constantly  opening  before  him. 

Having  reached  the  north  part  of  Lanesborough,  he  begins  to  de- 
scend into  the  Valley  of  the  Housatonic,  which  gradually  widens 
before  him,  and  ere  he  reaches  Sheffield,  presents  to  his  view  a 
number  of  most  delightful  villages,  generally  in  the  vicinity  of  fertile 


88  Topographical  Geology. 

alluvial  tracts ;  while  on  every  side,  mountains  of  various  altitudes 
and  of  almost  every  shape,  form  the  outline  of  the  landscape.  Where, 
for  instance,  does  the  traveler  meet  in  any  part  of  our  land  with 
lovelier  spots  than  Pittsfield,  Lenox,  Lee,  Stockbridge,  and  Great 
Barrington ! 

Valley  of  the  Connecticut. 

The  circumstances  that  render  the  scenery  of  this  valley  so  attrac- 
tive to  the  man  of  taste,  are  the  extent  and  fertility  of  its  alluvial 
meadows  ;  the  precipitous  boldness  and  irregular  outline  of  its  trap 
and  sandstone  ranges,already  described;  and  the  magnitude  and  beauty 
of  the  Connecticut,  and  of  its  principal  tributaries,  the  Westfield  and 
the  Deerfield,  winding  through  the  secondary  basins  which  their 
waters  or  other  agencies  have  produced.  Let  such  a  region  as  this 
be  sprinkled  over  with  villages  like  Longmeadow,  Springfield,  West- 
Springfield,  South- Hadley,  Amherst,  Sunderland,  Northampton,  Had- 
ley,  Hatfield,  Deerfield,  Greenfield,  and  Northfield,  and  it  needs  the 
inspiration  of  poetry  to  describe  its  beauties.  Unfortunately,  how- 
ever, the  Valley  of  the  Connecticut  remains  yet  to  be  described. 

Several  of  the  villages  above  named  are  sufficiently  elevated  to  over- 
look the  surrounding  region  to  a  considerable  extent,  though  neigh- 
boring mountains  still  tower  above  them ;  and  thus  are  combined  the 
beauties  and  advantages  of  a  location  upon  a  hill,  with  those  to  be 
found  in  a  valley.  The  upper  terrace  of  Springfield,  on  which 
stands  the  United  States  Armory,  is  thus  elevated.  Still  higher  is 
South  Hadley,  with  Holyoke  and  Tom  half  encircling  it  on  the  west 
and  north,  except  where  the  Connecticut  has  opened  a  passage  be- 
tween these  mountains ;  serving  as  a  vista  through  which  is  disclosed 
at  greater  distance  the  Hoosic  range.  From  the  Gymnasium  on 
Round  Hill  in  Northampton  is  one  of  the  richest  views  of  fertile 
meadows,  and  mountains  of  fantastic  shape,  to  be  found  in  the  coun- 
try. From  the  Gymnasium  at  Amherst  is  a  similar  prospect ;  and 
from  the  College  tower  in  the  same  place,  one  of  wider  range  and 
more  imposing  features.  From  the  Seminary  in  Greenfield,  a  south- 
ern prospect  opens  of  enchanting  beauty. 

The  opening  of  a  new  rdud  along  the  banks  of  the  Connecticut,  in 
the  northwest  part  of  South  Hadley,  has  brought  to  light  (I  mean,  to 
my  own  eyes,)  a  most  lovely  landscape.  Standing  on  the  elevated 
bank  and  facing  the  northwest,  you  look  directly  up  the  Connecticut 
river,  where  it  passes  between  Holyoke  and  Tom ;  those  mountains 


Valley  of  the  Connecticut.  89 

rising  with  precipitous  boldness  on  either  side  of  the  valley.  Through 
the  opening,  the  river  is  seen  for  two  or  three  miles,  enlivened  by 
one  or  two  lovely  islands,  while  over  the  rich  meadows  that  con- 
stitute the  banks,  are  scattered  trees,  through  which,  half  hidden, 
appears  in  the  distance  the  village  of  Northampton ;  its  more  con- 
spicuous edifices  only  being  visible.  Far  beyond,  and  forming 
the  remote  outline  of  the  picture,  lies  the  broad  eastern  slope  of  the 
Hoosic  mountains.  (See  Plate  IV.) 

Another  road  has  been  recently  opened  on  the  banks  of  the  Con- 
necticut in  the  north  part  of  Springfield,  a  mile  or  two  below  South 
Hadley  Canal :  and  here,  too,  as  you  face  the  northwest,  a  landscape 
full  of  interest  opens  before  you.  In  full  view  towards  the  left  hand 
side  of  the  picture,  you  have  the  Falls  in  the  Connecticut  and  the 
entrance  of  the  Canal  on  the  north  shore.  A  little  to  the  right  of 
the  Canal,  a  well  built  village  occupies  a  beautiful  ampitheatre,  whose 
elevated  border  is  not  less  than  150  feet  high,  and  mostly  crowned 
with  oaks  and  pines.  Beyond  this  at  no  great  distance,  however, 
Mount  Tom  occupies  the  back  ground  with  its  bold  and  imposing 
outline.  (See  Plate  VI.) 

Three  miles  southeast  of  Sugar  Loaf,  in  Deerfield,  that  peak  pre- 
sents one  of  the  most  unique  views  conceivable.  Its  outlines  are  so 
regular,  that  were  the  traveler  to  meet  with  it  in  Egypt,  he  might,  at 
first  view,  regard  it  as  indebted  to  human  art,  for  its  present  shape. 
At  any  rate,  in  that  country  it  would  probably  have  been  wrought 
into  a  second  Sphinx,  or  some  other  gigantic  monster.  But  to  the 
student  of  nature  it  is  no  less  interesting  as  the  work  of  God.  A  lit- 
tle to  the  left,  as  seen  from  the  place  mentioned  above,  the  southern 
point  of  the  Deerfield  Mountain,  sometimes  called  North  Sugar  Loaf, 
appears,  as  well  as  the  bold  western  front  of  that  range  for  several 
miles  :  and  a  little  to  the  right,  across  the  Connecticut,  Mount  Toby 
is  in  full  view.  The  sketch,  Plate  VII.,  was  taken  considerably 
nearer  to  Sugar  Loaf,  and  differs  somewhat  from  the  above  description. 

Ravine  of  Westfield  River. 

Westfield  river  has  found  or  formed  a  deep  passage  across  the 
whole  eastern  slope  of  the  Hoosic  range  of  Mountains,  through  the 
towns  of  Westfield,  Russell,  Blanford,  Chester,  and  Middlefield. 
The  ravine  through  which  it  passes,  is  for  the  most  part  very  deep 
and  narrow,  and  cuts  across,  not  only  the  general  direction  of  the 
mountain  ranges,  but  across  the  rock  strata  also.  Hence  it  might  be 
12 


90  Topographical  Geology. 

expected  that  the  sides  of  this  ravine  would  exhibit  wild  and  interest- 
ing scenery.  Nor  will  this  expectation  be  disappointed,  if  the  trav- 
eler follows  the  Pontoosuc  Turnpike  through  this  defile.  Hills  and 
precipicies  of  every  shape  will  crowd  upon  his  path,  now  approach- 
ing so  as  to  form  a  narrow  gorge,  and  now  gently  retiring  so  as  to 
leave  room  enough  for  some  industrious  farmer  to  erect  his  habitation, 
and  gain  a  subsistence  in  the  deeply  embosomed  glen.  In  passing 
through  such  a  region,  the  man  .destitute  of  taste  will  be  heard 
speaking  only  of  the  roughness,  sterility,  and  gloominess  of  the 
country ;  while  the  man  of  taste  and  sensibility  will  be  absorbed  in 
admiring  its  beauties  and  sublimities. 

Ravine  and  Gorge  of  Deerfield  River. 

Still  more  remarkable  is  the  gulf  through  which  Deerfield  river 
passes,  in  a  southeast  direction,  nearly  across  the  whole  of  the  broad 
mountain  range,  between  the  Connecticut  and  Williamstown  valleys. 
Perhaps  the  best  route  for  visiting  this  ravine,  is  to  take  the  turnpike 
road  from  Greenfield  to  Williamstown.  On  this  route  the  traveler 
will  not  come  upon  the  banks  of  the  Deerfield,  until  he  reaches  the 
west  part  of  Shelburne :  but  he  will  obtain  a  most  delightful  view  of 
Greenfield,  as  he  ascends  the  high  hills  west  of  that  place ;  and  as  to 
the  defile,  through  which  Deerfield  river  runs  between  Shelburne  and 
Conway,  it  is  so  narrow,  and  the  banks,  of  several  hundred  feet  in 
height,  are  so  steep,  that  it  is  difficult  even  on  foot  to  find  a  passage ; 
though  full  of  romantic  and  sublime  objects  to  the  man  who  has  the 
strength  and  courage  to  pass  through  it.  From  the  west  part  of 
Shelburne,  however,  to  the  foot  of  the  principal  ridge  of  Hoosic 
mountain  in  Florida,  a  good  road  leads  along  the  banks  of  the  stream ; 
though  in  a  few  places  hard  pressed  between  the  hill  and  the  river. 
In  one  spot  it  is  actually  sustained  a  hundred  feet  above  the  river,  up- 
on piles  driven  into  the  steep  and  naked  declivity  of  a  mountain  slide. 
But  through  nearly  the  whole  of  Charlemont,  the  hills  recede  so  far 
from  the  river,  as  to  form  an  alluvial  valley  of  considerable  width  and 
fertility.  The  loftiness  of  these  hills,  however,  and  the  frequent 
openings  of  lateral  ravines,  through  which  the  small  tributaries  of 
Deerfield  river  disembogue,  keep  the  attention  of  the  tasteful  man 
awake.  As  he  goes  westward,  these  hills  approach  nearer  and  nearer 
to  the  river,  become  bolder  in  their  outlines,  and  steeper  in  their  de- 
clivities, till  at  length,  in  Zoar  and  Florida,  they  shoot  up,  sometimes, 
a  thousand  feet  high,  in  a  variety  of  spiry  and  fantastic  forms,  and 


Valley  of  Worcester.  91 

the  traveler,  as  he  looks  forward,  can  often  see  no  opening  through 
which  the  river  can  find  its  way.  The  murmuring  of  its  waters, 
however,  at  the  bottom  of  the  gulf,  sometimes  swelling  into  a  roar,  as 
they  rush  through  some  narrow  defile,  tell  him  that  they  have  found 
a  passage.  At  length  the  road  leaves  the  river  and  ascends  the  ridge, 
which  in  the  vicinity  is  alone  denominated  Hoosic  Mountain,  and 
which  is  here  1448  feet  above  the  river.  It  is  well  to  follow  this  road 
at  least  to  the  height  of  a  thousand  feet,  in  order  to  look  back  upon 
the  wild  and  singular  grouping  of  mountains,  among  which  this 
river  has  strangely  found  a  passage ;  and  also  to  get  a  view  of  some 
of  those  vast  slopes  of  unbroken  forest,  which  the  sides  of  these 
mountains  present ;  and  which  during  the  twilight,  are  most  splendid 
objects. 

In  two  or  three  instances  it  has  happened  that  I  have  passed  along 
this  ravine  in  the  evening,  when  the  moon  was  well  above  the  hori- 
zon ;  and  I  can  truly  say,  that  the  wildness  and  sublimity  of  the  scene 
were  thereby  immensely  heightened ;  so  that  I  felt  it  to  be  a  privilege 
to  be  thus  benighted. 

Near  the  mouth  of  Deerfield  River,  in  Deerfield,  is  a  remarkable 
gorge  through  which  that  stream  empties  into  the  Connecticut.  A 
greenstone  ridge  of  300  or  400  feet  in  height,  has  been  cut  through 
in  some  way  or  other,  in  width  only  sufficient  to  suffer  the  river  to 
pass.  This  pass  is  in  full  view  from  the  stage  road  between  Deer- 
field  and  Greenfield  where  it  crosses  Deerfield  River. 

Valley  of  Worcester. 

Apart  from  human  culture,  this  geographical  center  of  Massachu- 
setts would  present  no  very  striking  attractions  to  the  lover  of  natural 
scenery.  But  this  valley  possesses  precisely  those  features  which 
art  is  capable  of  rendering  extremely  fascinating.  And  there  is 
scarcely  to  be  met  with,  in  this  or  any  other  country,  a  more  charm- 
ing landscape  than  Worcester  presents,  from  almost  any  of  the  mod- 
erately elevated  hills  that  surround  it.  The  high  state  of  agriculture 
in  every  part  of  the  valley,  and  the  fine  taste  and  neatness  exhibited 
in  all  the  buildings  of  this  flourishing  town,  with  the  great  elegance 
of  many  edifices,  and  the  intermingling  of  so  many  and  so  fine  shade 
and  fruit  trees,  spread  over  the  prospect  beauty  of  a  high  order,  on 
which  the  eye  delights  to  linger.  I  have  never  seen,  in  a  communi- 
ty of  equal  extent,  so  few  marks  of  poverty  and  human  degradation 
as  in  this  valley.  And  it  is  this  aspect  of  comfort  and  independence 


92  Topographical  Geology. 

among  all  classes,  that  enhances  greatly  the  pleasure  with  which 
every  true  American  heart  contemplates  this  scene ;  since  it  must 
be  considered  as  exhibiting  the  happy  influence  of  our  free  insti- 
tutions. 

Valley  of  the  Merrimack. 

The  scenery  along  this  river  is  characterised  by  beauty  rather  than 
sublimity.  The  hills  and  mountains  are  rarely  precipitous  or  very 
lofty ;  but  generally  of  gentle  ascent  and  capable  of  cultivation  to 
their  summits.  The  attractions  of  the  landscape  consist  of  a  noble 
river,  beautiful  villages,  and  well  cultivated  fields  and  meadows.  To 
the  man  who  loves  to  see  natural  scenery  modified  by  human  culture, 
and  on  every  side  the  marks  of  an  intelligent  and  happy  population, 
with  manufacturing  establishments  uncommonly  flourishing,  a  ride 
down  this  stream,  on  either  bank,  cannot  but  be  highly  interesting. 
And  when  he  approaches  the  ocean,  let  him  enter  Newburyport  from, 
the  north,  across  the  chain  bridge,  and  he  will  have  before  him  a  de- 
lightful view  of  one  of  the  most  beautiful  towns  in  New  England. 
And  if  he  wishes  still  farther  to  witness  the  riches  of  the  surrounding 
scenery,  let  him  ascend  the  tower  of  the  fifth  church  in  that  place,  and 
a  wide  scene  of  beauties  on  the  land  and  the  sea — natural  and  artifi: 
cial — fills  the  circle  of  his  vision. 

Boston  Harbor. 

Let  no  man  imagine  that  he  has  seen  all  that  is  interesting  in  the 
scenery  of  Massachusetts,  until  he  has  made  an  excursion  by  water 
in  the  harbor  of  Boston,  as  far  at  least  as  the  Light  House.  A  city  is 
always  an  imposing  object  when  seen  from  the  water,  especially,  if 
like  Boston,  its  site  be  considerably  unequal  and  slope  towards  the 
observer.  But  the  numerous  islands  in  this  harbor,  some  of  them 
exceedingly  picturesque  and  even  unique  in  appearance,  constitute  no 
small  part  of  the  attractions  of  this  delightful  excursion. 

View  from  the  State  House. 

Upon  the  whole  there  is  not  a  more  magnificent  prospect  in  Massa- 
chusetts, than  that  from  the  dome  of  the  State  House  in  Boston ;  and 
it  will  bear  a  comparison,  it  is  said,  with  the  most  celebrated  views  of 
a  similar  kind  in  Europe.  This  noble  building  stands  upon  Beacon 
Hill,  the  highest  spot  in  Boston  ;  and  the  lantern  upon  its  dome  is 
about  200  feet  above  the  harbor.  From  this  elevation  the  whole  of 


View  from  the  State  House.  93 

Boston,  with  its  wharfs,  shipping,  and  public  edifices ;  all  the  islands 
in  its  harbor ;  the  shores  of  the  harbor  lined  with  villages  and  culti- 
vated fields ;  and  within  a  circle  of  ten  miles,  not  less  than  20  vil- 
lages, containing,  with  Boston,  more  than  120,000  inhabitants,  are 
here  surveyed  at  a  glance.  Almost  every  dwelling  of  this  numerous 
population,  is,  indeed,  visible :  and  it  is  rare  to  see  in  a  circle  of  so 
small  extent,  as  many  edifices  so  elegant ;  and  so  few  that  indicate 
extreme  poverty  and  wretchedness.  So  richly  cultivated  is  the  vicin- 
ity of  Boston,  that  it  has  the  appearance  of  a  vast  garden.  Yet  we 
do  not  see  here  the  traces  of  that  vandal  spirit,  Avhich,  in  so  many 
parts  of  our  land,  is  making  sad  havoc  with  our  groves  and  shade 
trees;  but  enough  have  been  spared  or  planted  in  this  vicinity  to  give 
a  refreshing  and  luxuriant  aspect  to  the  scenery. 

The  political  and  moral  considerations  which  irresistibly  force 
themselves  on  the  mind  when  contemplating  such  a  scene,  cannot  fail 
greatly  to  increase  the  pleasure  of  the  observer.  What  a  drawback 
upon  that  pleasure  must  it  be,  when  the  traveler  is  compelled  to  say, 
as  he  cannot  but  say,  when  gazing  on  a  large  proportion  of  the  in- 
teresting scenery  of  the  eastern  continent, 

"  Art,  glory,  freedom  fails,  though  Nature  still  is  fair." 

On  the  contrary,  how  refreshing  to  the  benevolent  spirit,  as  it  surveys 
from  this  eminence  the  dwellings  of  120,OQO  human  beings,  to  be 
assured  that  there  is  not  a  slave  among  them  all ;  and  that  could  the 
eye  take  in  every  part  of  the  commonwealth,  it  would  read  on  every 
door  post  the  inscription,  "  all  men  are  born  free  and  equal;"  a  maxim 
which  exerts  a  talismanic  influence  in  defending  the  feeblest  inmate 
against  oppression.  Nor  should  the  observer  forget  that  this  same 
maxim  forms  the  basis  of  every  law  originating  from  the  edifice  on 
which  he  stands  ;  and  that  it  is  not  licentious  liberty  that  is  here  en- 
joyed ;  but  liberty  guarded  by  law,  and  sustained  by  law :  and  that  it 
is  the  general  prevalence  of  knowledge  and  virtue  in  the  commu- 
nity, that  renders  it  possible  to  sustain  a  proper  balance  between  lib- 
erty and  law.  Foreign  nations  may  predict  that  our  beautiful  repub- 
lican system  will  be  ephemeral.  It  will,  indeed,  pass  away,  whenever 
unprincipled  ignorance  shall  be  permitted  to  bear  sway.  But  so  long 
as  intelligence  and  moral  principle  predominate  in  the  community, 
the  ark  of  liberty  is  safe.  At  any  rate,  it  is  certain  that  we  do  now 
enjoy  the  blessings  of  freedom,  and  the  means,  widly  diffused,  of  in- 
tellectual, moral  and  religious  cultivation.  As  a  consequence,  con- 


94  Topographical  Geology. 

tentment,  competence,  and  happiness,  are  found  even  among  the  low- 
est classes  in  the  community.  The  traveler  of  a  benevolent  heart 
will  rejoice  to  see,  as  he  wanders  over  the  hills  and  vallies  of  our 
commonwealth,  how  very  few  in  the  community  have  not  all  the  es- 
sential means  of  human  happiness  within  their  reach.  He  need  not 
fear  being  detained  for  days  in  the  wildest  and  most  secluded  parts  of 
the  State.  For  scarcely  will  he  find  the  hut,  where  if  really  needing 
shelter,  he  will  not  find  a  welcome,  and  all  that  a  temperate  man  needs 
to  make  him  comfortable.  A  man  who  has  frequently  been  thrown 
into  such  situations,  or  in  other  words,  has  had  opportunity  to  learn 
the  character  and  circumstances  of  the  lowest  as  well  as  the  highest 
classes  in  our  community,  will  find  his  pleasure  greatly  heightened 
in  surveying  our  scenery.  Let  us  hope  that  succeeding  travelers, 
through  many  generations,  may  not  be  deprived  of  this  same  happi- 
ness ;  and  instead  of  indulging  in  gloomy  predictions  of  the  downfall 
of  liberty,  let  every  man  strive  to  form  and  retain  that  intellectual, 
moral  and  religious  character,  which  is  its  only  effectual  support. 

But  I  fear  that  I  am  wandering  beyond  my  appropriate  sphere,  by 
these  remarks.  I  proceed  to  notice  some  other  objects  worthy  the 
attention  of  the  man  of  leisure  and  taste. 

New  Bedford  seen  from  its  Harbor. 

This  flourishing  place,  already  wearing  the  aspect  of  a  populous 
city,  is  seen  to  great  advantage  in  sailing  up  its  harbor.  As  the 
ground  on  which  it  is  built  slopes  towards  the  water,  the  various  ob- 
jects of  interest  are  thus  brought  into  view,  rising  above  one  another 
in  a  distinct  and  pleasing  manner. 

Narraganset  and  Mount  Hope  Bays. 

An  excursion  from  Taunton  to  Newgort,  Rhode  Island,  down 
Taunton  river  and  Mount  Hope  Bay,  and  especially  from  Providence 
to  Newport  along  Narraganset  Bay,  conducts  the  traveler  among  sce- 
nery of  great  beauty  and  loveliness.  The  fertility  of  most  of  the 
country,  the  neat  villages  along  the  way,  the  numerous  irregular 
contractions  and  expansion  of  these  bays,  forming  capes,  isth- 
muses, promontories,  bays  and  harbors  in  miniature ;  the  islands 
that  are  occasionally  interspersed,  and  the  interesting  historical  as- 
sociations connected  with  that  region,  conspire  to  keep  the  attention 
alive  and  to  gratify  the  taste.  Mount  Hope,  the  granite  watch 
tower  of  the  celebrated  sachem  Phillip,  still  commands  a  fine  prospect 


Cape  Ann.  95 

of  the  surrounding  region  ;  and  we  see  at  once  why  that  sagacious 
chieftain  selected  this  place  for  his  retreat.' 

The  north  and  south  shores  of  Massachusetts  Bay  present  much 
scenery  of  such  a  sui  generis  or  peculiar  character,  as  to  render  it 
extremely  interesting  to  one  unaccustomed  to  it.  As  a  general  fact, 
there  is  so  great  a  contrast  in  the  appearance  of  the  two  capes  that 
form  this  Bay,  that  a  visit  to  the  one,  only  prepares  the  way  for  ren- 
dering more  interesting  an  excursion  to  the  other.  We  will  suppose 
the  traveler  to  start  from  Boston  and  first  proceed  along  the  north 
shore  of  the  bay. 

Nahant. 

He  will  not  fail  to  visit  Nahant ;  which  will  be  the  first  place  of 
peculiar  interest  he  will  meet  with  along  this  coast.  It  is  a  bold 
rocky  promontory,  connected  by  a  low  sandy  neck  of  land  with  Lynn : 
Or  rather,  it  consists  of  two  islands  connected  together,  and  with  the 
main  land,  by  ridges  of  sand  and  pebbles.  At  low  water,  a  perfectly 
smooth  beach  of  the  finest  sand  is  laid  bare,  which  constitutes  the 
road  from  the  mainland ;  and  this  sand  is  so  firmly  compacted  by  the 
perpetual  beating  of  the  waves  of  the  Atlantic,  that  neither  horse  nor 
carriage  make  scarcely  a  perceptible  impression.  Hence  the  ride  be- 
comes a  delightful  one  ;  And  although  the  promontory  itself  has  a 
very  barren  and  desolate  appearance,  yet  the  singularity  of  the  surroun- 
ding scenery,  the  neatness  of  the  houses,  built  in  peculiar  style, 
and  the  wide  extent  of  the  horizon,  conspire  to  render  the  prospect  du- 
ring the  summer  of  a  most  attractive  character.  It  is  a  place  of  great 
resort  in  the  warmer  months,  and  a  steam  boat  plies  daily  between 
this  place  and  Boston.  The  vicinity  of  the  spacious  hotel  at  Nahant 
is  very  interesting  to  the  geologist:  But  the  particular  characteristics 
of  the  rocks  must  be  deferred  to  a  subsequent  part  of  this  report. 

Cape  Ann. 

I  have  already  spoken  of  the  rockiness  of  the  coast  in  the  vicinity 
of  Salem.  As  we  proceed  towards  Gloucester,  which  occupies  all  of 
what  is  properly  called  Cape  Ann,  the  ledges  multiply ;  and  on  the 
Cape  the  forests  are  mostly  cut  down,  while  the  surface  is  almost  lit- 
erally covered,  either  with  rocks  in  place,  or  with  bowlders  of  every 
size.  In  the  northeastern  part  of  Gloucester  particularly,  the  soil  is 
almost  wholly  concealed  by  the  countless  number  of  these  rounded 
masses.  Over  nearly  all  the  Cape,  indeed,  sienite  of  every  descrip- 


96  Topographical  Geology. 

tion  meets  the  eye  in  immense  quantities  ;  and  the  traveler  naturally 
inquires  whither  the  soil  has  been  carried,  which  must  once  have  cov- 
ered them ;  and  what  mighty  flood  of  waters  could  have  swept  over 
this  region  with  the  fury  requisite  to  produce  such  devastation. 
Scenery  of  this  kind,  would  be  regarded  as  extremely  dreary,  were 
not  this'desolation  carried  to  such  an  extent  as  to  be  interesting  by  its 
novelty.  It  is  scarcely  possible  for  any  man,  however  little  interested 
in  the  bizarre  of  natural  scenery,  to  traverse  this  region  for  the  first 
time,  without  having  his  attention  forcibly  and  constantly  directed  to 
the  landscape  around  him.  And  hence  this  must  be  one  of  the  best 
excursions  for  those  afflicted  with  ennui,  that  can  be  found.  More 
extensive,  however,  and  in  general,  finely  contrasted  with  the  scenery 
of  Cape  Ann,  is  that  along  the  south  side  of  the  Bay. 

Nantasket  Beach  and  Hull. 

Supposing  the  traveler  to  start  as  before  from  Boston,  the  long  and 
narrow  neck  of  land  connecting  the  settlement  of  Hull  with  the  main- 
land must  not  be  passed  unvisited.  To  say  nothing  of  the  rocks 
which  at  the  head  of  this  beach  constitute  almost  the  entire  surface, 
rivaling  even  Cape  Ann  in  this  respect,  and  which  on  the  shore  pre- 
sent a  remarkable  and  elegant  variety  of  colours,  the  beach  itself,  not 
less  than  4  or  5  miles  in  extent,  is  much  more  interesting  than  that 
leading  to  Nahant.  The  Light  House  and  the  Brewster  and  other 
islands  in  view,  as  one  advances  towards  Hull,  are  picturesque  objects  ; 
and  then  the  pleasant  and  sunny  situation  of  the  little  village  of  Hull, 
furnishes  a  convenient  resting  place  for  the  traveler. 

In  proceeding  from  this  beach  to  Cape  Cod,  the  traveler  should  not 
fail  to  pass  along  the  north  shore  of  Cohasset  —  the  most  rocky  place 
perhaps  in  the  Commonwealth. 

Cape  Cod. 

But  after  passing  Duxbury,  the  region  of  sand  and  gravel  commen- 
ces ;  and  to  Provincetown,  the  extremity  of  Cape  Cod,  no  genuine 
ledge  of  rocks  appears  ;  although  bowlders  of  every  size,  over  the 
greater  part  of  the  distance,  are  common. 

The  dunes  or  sand  hills,  which  are  often  nearly  or  quite  barren  of 
vegetation,  and  of  snowy  whiteness,  forcibly  attract  the  attention  on 
account  of  their  peculiarity  :  while  the  numerous  wind  mills  and  vats 
along  the  shore,  for  the  manufacture  of  salt,  are  scarcely  less  interes- 
ting to  one  not  familiar  with  such  processes.  As  we  approach  the 


Cape  Cod.  97 

extremity  of  the  Cape,  the  sand  and  the'^barrenness  increase  ;  and  in 
not  a  few  places,  it  would  need  only  a  party  of  Bedouin  Arabs  to 
cross  the  traveler's  path,  to  make  him  feel  that  he  was  in  the  depths 
of  an  Arabian  or  Lybian  desert.  Very  different  from  Bedouins,  how- 
ever, will  he  find  the  population  of  Cape  Cod.  In  the  midst  of  the 
sands  he  will  find  many  an  oasis,  where  comfortable  and  not  unfre- 
quently  pleasant  villages  have  sprung1  up,  inhabited  by  a  people  of 
mild  and  obliging  disposition,  and  not  deficient  in  intelligence.  A 
large  proportion  of  the  houses  on  the  Cape  are,  indeed,  but  one  story 
high.  Yet  they  are  for  the  most  part  convenient  and  comfortable  ; 
exhibiting  the  marks  of  a  thrift  and  independence  which  one  would  not 
expect,  when  he  considers  the  general  barrenness  of  the  landscape.  I 
could  name  several  parts  of  Massachusetts,  where  the  marks  of  pov- 
erty are  far  more  striking  than  on  Cape  Cod. 

The  sand  is  so  yielding  that  the  traveler  will  find  it  more  conve- 
nient to  leave  his  carriage  20  or  30  miles  short  of  the  extremity  of 
the  Cape,  and  proceed  on  horseback :  though  it  is  practicable  to  pro- 
ceed with  wheels.  But  for  seven  or  eight  miles  before  reaching 
Provincetown,  he  must  find  his  way  almost  without  a  track  along  the 
margin  of  a  salt  marsh  during  ebb  tide.  During  flood  tide,  he  will 
be  forced  to  wade  through  the  loose  and  deep  sand  higher  up  the 
beach.  The  view  of  Provincetown  along  this  course,  however,  is  so 
peculiar,  that  the  traveler  feels  himself  amply  repaid  for  his  labor. 
A  semicircular  bay  is  enclosed  on  the  north  and  east  by  a  sandy  beach 
and  low  sand  hills  almost  destitute  of  vegetation,  which  seem  to  threat- 
en, and  do  in  fact  threaten,  to  bury  the  village,  and  to  fill  the  harbor. 
The  houses,  for  a  population  not  much  short  of  2000,  are  erected  on 
the  margin  of  this  bay,  just  above  the  reach  of  the  tide,  and  at  the 
foot  of  the  sand  hills.  These  dwellings  are  almost  as  destitute  of  or- 
der in  their  position,  as  it  is  possible  they  should  be:  such  a  thing  as 
a  regular  street,  wide  enough  for  carriages  to  pass,  being  scarcely  to 
be  found  here ;  and  why  indeed,  should  they  be,  where  traveling  in 
a  carriage,  would  be  slower  than  on  foot,  and  where  but  very  little 
fodder  can  be  obtained,  except  by  transportation,  for  horses.  But  the 
most  singular  object  in  this  place,  is  the  numerous  windmills  erected 
between  the  dwellings  and  the  harbor,  for  pumping  up  the  water  into 
reservoirs  for  evaporation.  When  set  in  brisk  motion  by  the  wind, 
standing  as  they  do  between  the  traveler  and  the  dwellings,  as  he 
comes  from  the  south,  they  give  to  the  village  a  most  singular  aspect. 
In  short  a  visit,  to  Provincetown  by  land,  would  probably  in  most  ca- 
13 


98  Topographical  Geology, 

ses,  be  quite  as  effectual  a  remedy  for  ennui  and  other  fashionable 
complaints,  as  a  resort  to  Ballston  and  Saratoga. 

In  crossing  the  sands  of  the  Cape,  I  noticed  a  singular  mirage  or 
deception,  which  was  also  observed  by  my  traveling  companions.  In 
Orleans  for  instance,  where  the  ocean  is  within  a  short  distance  on 
either  hand,  we  seemed  to  be  ascending  at  an  angle  of  three  or  four 
degrees ;  nor  was  I  convinced  that  such  was  not  the  case,  until  turn- 
ing about  I  perceived  that  a  similar  ascent  'appeared  in  the  road  just 
passed  over.  I  shall  not  attempt  to  explain  this  optical  deception : 
but  merely  remark,  that  it  is  probably  of  the  same  kind,  as  that  ob- 
served by  Humboldt,  on  the  Pampas  of  Venezuela  ;  "  All  around 
us,"  says  he,  "  the  plains  seemed  to  ascend  towards  the  sky." 

In  crossing  the  island  of  Nantucket,  in  company  with  Dr.  Swift  of 
that  place,  I  noticed  the  same  phenomenon,  though  there  less  strik- 
ing. Afterwards,  I  saw  it  for  miles  on  the  plain  in  the  southeastern 
part  of  Martha's  Vineyard.  In  the  latter  case,  the  plain  was  covered 
with  low  shrub  caks. 

Nantucket  and  Martha's  Vineyard. 

If  the  traveler  wishes  to  enjoy  more  of  the  peculiar  scenery  of 
Cape  Cod,  with  some  interesting  variations,  let  him  pass  over  to 
Nantucket  and  Martha's  Vineyard.  The  former  island  he  will  find 
to  be  an  extended  plain,  15  miles  in  its  longest  direction,  and  but 
slightly  elevated  above  the  ocean  ;  containing  not  one  tree,  nor  a  shrub 
of  much  size,  except  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  village.  Scarce- 
ly a  dwelling  will  meet  his  eye,  except  a  few  uninhabited  huts,  scat- 
tered along  the  desolate  shore,  as  a  refuge  to  the  shipwrecked  sailor, 
Yet  from  12000  to  14000  sheep,  and  500  cows  find  nourishment  on 
this  island  ;  and  in  not  a  few  places,  especially  in  the  immediate  vi- 
cinity of  the  town,  may  be  seen  tracts  of  land  of  superior  fertility. 
It  will  strike  the  traveler  at  once,  as  an  interesting  monument  of 
industry,  that  nearly  every  part  of  the  dwellings,  stores,  &c.,  for  the 
accomodation  of  more  than  7000  inhabitants,  must  have  been  trans- 
ported from  the  continent.  And  on  acquaintance,  he  will  find  that  they 
still  retain  the  characteristics  of  industry  and  hospitality,  for  which 
they  have  long  been  known;  and  that  the  usual  concomitants,  of  these 
virtues,  general  intelligence  and  strong  local  attachments,  are  not 
wanting. 


Turner's  Falls.  99 

Gay  Head. 

The  most  interesting  spot  on  Martha's  Vineyard  is  Gay  Head ; 
which  constitutes  the  western  extremity  of  this  island,  and  consists  of 
clays  and  sands  of  various  colours.  Its  height  cannot  be  more  than 
150  feet;  yet  its  variegated  aspect,  and  the  richness  of  its  colors, 
render  it  a  striking  and  even  splendid  object,  when  seen  from  the  ocean. 
The  clays  are  red,  blue  and  white ;  the  sands,  white  and  yellow;  and 
the  lignite,  black ;  and  each  of  these  substances  is  abundant  enough 
to  be  seen  several  miles  distant,  arranged  in  general  in  inclined  strata ; 
though  from  being  unequally  worn  away,  apparently  mixed  without 
much  order.  The  top  of  the  cliff  is  crowned  by  a  light  house,  which 
commands  an  extensive  prospect.  Scarcely  a  tree  is  to  be  seen  on 
this  part  of  the  island.  It  is  owned  and  inhabited  by  the  descendants 
of  the  Indian  tribes,  that  once  possessed  the  whole  island.  It  will  be 
seen  in  the  subsequent  part  of  my  report,  that  this  spot  possesses  pe- 
culiar attractions  for  the  geologist  and  mineralogist.  During  my  last 
visit  to  the  spot,  three  days  were  fully  occupied  in  interesting  re- 
searches. 

WATER  FALLS. 

We  have  one  or  two  water  falls  in  Massachusetts  of  sufficient  mag- 
nitude to  be  denominated  cataracts.  And  as  we  might  expect  in  a 
mountainous  region,  cascades  are  numerous. 

Turner's  Falls. 

These  exist  in  Connecticut  river,  near  the  point  where  the  towns 
of  Montague,  Gill,  and  Greenfield,  meet.  They  are  by  far  the  most 
interesting  water  fall  in  the  State ;  and  I  think  I  may  safely  say  in 
New  England.  At  least,  to  my  taste,  the  much  broader  sheet  of  wa- 
ter, the  higher  perpendicular  descent,  and  the  equally  romantic  scen- 
ery of  the  surrounding  country,  give  to  this  cataract  a  much  higher 
interest,  than  is  excited  by  a  view  of  the  more  celebrated  Bellow's 
Falls  on  the  same  river  in  Walpole  New  Hampshire :  and  prob- 
ably the  latter  are  generally  regarded  as  the  most  striking  object  of 
this  kind  in  New  England. 

Above  Turner's  Falls  the  Connecticut  for  about  three  miles,  pur- 
sues a  course  nearly  northwest,  through  a  region  scarcely  yet  dis- 
turbed by  cultivation  ;  and  all  this  distance  it  is  as  placid  as  a  moun- 
tain lake,  even  to  the  verge  of  the  cataract.  Here  an  artificial  dam 


100  Toftp graphical  Geology. 

has  been  erected  more  than  a  thousand  feet  long,  resting  near  the 
center  upon  two  small  islands.  Over  this  dam  the  water  leaps  more 
than  30  feet  perpendicularly  ;  and  for  half  a  mile  continues  descending 
rapidly  and  foaming  along  its  course.  One  hundred  rods  below  the 
falls,  the  stream  strikes  directly  against  a  lofty  greenstone  ridge,  by 
which  it  is  compelled  to  change  its  course  towards  the  south  at  least 
a  quarter  of  a  circle. 

The  proper  point  for  viewing  Turner's  Falls  is  from  road  leading 
to  Greenfield  on  the  north  shore,-  perhaps  50  rods  below  the  cataract. 
Here,  from  elevated  ground,  you  have  directly  before  you,  the  princi- 
pal fall,  intersected  near  the  center  by  two  small  rocky  islands,  which 
are  crowned  by  trees  and  brushwood.  The  observer  perceives  at 
once  that  Niagara  is  before  him  in  miniature.  These  islands  may  be 
reached  by  a  canoe  from  above  the  falls  in  perfect  safety.  Fifty  rods 
below  the  cataract,  a  third  most  romantic  little  island  lifts  its  ever- 
green head,  an  image  of  peace  and  security,  in  the  midst  of  the  agita- 
ted and  foaming  waters,  swiftly  gliding  by.  The  placid  aspect  of  the 
waters  above  the  fall,  calmly  emerging  from  the  moderately  elevated 
and  wooded  hills  at  a  distance,  is  finely  contrasted  with  its  foam  and 
tumult  below  the  cataract. 

The  country  around  these  falls  is  but  little  cultivated.  On  the  op- 
poste  side  of  the  river  the  observer  will,  indeed,  perceive  a  few  dwel- 
lings and  the  head  of  a  canal :  But  a  little  beyond,  wooded  elevations, 
chiefly  covered  with  evergreens,  terminate  the  landscape ;  while  in 
every  other  direction,  the  scenery  is  still  more  wild  and  unreclaimed 
from  a  state  of  nature. 

A  sailing  excursion  from  the  falls,  three  miles  up  the  stream,  has 
all  the  attractions  of  a  passage  over  a  mountain  lake.  And  probably 
the  coves  along  the  shore  furnish  as  good  spots  for  fishing  as  now 
exist  in  the  river:  The  geologist  too,  will  find  the  vicinity  of  these 
falls  full  of  interest  —  but  of  this,  more  hereafter. 

Three  miles  above  Turner's  Falls,  Miller's  river  empties  into'the 
Connecticut ;  and  near  its  mouth  is  a  fall  of  considerable  height. 
Here  also  is  another  dam  across  the  Connecticut,  about  10  feet  high. 
I  apprehend  these  falls  have  been  confounded  with  Turner's  ;  and 
hence  the  latter  are  sometimes  called  Miller's  Falls.  They  cannot, 
however,  be  said  to  have  as  yet  any  well  established  name.  For  a 
reason  which  will  be  mentioned  below,  I  ventured  some  eight  or  ten 
years  ago,  in  a  geological  account  which  I  published  of  the  Connecticut 


Shelburne  Falls.  101 

valley,  to  denominate  these  falls,  Turner's  Falls]  and  Gen.  Hoyt,  in 
his  History  of  the  Indian  Wars,  has  given  them  the  same  designa- 
tion. I  am  aware,  however,  how  very  difficult  it  is  to  make  popu- 
lar and  prevalent,  a  new  name  for  any  natural  object ;  although  in  the 
present  case,  I  doubt  not,  that  every  man  acquainted  with  the  history 
of  this  spot,  would  say  that  to  prefix  the  name  of  Capt.  Turner  to  this 
cataract,  is  appropriate  and  just. 

About  160  years  ago,  a  party  of  Philip's  Indians,  having  joined 
those  living  in  the  vicinity,  resorted  to  these  falls  to  take  fish.  On 
the  17th  of  May,  Capt.  Turner,  from  Boston,  marched  from  Hatfield, 
with  150  men,  and  came  by  surprise  upon  the  Indian  camp  the  next 
morning  at  day  light.  The  Indians  being  totally  unprepared  for  an 
attack,  fled  in  every  direction  :  some  springing  into  their  canoes  with- 
out paddles,  were  precipitated  over  the  falls  and  dashed  in  pieces. 
Three  hundred  Indians,  and  but  one  white  man,  were  killed.  Yet 
the  Indians  who  escaped,  being  joined  by  others,  fell  upon  Turner's 
party  as  they  were  returning,  and  made  a  dreadful  slaughter  among 
them;  killing  37,  among  whom  was  Capt.  Turner.  Will  not  the 
public  do  the  justice  to  this  brave  but  unfortunate  officer,  to  send  down 
his  name  to  posterity,  associated  with  that  of  the  spot  where  he  con- 
quered and  fell ! 

During  high  water,  the  roar  of  Turner's  falls  may  be  heard  from 
6  to  10  miles.  The  magnificence  of  the  cataract  is  greatly  height- 
ened at  such  a  season. 

In  order  to  visit  Turner's  Falls,  one  must  turn  aside  from  every 
great  public  road ;  and  although  but  four  miles  from  the  village  of 
Greenfield,  this  circumstance  shows  why  they  are  so  seldom  resorted 
to  by  travelers.  (See  Plate  IX.) 

Falls  at  South  Hadley. 

The  descent  of  the  water  here  being  but  a  few  feet,  these  falls  do 
not  in  themselves  possess  any  great  interest ;  and  yet,  as  one  of  the 
objects  in  the  beautiful  landscape  which  has  already  been  described 
as  existing  at  this  place,  their  absence  would  be  sensibly  felt  by  the 
man  of  taste. 

Shelburne  Falls. 

These  occur  in  Deerfield  river  where  it  enters  the  narrowest  part 
of  that  deep  ravine  in  the  primary  strata,  between  Shelburne  and  Con- 


102  Topographical  Geology. 

way,  which  has  been  already  described.  As  a  mere  object  of  scenery 
they  are  not  so  striking  as  Turner's  Falls  ;  though  they  exhibit  not 
a  little  of  wildness  and  sublimity ;  and  they  are  especially  worth  a 
visit  from  the  geologist,  as  affording  a  good  exhibition  of  the  effects 
of  a  mountain  torrent  upon  the  hardest  of  rocks. 

Spicket  Falls. 

Spicket  river  is  a  tributary  of  the  Merrimack,  and  a  few  miles 
above  its  mouth  in  Methuen,  it  falls  30  feet.  These  falls  are  in  the 
midst  of  a  flourishing  manufacturing  village,  and  are  a  beautiful  ob- 
ject, well  worthy  the  attention  and  the  pencil  of  the  man  of  taste. 

Falls  in  Fall  River. 

These  are  most  interesting  on  account  of  the  economical  purposes 
to  which  the  waters  are  applied :  keeping  in  motion,  as  they  do,  all 
the  machinery  of  a  large  and  flourishing  manufacturing  village  in 
Troy.  Still,  a  stream  of  any  size  cannot  fall  1 00  feet  in  the  course 
of  a  few  rods,  without  presenting  natural  scenery  of  some  interest. 

Pawtucket  Falls. 

These  occur  in  the  Merrimack,  between  Lowell  and  Dracut ;  and 
their  romantic  appearance  is  heightened  by  the  bridge  erected  at 
their  head. 

The  Gorge,  alias,  the  Glen. 

In  the  south  part  of  Leyden,  a  large  brook  has  worn  a  passage 
from  10  to  20  feet  wide,  and  from  30  to  50  feet  deep,  in  the  strata  of 
argillo-micaceous  slate.  The  layers  of  the  slate  are  nearly  perpen- 
dicular, and  it  is  traversed  by  numerous  cross  seams,  into  which  the 
water  penetrates,  and  in  winter  freezes,  expands,  and  thus  assists  in 
removing  mass  after  mass  of  the  rock  from  its  place.  A  slight  in- 
spection of  the  place  will  show  that  such  was  the  mode  of  its  forma- 
tion ;  although  one  cannot  but  perceive  that  a  great  length  of  time 
was  requisite  for  the  whole  process.  There  is  not  the  slightest  ap- 
pearance of  any  convulsion  at  this  place,  since  the  original  elevation 
of  the  strata.  The  correspondence  between  the  salient  and  reenter- 
ing  angles  on  opposite  sides  of  this  stream,  is  no  greater  than  exists 
in  every  stream ;  and  all  the  appearances  at  the  place  forbid  the  sup- 


Cascade  in  Leverett.  103 

position  often  made  that  these  sides  have  been  separated  from  each 
other.  The  length  of  this  gorge  is  from  30  to  40  rods.  Above  is  a 
deep  glen  ;  and  below,  the  stream  passes  through  a  deep  ravine. 
Two  water  falls  near  the  lower  part  of  the  gorge  add  much  to  the  in- 
terest of  this  spot.  And  although  the  geological  chronometer  here  ex- 
hibited, is  to  the  reflecting  mind,  its  greatest  attractions  ;  yet  the  wild- 
ness  and  ruggedness  of  the  scenery  draw  not  a  few  visitors.  The 
term  "  glen,"  usually  applied  to  this  spot,  is  certainly  a  misnomer. 
For  it  is  a  gorge  connecting  a  glen  with  a  ravine. 

Cascade  in  Leverett. 

I  have  recently  ascertained  the  existence  of  an  interesting  water 
fall  on  the  northeast  side  of  Mount  Toby,  in  Leverett.  The  con- 
glomerate rock  of  that  mountain  has  been  subject  to  powerful  abra- 
sion in  early  times  ;  and  being  divisible  into  masses  of  great  thick- 
ness, by  fissures  nearly  perpendicular  to  the  horizon,  the  sides  of  the 
mountain  frequently  present  perpendicular  walls  of  solid  rock,  and 
sometimes  a  succession  of  precipices  in  the  form  of  vast  steps; 
while  the  huge  fragments  that  have  fallen  down,  lie  scattered  along 
the  base.  Such  is  the  case  at  the  spot  above  referred  to  ;  where  a 
large  brook,  called  "  roaring  brook,"  comes  tumbling  down  by  a  few 
successive  leaps  from  the  height  of  200  or  300  feet.  The  waters 
have  worn  deep  chasms  in  the  rocks,  and  the  scenery  around  is  of 
the  wildest  and  most  romantic  character.  Every  thing  there— the 
lofty  forests — the  overhanging  precipices — and  the  accumulated  rocky 
masses  below — remain  unmodified  by  the  hand  of  man,  just  as  the 
mighty  agencies  of  nature  have  left  them. 

Cascade,  Natural  Bridge,  and  Fissure,  on  Hudson's  Brook. 

The  present  falls  on  this  rivulet,  which  runs  through  the  north 
part  of  Adams,  are  of  far  less  interest  than  the  deep  chasm  which  its 
waters  have  excavated  in  the  white  limestone.  This  limestone  ter- 
minates on  the  south  in  a  high  precipice,  over  which  the  stream  once 
fell.  But  it  has  worn  a  fissure  from  30  to  60  feet  deep,  and  30  rods 
long,  in  this  limestone,  and  left  two  masses  of  rock  connecting  the 
sides  and  forming  natural  bridges  ;  though  the  upper  one  is  much 
broken.  The  lower  one  is  arched,  and  the  stream  at  present  runs  50 
feet  below  it.  The  medium  width  of  the  stream  is  15  feet. 


- 

104  Topographical  Geology. 

Canaan  Falls. 

These  are  just  within  the  boundaries  of  Connecticut,  on  the  Housa- 
tonic.  The  water  takes  two  leaps  within  a  short  distance;  the  upper 
one  of  20  feet,  and  the  lower  one  of  70.  It  then  foams  and  dashes  a 
short  distance  and  takes  a  third  leap  of  ahout  ten  feet.  The  effect  of 
the  whole  scene  is  imposing. 

CAVERNS  AND  FISSURES. 

Southampton  Adit. 

I  have  alluded  in  the  first  part  of  my  report,  to  this  artificial  exca- 
vation, 900  feet  in  length,  at  the  lead  mine  in  Southampton.  It  is  a 
perforation  mostly  in  solid  rock,  large  enough  to  admit  a  boat  with 
several  persons ;  and  in  this  manner  might  be  entered  with  perfect 
safety.  Being  unique  in  this  part  of  the  country,  it  had  become  a 
place  of  considerable  resort  by  gentlemen  and  ladies  during  the  sum- 
mer months.  At  present  the  entrance  is  blocked  up ;  but  it  is  to  be 
hoped  that  ere  long  the  working  of  this  adit  will  be  resumed,  and  an 
opportunity  again  afforded  for  so  fine  a  subterranean  excursion. 

Sunderland  Cave  and  Fissure. 

The  following  section  will,  I  apprehend,  render  intelligible,  not 
merely  the  form  and  situation  of  this  cave  and  fissure,  but  also  the 
mode  of  their  production.  They  occur  in  a  conglomerate  rock  of 
the  new  red  sandstone,  on  the  northwest  side  of  Mount  Toby,  in  the 
north  part  of  Sunderland.  The  conglomerate  strata  are  several  feet 
thick  ;  and  immediately  beneath  this  rock  lies  a  slaty  micaceous  sand- 
stone, which  is  very  subject  to  disintegration ;  as  may  be  seen  a  little 
north  of  the  cave,  where  the  conglomerate  projects  several  feet  be- 
yond the  slate,  whose  ruins  are  scattered  around.  The  spot  is  per- 
haps 300  or  400  feet  above  Connecticut  river :  yet  there  is  the  most 
conclusive  proof  in  all  the  region  around,  that  water  once  acted  pow- 
erfully, and  probably  for  a  long  period,  at  various  elevations  on  the 
sides  of  this  mountain :  and  not  improbably  this  aqueous  agency  as- 
sisted in  undermining  the  conglomerate  rock  by  wearing  away  the 
sandstone. 


Cavern  in  Sunderland. 


105 


At  A  and  B,  the  rock  is  but  slightly  removed  from  its  original 
position ;  but  in  the  space  between  these  points,  the  slate  appears  to 
have  been  worn  away  so  as  to  cause  the  whole  conglomerate  stratum, 
which  is  from  50  to  60  feet  thick,  and  consequently  of  immense 
weight,  to  fall  down,  producing  the  fissure  a,  and  the  cavern  b.  The 
fissure  is  nine  feet  wide  at  the  'top,  and  open  to  d,  40  feet ;  below  which 
it  is  filled  with  rubbish.  The  cavern  is  wider  than  this  in  some  parts, 
though  very  irregular  in  this  respect.  Its  bottom  also  is  rendered 
quite  uneven  by  the  large  masses  of  rock  that  have  tumbled  down. 
In  the  deepest  spot,  (56  feet,)  the  rocks  are  separated  to  the  surface, 
so  as  to  let  in  the  light  from  above.  The  whole  length  of  the  cavern 
is  148  feet.  Its  general  direction  is  nearly  east  and  west.  But  to- 
wards its  eastern  part  it  turns  almost  at  right  angles  to  the  left,  in 
consequence  of  the  rock  A,  having  been  broken  in  a  north  and  south 
direction  from  the  mass  of  the  mountain. 

Some  who  visit  this  spot  are  disposed  to  call  in  the  aid  of  a  convul- 
sion like  an  earthquake  to  explain  the  huge  fractures  there  exhibited. 
But  after  seeing  so  many  other  marks  of  the  powerful  action  of  at- 
mospheric and  aqueous  agents  on  this  mountain,  I  cannot  but  believe 
the  cause  I  have  assigned  to  be  sufficient.  The  place  is  well  worth 
visiting  by  all  who  have  not  examined  other  caverns  and  fissures 
extensively. 

On  the  opposite  side  of  Mount  Toby,  a  little  south  of  the  cascade 
that  has  been  described,  one  or  two  other  caves  occur,  more  irregu- 
lar but  less  extensive  than  this.  They  have  been  produced  by  the 
enormous  masses  of  the  mountain  that  have  been  here  mixed  pell- 
mell  together. 

Caverns  in  Berkshire. 

These  all  occur  in  limestone  ;  and  are  so  similar,  that  it  is  hardly 
necessary  to  describe  them  separately.     Two  exist  in  the  south  part  of 
14 


1 00  Topographical  Geology. 

New  Marlborough,  containing  several  apartments  and  some  stalac- 
tites. In  West  Stockbridge  is  a  small  one.  In  Lanesborough  is 
one,  100  feet  long,  narrow  and  irregular,  produced  probably  by  a 
subterranean  stream.  In  Adams,  a  mile  south  of  the  north  village, 
on  the  Cheshire  road,  is  a  cavern  of  considerable  interest ;  contain- 
ing several  apartments  ;  the  largest  of  which  is  30  feet  long,  20  feet 
wide,  and  20  feet  high.  A  similar  cave  may  be  seen  in  Bennington, 
Vt.  And  although  these  caverns  will  not  compare  in  extent  with 
those  in  our  western  states,  yet  they  will  afford  not  a  little  gratifica- 
tion, to  those  not  familiar  with  subterranean  excursions. 

Purgatories. 

I  know  not  what  fancied  resemblances  have  applied  this  whimsical 
name  to  several  extensive  fissures  in  the  rocks  of  New  England. 
The  most  remarkable  case  of  this  kind  is  in  Sutton,  31-2  miles  south 
east  of  the  congregational  meeting  house.  It  is  a  fissure  in  gneiss, 
nearly  half  a  mile  long,  in  most  parts  partially  filled  by  the  masses 
of  rock  that  have  been  detached  from  the  walls.  The  sides  are  often 
perpendicular,  and  sometimes  70  feet  high ;  being  separated  from 
each  other  about  50  feet. 

This  is  an  immense  chasm :  and  I  confess  myself  at  a  loss  to  ex- 
plain its  origin.  It  is  natural  to  suppose  that  its  sides  have  been  in 
some  manner  separated  from  one  another.  But  I  can  conceive  of  no 
mode  in  which  this  could  have  been  accomplished,  but  by  a  force  ac- 
ting beneath :  and  this  would  so  elevate  the  strata,  that  they  would 
dip  on  both  sides  from  the  fissure.  But  I  could  discover  no  such 
dip.  The  inclination  along  the  fissure  corresponds  with  that  which 
is  common  in  the  region  around ;  viz.  about  25°  N.E.  In  the  vicin- 
ity of  the  fissure,  however,  the  rocks  are  often  exceedingly  broken 
into  fragments  :*  and  this  circumstance  indicates  some  early  subter- 
ranean convulsion.  Still,  I  am  rather  inclined  to  refer  these  frag- 
ments as  well  as  the  fissure,  to  the  long  continued  action  of  the  waves 
of  the  sea,  when  the  spot  was  so  situated  as  to  form  a  shore  of  mod- 
erate elevation.  The  next  case  of  a  purgatory  which  I  shall  des- 
cribe, will  illustrate  the  mode  in  which  the  waves  might  have  pro- 
duced such  effects. 

*  Visitors  to  the  Sutton  Purgatory  should  recollect  that  such  broken  rocks  fur- 
nish a  fine  retreat  for  the  rattlesnake.  I  met  with  one  among-  the  debris  of  that 
place.  But  as  he  kindly  warned  me  that  I  was  trespassing-  on  his  territory,  I 
thought  it  ungenerous  to  attack  him,  and  we  parted  on  good  terms,  mutually  will- 
ing to  be  rid  of  each  others  company. 


Autumnal  Scenery.  107 

In  Newport,  Rhode  Island. 

In  the  southeast  part  of  this  town,  (perhaps  it  is  within  the 
limits  of  Middleton,)  the  coarse  conglomerate  rock  contains  numer- 
ous cross  seams,  which  are  parallel  to  one  another,  and  nearly  per- 
pendicular to  the  horizon.  In  one  spot,  in  a  high  rocky  bluff,  two 
of  these  fissures  occur  not  more  than  6  or  8  feet  asunder ;  and  the 
waves  have  succeeded  in  the  course  of  ages,  in  wearing  away  the 
intervening  rock,  so  as  to  form  a  chasm  about  seven  rods  in  length, 
and  60  or  70  feet  deep ;  the  sides  being  almost  exactly  perpendicular. 
This  chasm  is  called  Purgatory ;  and  the  waves  still  continue  their 
slow  but  certain  work  of  destruction. 

On  the  south  shore  of  Newport,  a  similar  fissure  occurs  in  granite. 
It  is,  however,  much  less  extensive,  not  more  than  20  feet  deep  per- 
haps :  and  the  waves  sometimes  rush  into  it  with  such  violence  that 
they  are  dashed  not  less  than  30  feet  into  the  air.  Even  granite 
yields  under  this  everlasting  concussion.  This  spot  is  called  the 
Spouting  Cave. 

We  have  only  to  suppose  the  Sutton  Purgatory  to  have  been  once 
similarly  situated  in  respect  to  the  ocean,  and  we  have  a  cause  ade- 
quate to  its  production.  And  yet,  what  an  immense  period  must  the 
whole  work  have  demanded  ! 

Autumnal  Scenery. 

Perhaps  no  country  in  the  world  exhibits  in  its  autumnal  scenery 
so  rich  a  variety  of  colors  in  the  foliage  of  trees,  as  our  own.  But 
it  is  particularly  beautiful  in  the  more  mountainous  parts  of  the  land. 
The  trees,  whose  leaves  give  the  liveliest  tints,  are  the  maple,  the 
oak,  the  walnut,  and  the  sumach ;  while  the  pine  and  hemlock  re- 
tain their  deep  green :  and  if  these  species  be  fantastically  mixed  on 
a  mountain's  side,  they  present  a  splendid  drapery,  which,  though 
somewhat  approaching  to  the  gaudy,  is  yet  extremely  interesting. 
The  change  generally  commences  as  early  as  the  middle  of  Septem- 
ber, and  does  not  attain  its  full  perfection  till  after  several  frosts  of 
considerable  severity.  The  change  proceeds  undoubtedly  from  an 
increased  oxygenation  of  the  coloring  matter  of  the  leaves  ;  analo- 
gous changes  being  easily  produced  in  the  chemical  laboratory  by 
the  addition  of  oxygen  to  certain  compounds,*  as  for  example,  the 
Chameleon  Mineral.  This  process  in  the  eyes  of  a  chemist  does  not 

*  Annales  de  Chimie  et  de  Physique,  Vol.  38,  p.  415. 


!08 


Topographical  Geology. 


seem,  as  I  believe  it  does  to  most  men,  a  condition  of  sickness  con- 
nected with  the  decay  and  fall  of  the  leaf.  He  views  it  rather  as  a 
beautiful  illustration  of  the  means  which  nature  possesses  to  produce 
variety.  True,  it  is  one  of  the  more  advanced  steps  of  vegetable  life ; 
but  does  not  seem  to  be  disease.  Or  if  any  are  disposed  to  consider 
it  such,  it  ought  to  be  looked  upon  as  nature  descending  joyfully  in 
her  richest  dress  into  her  wintery  grave,  in  exulting  anticipation  of  a 
speedy  resurrection. 

Although  this  phenomena  forms  an  attractive  object  to  the  geologist 
in  his  wildest  excursions  among  the  mountains,  at  the  most  delightful 
season  in  the  whole  year  for  geological  research,  yet  it  cannot  be  re- 
garded as  having  any  connection  with  geology.  But  not  being  aware 
that  any  attempt  has  been  made  to  preserve  these  autumnal  colors  on 
canvas,  I  have  taken  the  liberty  to  attempt  such  a  landscape,  and 
herewith  transmit  it  to  your  Excellency.  As  it  was  necessary  to 
watch  with  great  care  the  proper  time  for  seeing*  these  colors  when 
in  their  greatest  perfection,  I  have  selected  a  view  of  the  village  in 
which  I  reside  ;  and  if  I  mistake  not  it  presents  a  tolerably  good  spe- 
cimen of  this  kind  of  landscape. 

Sketches  of  Scenery  Accompanying  this  Report. 

It  has  been  in  my  power  to  obtain  sketches  of  some  of  the  most 
striking  scenery  which  has  been  described  in  this  part  of  my  Report ; 
and  I  take  the  liberty  to  forward  the  same  for  your  inspection.  I  am 
indebted  for  them  to  Mrs.  Hitchcock  ;  as  I  am  for  nearly  all  the  draw- 
ings and  maps  accompanying  every  part  of  this  Report.  The  land- 
scapes are  chiefly  confined  to  the  Connecticut  Valley ;  it  not  having 
been  convenient  for  her  to  accompany  me  to  distant  parts  of  the  state. 
They  are  the  following. 

1.  Autumnal  Scenery.     A  view  in  Amherst.     (Plate  II.) 

2.  A  view  in  Hadley.     This  was  taken  from  the  south  end  of  the 
east  street  in  Hadley  ;  standing  on  the  banks  of   Connecticut  river, 
and  looking  southerly  down  the  stream  and  through  the  gorge  be- 
tween Holyoke  and  Tom.     (Plate  III.) 

3.  A  view  from  the  south  through  the  gorge  between  Holyoke  anc 
Tom.     This  was  taken  from  a  high  bank  on   the  east  side  of  the 
river,  about  a  mile  below  the  gorge.     In  looking  through  the  gorge, 
Connecticut  river  is  seen  making  several  extensive  windings  through 
Northampton  meadows,  while  at  a  distance,  a  most  delightful  view  of 
the  village  of  Northampton  and  the  Round  Hill  School  is  obtained. 
(Plate  IV.) 


Sketches  of  Scenery.  109 

4.  View  from  Mount  Holyoke.     This  is  a  westerly  view  in  the  di- 
rection of  Northampton.     It  was  taken  about  halfway  from  the  base 
to  the  summit  of  the  mountain.      But  it  does  not  differ  essentially 
from  the  view  at  the  summit.      It  is  perhaps  the  most  delightful 
prospect  in  New  England  ;  yet  its  character  is  such  that  it  must  ap- 
pear to  great  disadvantage  upon  a  drawing.     The  central  parts  of  this 
landscape  are  considerably  contracted,  in  order  to  bring  into  view 
the  whole  of  the  remarkable  curve  in  the  Connecticut  on  the  right. 
(Plate  V.) 

5.  View  of  South  Hadley  Falls.     The  falls  are  in  themselves  an 
object  of  little  interest  in  this  landscape.     But  the  beautiful  village  at 
their  foot,  the  wooded  amphitheatre  in  its  rear,  and  Mount  Tom,  tow- 
ering in  the  back  ground,  with  other  objects  of  interest,  co'nspire  to 
render  this  a  very  striking  view.     (Plate  VI.)    , 

6.  View  of  Sugar  Loaf  Mountain.     This  sketch  was  taken  from 
the  plain  about  a  mile  south  of  the  base  of  this  conical  elevation.    On 
the  right,  we  look  up  the  valley  through  which  the  Connecticut  runs ; 
and  on  the  left,  appears  what  is  called  North  Sugar  Loaf;    it  being 
the  southern  precipitous  termination  of  the  sandstone  ridge  that  runs 
through  Deerfield,  &c.     Both  elevations,  in  order  to  exhibit  a  natu- 
ral appearance,  should  be  colored  of  a  reddish  hue  towards  their 
summit.     (Plate  VII.) 

7.  View  at  the  Confluence  of  Deerfield  and   Connecticut  Rivers. 
This  was  taken  from  an  eminence  about  one  mile  east  of  the  bridge 
across  Deerfield  river  between  Deerfield  and  Greenfield.    That  bridge, 
seen  through  a  gorge  in  a  greenstone  ridge,  appears  on  the  left  in 
the  drawing ;  beyond  which,  Deerfield  meadows  open  ;    and  in  the 
distance,  rise  the  primitive  ridges  of  Shelburne,  &c.     Deerfield  river 
flows  towards  the  right  hand  side  of  the  sketch,  where  it  mingles 
with  the  Connecticut  that  comes  in  from  the  north.     The  bridge  seen 
on  the  right  in  the  drawing,  is  on  the  Connecticut,  a  little  above  its 
junction  with  the  Deerfield.     After  uniting,  these  streams  pass  south- 
easterly, as  may  be  partially  seen  on  the  right  hand  side  of  the  sketch. 
The  bridge  across  the  Connecticut,  connects  Montague  on  the  east 
shore  with  Greenfield  on  the  west.     Above  the  bridge,  may  be  seen 
an  island ;  and  still  farther  north,  the  river  washes  the  eastern  base 
of  a  greenstone  ridge,  which,  in  the  central  parts  of  the  drawing,  is 
covered  with  woods.     These  central  parts  are  more  contracted  than 
a  just  proportion  would  allow,  in  order  to  bring  both  rivers  upon  the 
same  sketch.     (Plate  VIII.) 


110  Topographical  Geology. 

8.  View  of  Turner's  Falls.     This  view  was  taken  from  the  place 
on  the  north  or  Gill  shore,  already  described  as  the  best  point  for 
viewing  the  cataract.     Near  the  small  buildings  on  the  right,  is  the 
spot  where  occurred  the  bloody  battle  between  Capt.  Turner  and  the 
Indians  of  which  I  have  given  an  account.     On  the  eminence  a  little 
beyond,  was  an  Indian  fort.     (Plate  IX.) 

9.  Sketch  of  the  Gorge  or  "  Glen  "  in  Ley  den.     In  this  view  the 
observer  looks  northerly  through  one  of  the  wildest  portions  of  the 
ragged  chasm  ;  having  before  him  at  least  two  interesting  cascades, 
(Plate  X.) 

Here  I  close  the  second  part  of  my  report.  It  has  increased  under 
my  pen  beyond  my  expectations.  But  I  could  hardly  have  said  less 
consistently  with  giving  any  thing  like  a  correct  view  of  our  scenery. 
If  what  I  have  said  should  lead  others  to  visit  and  enjoy,  as  I  have 
done,  the  spots  that  have  been  described,  I  am  sure  I  shall  be  the 
means  of  imparting  much  happiness  and  shall  feel  a  confidence  that 
I  have  not  written  in  vain. 

Respectfully  Submitted, 

EDWARD  HITCHCOCK. 

Amheret  College,  June  1,  1833. 


PART  III. 
SCIENTIFIC    GEOLOGY 


OF 


MASSACHUSETTS. 

To  His  EXCELLENCY  LEVI  LINCOLN  ESQ. 

GOVERNOR  OF  MASSACHUSETTS. 

ACCORDING  to  the  plan  suggested  in  the  first  part  of  my  Report,  I 
now  proceed  to  a  consideration  of  the  Scientific  Geology  of  Massa- 
chusetts. 

Having  already  given  a  view,  professedly  popular,  of  our  rocks 
and  minerals  which  are  interesting  in  a  pecuniary  respect,  I  shall 
make  no  apology  for  entering  into  full  details  in  this  third  part  of  my 
Report,  of  all  the  geological  phenomena  in  the  state,  that  have  fallen 
under  my  notice,  and  seem  of  any  importance  to  the  science.  I  shall 
endeavour,  however,  to  avoid  all  unnecessary  prolixity. 

No  science  is  making  such  rapid  progress  as  geology.  Even 
since  I  received  your  Excellency's  Commission,  three  years  ago,  sev- 
eral important  principles  have  been  developed  by  able  geologists, 
which  I  shall  apply  to  the  rocks  of  this  region,  so  far  as  I  am  able. 
In  Europe  geological  researches  have  been  pushed  much  farther  than 
in  other  quarters  of  the  globe :  And  it  is  an  interesting  inquiry,  how 
far  the  phenomena  of  rocks  in  other  regions  correspond  with  those  in 
Europe.  I  hope  to  show  that  the  rocks  of  Massachusetts  exhibit 
some  analogies  of  this  kind,  that  prove  an  identity  of  the  causes  that 
produced  them. 

The  technical  terms  which  I  shall  be  under  the  necessity  of  em- 
ploying, will  be  used,  so  far  as  I  understand  them,  in  the  sense  adop- 
ted by  the  most  recent  and  approved  authors.  Geology,  however, 
does  not  abound  in  terms  of  this  kind ;  nor  shall  I  employ  more  than 
necessity  requires. 

I  ought  perhaps  to  remark  that  the  term  rock,  will  be  sometimes 


112  Scientific  Geology. 

employed,  as  it  is  by  most  geological  writers,  to  include  the  loose  ma- 
terials and  soils  embraced  in  the  alluvial,  diluvial,  and  tertiary  forma- 
tions, as  well  as  those  solid  masses,  to  which  the  term  is  limited  in  its 
popular  sense. 

It  is  well  known  that  there  is  not  a  little  diversity  among  the  ablest 
writers  in  respect  to  the  names  of  rocks.  Under  such  circumstances 
an  infallible  nomenclature*  is  out  of  the  question.  But  if,  as  I  intend 
to  do,  I  describe  definitely  what  is  included  under  each  name  attached 
to  the  accompanying  geological  map,  it  seems  to  me  that  the  difficulty 
will  be  in- a  great  measure  obviated:  especially  as  I  shall  present 
specimens  to  the  Government,  of  every  variety  of  rock  that  is  descri- 
bed. And  should  they  take  measures  for  preserving  this  collection, 
future  geologists,  may  know  precisely  what  is  comprehended  under 
each  rock  mentioned  in  this  report. 

Geologists  are  not  agreed  whether  it  is  best  to  describe  rocks  in  a 
descending  or  an  ascending  order  ;  that  is,  whether  they  shall  com- 
mence at  the  surface  with  the  most  recent  rocks,  or  with  the  lowest 
hitherto  discovered.  Each  plan  has  some  advantages  and  some  dis- 
advantages peculiar  to  itself.  Without  stopping  to  assign  the  partic- 
ular reasons,  I  shall  choose  a  descending  order ;  that  is,  I  shall 
commence  with  the  uppermost  stratum,  viz.  Alluvium:  and  in  adop- 
ting-this  course,  I  follow  the  example  of  several  of  the  ablest  geolog- 
ical writers  of  the  day,  such  as  Brongniart  and  De  la  Beche. 

As  to  the  Classification  of  Rocks,  there  is  also  very  much  di- 
versity among  the  ablest  writers  ;  although  there  has  been  great  im- 
provement in  this  respect  within  the  last  15  or  20  years.  Yet  excep- 
ting a  few  general  principles,  the  different  systems  for  the  arrange- 
ment of  rocks  must  be  regarded  as  provisional  merely,  awaiting  the 
revision  of  some  future  Linnasus  in  geology.  Among  the  principles 
which  I  regard  as  established  in  the  science,  one  is  the  division  of 
rocks  into  stratified  and  unstratified.  This  division,  therefore,  I  shall 
adopt.  But  instead  of  stopping  here  to  explain  the  subdivisions  of 
these  classes,  I  shall  introduce  a  Tabular  View  of  the  Rocks  in  Mas- 
sachusetts, arranged  as  nearly  as  possible  in  the  order  of  their  super- 
position ;  and  opposite  their  names,  I  shall  put  down  the  most  impor- 
tant and  ingenious  systems  of  arrangmentnowinuseamong'geologists; 
so  that  a  comparative  view  of  them  may  at  once  be  obtained.  (See  the 
accompanying  Atlas.)  The  first  column  contains  the  names  of  the 
rocks  under  which  I  describe  them  ;  the  second  column,  the  varieties  of 
each  rock  observed  in  Massachusetts :  the  third  column,  a  catalogue 


Explanatory  Remarks.  113 

of  the  simple  minerals  found  in  each  rock ;  and  the  remaining  col- 
umns, the  various  systems  above  referred  to.  The  simple  minerals 
are  put  down  with  little  order ;  without  any  attempt  at  class- 
ification ;  it  being  thought  sufficient  to  refer  them  to  the  rocks  in 
which  they  are  found. 

In  describing  the  various  rocks  in  the  State,  I  shall,  as  far  as  pos- 
sible, follow  a  uniform  order  ;  giving  first  the  mineralogical  charac- 
ters ;  next  the  topography  of  the  formation ;  next  the  dip,  direction, 
&c.  of  the  strata ;  next  an  account  of  the  organic  remains ;  next  of 
the  mineral  contents ;  and  finally,  add  some  theoretical  considerations. 
In  many  instances,  however,  this  order  cannot  be  observed ;  and  in 
others,  some  of  the  above  particulars  will  need  no  notice. 

I  was  in  doubt  for  a  time  whether  it  would  be  advisable  to  add  any 
remarks  upon  the  theory  of  the  rock  formations,  or  the  explanation  of 
particular  phenomena.  But  such  an  addition  seemed  wanting  to  com- 
plete my  account  of  the  rocks  ;  and  I  came  to  the  conclusion  to  attempt 
an  explanation  of  all  the  most  important  phenomena,  which  I  describe. 
There  will  of  course  be  a  diversity  of  opinion  concerning  many  of 
the  theories,  and  especially  concerning  the  hypotheses,  which  I  shall 
advance.  I  have  given  those  which  are  most  satisfactory  to  my  own 
mind,  after  consulting  several  of  the  most  recent,  and  most  able  wri- 
ters upon  geological  philosophy.  While  I  could  not  but  express  plain- 
ly, my  own  decided  convictions,  I  hope  I  have  not  done  it  dogmatic- 
ally. 

A  few  words  more  maybe  necessary  in  explanation  of  the  geological 
map.  I  have  striven  to  reduce  it  to  such  simplicity,  that  its  plan  and 
arrangement  will  be  -obvious  by  mere  inspection.  Some  things  about 
it,  however,  may,  need  elucidation.  To  avoid  confusion  and  mistake, 
I  have  employed  but  six  colors  :  which,  with  the  exception  perhaps  of 
the  blue,  are  so  strongly  marked,  that  they  can  readily  be  distinguish- 
ed by  candle  light.  These  colors  mark  off  the  rocks  of  the  state  into 
what  may  be  regarded  as  distinct  groups  :  the  members  of  each  group 
with  the  exception  of  the  fourth,  being  so  nearly  related,  that  they 
might  even  be  regarded,  in  most  cases,  as  belonging  to  the  same  for- 
mation ;  or  if  this  term  be  too  limited  in  its  meaning,  we  might  resort 
to  the  terrain  of  the  French  geologists  ;  a  word  to  which  we  have 
no  one  in  English  exactly  corresponding.  The  first  group,  however, 
embracing  all  the  unstratified  rocks,  would  include  more  than  one 
terrain,  if  that  term  can  embrace  only  the  rocks  produced  during  one 
15 


114  Scientific  Geology. 

geological  epoch,  or  period.*  The  second  group  embraces  only 
gneiss,  and  those  rocks  which  are  so  intimately  associated  with  it  that 
they  constitute  but  a  single  formation.  The  third  group  comprehends 
mica  slate  and  those  rocks  that  are  so  closely  connected  with  it,  as  to 
show  great  similarity  in  the  causes  that  produced  them ;  although  per- 
haps not  all  of  them,  were  formed  during  the  same  epoch.  The  fourth 
group  is  miscellaneous,  including  rocks  that  have  no  necessary  con- 
nection or  resemblance.  The  fifth  group  includes  all  the  consolida- 
ted rocks  resulting  from  sediment ;  although  obviously  belonging  to 
at  least  three  distinct  formations.  The  sixth,  or  tertiary  group,  takes 
in  all  the  unconsolidated  beds  above  the  chalk,  or  its  equivalent  in 
this  country,  the  ferruginous  sand  formation. 

The  tablets  attached  to  the  map  will  show  the  particular  marks  by 
which  the  members  of  the  different  groups  are  distinguished  from  one 
another :  And  to  afford  still  farther  means  for  accomplishing  the  same 
object,  and  preventing  mistakes,  I  have  placed  a  figure  on  each  tablet, 
which  corresponds  with  the  same  figure  placed  upon  the  map  in  eve- 
ry place  occupied  by  that  particular  rock ;  so  that  even  if  in  any  case 
the  painter  has  applied  a  wrong  color,  these  figures  will  afford  the 
means  of  detecting-  the  mistake. 


STRATIFIED  ROCKS. 

The  uppermost  portion  of  this  division  of  the  crust  of  the  globe 
consists  for  the  most  part  of  unconsolidated  layers  of  sand,  clay  and 
gravel.  The  lower  portion  embraces  all  those  solid  rocks  that  are 
divided  by  parallel  and  continuous  seams.  The  stratified  rocks  oc- 
cupy in  every  country  by  far  the  largest  proportion  of  the  surface. 

ALLUVIUM. 

It  is  well  known  that  a  number  of  causes  are  daily  operating  to 
modify  the  surface  of  the  globe.  In  some  instances  new  and  solid 
rocks  are  gradually  forming ;  in  others,  and  those  far  the  most  nu- 
merous cases,  the  rock  strata  are  wearing  away,  and  the  fragments, 
carried  by  water  to  the  lowest  spots,  are  deposited  in  the  form  of  sand, 
grave],  clay,  and  loam.  But  all  such  deposits,  whether  consolidated 
or  not,  are  denominated  alluvium ;  excepting  only  the  products  of 
volcanoes. 

*  See  Brongniart's  "Tableau  dea  Terrain's"  &c.  p,  4  Introduction. 


Alluvium  of  Rivers.  115 

Alluvium  of  Rivers. 

The  deposits  produced  by  the  overflowing  of  rivers,  are  the  most 
common  and  familiar  example  o&his  stratum.  They  will,  of  course, 
consist  of  that  heterogenous  mixture  which  a  swollen  and  agitated 
stream  sweeps  along.  When  first  the  river  issues  from  the  mountains 
and  begins  to  spread  over  the  plains,  coarse  gravel  and  sand,  and  not 
unfrequently  large  bowlders,  will  be  deposited.  The  finer  materials, 
and  most  of  the  vegetable  and  animal  substances,  being  lighter,  will 
float  on  farther  before  subsiding.  So  that  the  portion  of  an  alluvial 
tract  which  is  nearest  the  mouth  of  the  stream,  will  generally  be  most 
valuable  in  an  agricultural  point  of  view,  being  made  up  of  the  finest 
and  richest  loam. 

It  is  quite  obvious  that  the  power  of  rivers  in  depositing  alluvium 
must  be  lessened  by  every  successive  innundation  ;  since  the  more  el- 
evated the  banks,  the  less  frequently  will  the  stream  rise  above  them ; 
and  the  less  the  amount  of  water  thrown  over  the  meadows.  In  some 
places,  along  the  Connecticut  and  its  tributaries,  the  banks  have  al- 
ready attained  such  an  elevation,  that  it  is  only  at  long  intervals  that 
the  floods  are  high  enough  to  surmount  them :  and  yet  they  are  -ob- 
viously the  result  of  alluvial  deposition. 

The  Connecticut  and  its  tributaries,  the  Deerfield  and  the  Westfield, 
furnish  the  only  examples  of  river  alluvium  of  much,  extent  and  im- 
portance in  the  State.  Some  fine  meadows  of  this  description,  how- 
ever, occur  on  the  Housatonic,  in  Stockbridge,  Great  Barrington  and 
Sheffield.  Indeed,  every  river  in  the  State,  and  every  brook,  present 
limited  tracts  of  this  stratum.  But  only  those  along  the  Connecticut 
and  Housatonic  were  thought  deserving  of  a  place  on  the  Map.  In 
some  instances  the  deposition  of  the  Connecticut,  the  Deerfield,  and 
the  Westfield,  is  1 5  or  20  feet  thick.  Logs,  leaves,  walnuts,  butter- 
nuts &c.  are  frequently  imbedded  at  that  depth,  and  but  slightly  chan- 
ged. Relics  of  this  kind,  though  of  but  little  importance  to  the  geol- 
ogists of  the  present  age,  may  be  viewed  with  great  interest  in  future 
times,  when  this  alluvium  shall  have  become  consolidated  and  other 
formations  shall  be  imposed  upon  it. 

The  alluvial  basin  of  Deerfield  river,  in  Deerfield,  is  perhaps  the 
most  remarkable  example  of  this  formation  in  the  State.  It  is  shut  in 
on  all  sides  by  high  land,  and  the  river  is  obliged  to  force  its  way  to 
the  Connecticut  through  a  narrow  gorge  in  a  high  ridge  of  greenstone ; 
and  its  direction  where  it  empties,  is  almost  opposite  to  the  course  of 


116  Scientific  Geology. 

the  Connecticut.  The  Deerfield,  being  a  mountain  torrent,  and  of  less 
extent,  is  raised  several  hours  earlier  than  the  Connecticut  after  a  rain. 
It  even  begins  to  subside  before  the  latter  has  risen  much.  But  as 
the  Connecticut  swells,  it  throws  bz&k  the  waters  of  the  Deerfield  over 
the  broad  basin  among  the  mountains,  and  sometimes  retains  it  there 
for  three  or  four  days,  or  even  a  week,  until  the  very  finest  sediment 
is  deposited.  The  consequence  is,  a  rapid  growth  of  alluvium,  and 
great  fertility  of  soil. 

It  is  interesting  to  observe  in  Deerfield  meadows  the  numerous 
changes  in  the  bed  of  the  river,  that  have  taken  place  at  no  very  re- 
mote period;  though  none  of  much  importance  since  the  settlement  of 
the  place  by  the  whites.  A  map  of  these  changes  might  be  instruc- 
tive as  illustrating  the  operation  of  existing  geological  causes.  But  I 
did  not  judge  it  expedient  to  construct  one,  since  so  many  other  cases 
of  more  importance  will  require  drawings.  I  remark,  however,  that 
as  the  banks  of  this  river  are  so  easily  worn  away,  constant  changes 
are  taking  place  with  much  rapidity  by  the  action  of  the  stream, 
that  it  must  be  a  fine  place  for  studying  fluviatiie  dynamics. 

Patches  of  river  alluvium  are  represented  on  the  map  in  Stock- 
bridge,  Sheffield,  Great  Barrington,  Longmeadow,  Springfield,  West 
Springfield,  Northampton,  Hadley,  Hatfield,  Whately,  Deerfield  and 
Northfield. 

Coast  Alluvium. 

This  sort  of  deposition  is  of  two  kinds.  The  first  is  produced  by 
tides  and  currents  in  the  ocean,  which  frequently  transport  large 
quantities  of  soil  from  one  place  to  another,  and  cause  it  to  accumulate 
in  those  situations  where  their  force  abates,  or  is  destroyed.  In  the 
southeastern  part  of  the  State,  such  cases  are  numerous :  and  I  have 
regarded  the  sandy  accumulations  of  this  kind  in  Provincetown ;  op- 
posite Chatham  and  Harwich;  on  the  north  shore  of  Barnstable ;  and 
in  several  places  along  the  northwest  coast  of  Nantucket,  as  of  suffi- 
cient extent  to  deserve  a  notice  upon  the  map.  Deposits  of  this  kind 
on  a  smaller  scale  are  very  common  in  the  southeast  part  of  the  State. 

Salt  Marsh  Alluvium. 

Salt  marsh  alluvium  results  from  the  joint  action  of  two,  and  some- 
times three  causes  :  1.  the  decay  of  salt  marsh  plants  ;  2.  the  silt 
brought  over  the  marsh  by  the  tides :  and  3.  from  the  alluvial  soil 
brought  down  by  steams,  when  these  happen  to  empty  through  those 


Submarine  Forests.  117 

marshes.  The  Marshes  in  the  vicinity  of  Boston  consist  chiefly  of  a 
clayey  loam,  with  vegetables  more  or  less  decayed,  forming  in  fact  an 
imperfect  deposit  of  peat.  The  depth  of  the  peculiar  pulpy  soil  of 
these  marshes  is  rarely  more  than  6  or  8  feet.  In  the  southeastern 
part  of  the  State,  the  salt  marshes  are  much  more  sandy.  In  fact, 
their  character  depends  very  much  upon  the  nature  of  the  soil  on  the 
coast,  since  this  is  carried  by  the  sea  into  the  marshes  and  deposited. 
Though  salt  marshes  are  numerous  along  the  coast,  this  kind  of  allu- 
vium is  marked  on  the  map  in  only  two  places,  viz,  in  Charlestown 
and  Chelsea. 

Submarine  Forests. 

Though  these  have  not  hitherto  been  noticed  in  this  country,  I  am 
inclined  to  believe  that  they  are  not  uncommon  in  the  southeast  part 
of  the  state,  and  probably  all  along  the  Atlantic  coast.  They  consist 
of  the  remains  of  ancient  forests,  now  submerged  a  few  feet  below 
the  sea,  though  sometimes  laid  bare  at  low  water.  The  vegetables 
found  in  them  are  generally  such  as  grow  in  low  land ;  and,  indeed, 
peat  not  unfrequently  occurs.  This  is  the  case  in  the  harbor  of 
Nantucket,  as  I  am  informed  by  Lt.  Jonathan  Prescott,  of  the  U. 
States  army.  This  gentleman,  while  superintending  the  dredging 
of  that  harbor,  found  portions  of  cedar,  maple,  oak,  and  beach  trees, 
some  of  them  in  an  erect  position  and  accompanied  by  peat  of  an 
imperfect  character.  All  the  wood,  except  the  cedar,  (Cupressus 
thuyoides,)  which  was  nearly  as  sound  as  ever,  wTas  very  much  de- 
cayed. These  relics  were  buried  by  four  feet  of  sand,  and  were 
about  eight  feet  below  low  water  mark. 

Another  submarine  forest  exists  at  Holme's  Hole,  on  Martha's  Vine- 
yard. It  is  on  the  west  side  of  the  harbor,  and  was  described  by  the 
pilot  as  having  the  appearance  of  a  marsh  at  low  water.  Stumps 
have  been  found  there  in  considerable  quantity ;  of  the  cedar  at  least. 

Near  the  southwest  extremity  of  the  Vineyard,  on  the  north  shore, 
I  was  informed  that  another  forest  of  a  similar  description  may  be 
seen.  On  the  north  side  of  Cape  Cod,  also,  opposite  Yarmouth,  ce- 
dar stumps  may  be  found  (as  I  was  informed  by  the  Captain  of  the 
Falmouth  packet,)  extending  more  than  three  miles  into  Barnstable 
Bay.  And  Mr.  Henry  Wilder,  of  Lancaster,  who  first  directed  my 
attention  to  this  subject,  says  that  the  same  thing  occurs  in  the  bay  of 
Provincetown,  on  the  side  opposite  to  the  village.  Farther  enquiries 
will  no  doubt  bring  to  light  many  more  instances  of  a  similar  char- 


118  Scientific  Geology. 

acter  :  for  my  opportunities  of  observation  on  this  subject  have  been 
but  few. 

Geologists  are  not  a  little  perplexed,  satisfactorily  to  account  for  sub- 
marine forests.  Some  of  them,  it  has  been  thought,  might  have  re- 
sulted from  the  breaking  of  the  barrier  of  a  peat  swamp  by  the  ocean  j 
whereby  it  was  drained  and  the  soil  rendered  more  compact  so  as  to 
subside  below  the  level  of  the  ocean.  But  in  general  it  has  been  sup- 
posed that  these  forests  have  subsided  in  consequence  of  earthquakes, 
or  other  internal  movements  of  the  earth.  But  if  it  should  be  found, 
as  there  seems  reason  for  believing,  that  they  exist  in  every  quarter 
of  the  globe,  and  at  nearly  the  same  depth  beneath  the  ocean,  a 
cause  (like  those  just  named)  which  is  local  and  irregular  in  its  ope- 
ration, will  hardly  explain  their  occurrence. 

Peat. 

Various  causes  are  in  operation  to  produce  an  accumulation  of 
mud  upon  the  bottoms  of  ponds,  lakes,  estuaries,  &c.  In  this  mud 
various  aquatic  plants  will  take  root,  and  by  their  decay  will  swell 
the  deposit.  At  length  the  pulpy  mass  nearly  reaches  the  surface, 
when  sphagneous  and  other  mosses  take  root  in  it,  along  with  numer- 
ous other  plants,  and  by  their  gradual  decomposition  the  pond  or  the 
lake  becomes  converted,  in  the  course  of  ages,  into  a  swamp  or  marsh. 
On  digging  into  it,  the  bottom  will  be  found  to  consist,  near  the  sur- 
face, of  interlaced  vegetable  fibres  and  roots,  with  only  a  small  por- 
tion of  earth :  farther  down  the  vegetable  matter  will  be  found  more 
decayed  and  compact,  until  at  length,  in  many  instances,  perfect 
compact  peat,  with  occasional  layers  of  mud,  will  be  discovered. 

This  is  the  simple  and  summary  account  of  the  origin  of  the  differ- 
ent varieties  of  peat.  And  since  the  process  is  daily  progressing,  it 
is  properly  an  alluvial  formation :  though  probably  a  part  of  the  peat 
in  this  state  was  produced  previous  to  some  of  the  latest  general  and 
important  changes  which  the  earth  has  undergone.  According  to 
this  statement,  almost  any  vegetable  matters,  that  have  remained  for 
some  time  beneath  the  surface  of  the  soil,  may  be  called  peat :  and  it 
may  even  be  produced  beneath  the  sea  by  marine  plants,  such  as  the 
Zostera  marina.  It  is  only  within  certain  limits  of  moisture  and  tem- 
perature, however,  that  proper  peat  can  be  produced  :  and  hence  in 
the  torrid  zone,  the  decomposition  is  so  rapid  and  perfect,  that  peat  is 
rarely  found.  Hence,  too,  in  northern  latitudes,  the  most  elevated 
swamps  are  the  most  favorable  spots  for  its  production :  that  is,  for 


Peat.  119 

abstracting  the  oxygen  and  hydrogen  of  the  vegetable  and  leaving 
the  carbon  to  predominate. 

Numerous  as  are  the  deposits  of  peat  in  Massachusetts,  very  little 
need  be  said  concerning  it.  The  localities  where  it  has  been  found 
most  abundant,  are  noticed  on  the  map ;  though  doubtless  many  others 
would  be  found  equally  prolific,  if  sought  after.  All  the  varieties  no- 
ticed by  authors — the  marsh — the  lake — the  forest — the  maritime  and 
the  transported  peat — are  found  here.  Indeed,  according  to  the  defi- 
nition that  has  been  given  of  this  substance,  it  is  perfectly  obvious 
that  not  a  town  in  the  state  can  be  named  where  more  or  less  of  it 
does  not  exist.  The  eastern  section,  however,  is  certainly  best  stored 
with  those  varieties  that  may  be  employed  for  fuel.  And  it  is  an 
unexpected  fact,  that  the  southeastern  parts  of  the  State,  which  abound 
with  sand,  contain  also  a  large  amount  of  peat.  According  to  a  sur- 
vey by  Lt.  Prescott,  the  island  of  Nantucket  and  the  small  adjacent 
islands  of  Thuckanuck,  Muskegut,  and  Gravel,  contain  30,590  acres ; 
of  which,  1050  are  fresh  ponds,  and  650  are  peat  swamps:  the  beds 
being  from  1  to  14  feet  thick,  and  generally  of  good  quality.  This 
must  afford  an  inexhaustible  supply  of  fuel  for  the  inhabitants  ;  and 
yet  I  was  surprised  to  learn,  that  although  the  price  of  fuel  is  very 
high  there,  peat  is  not  much  employed.  This  perhaps  results  from 
the  habit  of  bringing  almost  every  article  used  on  the  island  from 
abroad ;  or  more  probably  from  the  general  thrift  and  comfortable 
circumstances  of  the  inhabitants,  which  enable  them  to  employ  the 
kind  of  fuel  that  is  most  pleasant ;  and  who  is  there  that  would  not 
prefer  wood  to  peat  ? 

The  process  by  which  peat  is  produced,  must  be  every  year  less 
prolific  in  its  results;  especially  in  this  country.  For  many  swamps 
are  already  so  much  filled  as  to  raise  the  plants  on  their  surface  too 
high  to  receive  the  requisite  moisture.  And  besides,  the  trees  and 
shrubs  are  cleared  away  from  many,  and  their  surfaces  converted 
into  fields  for  producing  grass.  Some  very  fine  mowing  lots  of  this 

•  description  may  be  seen  a  little  west  of  the  village  in  Nantucket : 
and  over  the  whole  surface  of  that  island,  scarcely  a  tree  or  shrub  is 
now  to  be  seen,  so  that  here  the  formation  of  peat  has  probably  in  a 

^good  measure  ceased.  The  peat  swamps  there  (as  they  now  are  in 
many  parts  of  the  southeast  extremity  of  the  State)  were  probably 
once  covered  with  the  white  cedar. 

According  to  the  Messrs.  Danas,  trunks  of  trees,  generally  of  some 


120  Scientific  Geology. 

species  of  pine,  occur  in  peat,  several  feet  below  the  surface,  in  the 
marshes  of  Charles  river. 

Marl 

In  limestone  regions,  the  waters  generally  contain  more  or  less  of 
the  carbonate  of  lime  in  solution  j  and  this,  gradually  depositing 
along  with  the  fine  clay  or  mud  held  in  suspension,  produces  one  of 
the  varieties  of  marl.  In  a  few  places  in  Berkshire  County,  such 
marl  is  now  in  the  course  of  formation  at  the  bottoms  of  ponds.  In 
this  marl  (No.  12  of  specimens)*  occur  one  or  two  species  of  Plan- 
orbis,  one  of  Physa  and  a  Cyclas  ;  corresponding  with  existing  spe- 
cies in  the  same  region. 

Alluvium  of  Disintegration. 

Very  few  rocks  have  the  power  of  completely  resisting  the 
united  influence  of  air,  water,  heat  and  cold.  And  some  kinds  are 
powerfully  and  deeply  acted  upon  by  these  agents.  Perhaps  the  new 
red  sandstone  is  more  affected  in  this  manner  than  any  other  rock  in 
Massachusetts :  and  not  unfrequently  its  surface  for  several  feet  in 
depth,  is  converted  into  mere  sand  and  gravel.  This  becomes  gradu- 
ally mixed  with  the  soil,  and  gives  a  decidedly  red  hue  to  extensive 
tracts.  Next  to  this  sandstone — and  I  am  not  sure  but  even  more 
subject  to  decay — is  our  gneiss  ;  especially  that  in  Worcester  county. 
Hence  in  that  part  of  the  State — hilly  as  it  is — we  sometimes  scarcely 
see  a  rock  in  place,  in  crossing  a  whole  township.  In  an  excavation 
which  I  lately  noticed  in  Spencer,  I  had  an  opportunity  of  observ- 
ing that  a  disintegration  had  taken  place  in  the  gneiss,  from  6  to  1 0 
feet  in  depth.  I  could  distinguish  the  materials  resulting  from  disin- 
tegration, from  the  diluvium  lying  above  them,  by  observing  that  in 
the  former  the  masses  of  gneiss,  remaining  undecayed,  had  a  position 
parallel  to  that  of  the  layers  of  the  solid  gneiss  beneath,  being  consid- 
erably inclined ;  whereas  the  fragments  in  the  diluvium  exhibited  no 
such  parrallelism.  I  have  never  seen  a  disintegration  so  deep  as  this  « 
in  the  new  red  sandstone.  Some  varieties  of  trap  rock,  particularly 
one  on  Connecticut  river,  whose  base  is  wacke-like,  and  some  of 
•the  sienites  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  State  that  abound  in  iron,  disin- 

*  In  all  cases  where  numbers  are  included  in  parenthesis  in  the  subsequent  part 
of  this  report,  they  refer  to  the  specimens  of  rocks  and  minerals  which  I  have  de- 
posited in  the  hands  of  Government. 


Singular  Inscription.  121 

tegrate,  and  even  decompose,  rapidly.  Mica  slate  and  talcose  slate  are 
similarly  affected,  though  to  a  less  extent,  as  is  also  argillaceous  slate, 
and  some  varieties  of  slaty  gray  wacke. 

Quartz  rock,  for  the  most  part,  is  one  of  the  most  indestructible  of 
all  our  rocks.  Those  rounded  and  smooth  bowlders  of  granular 
quartz  especially,  that  are  so  common  in  the  western  part  of  the  State 
among  the  diluvium,  appear  in  general  to  have  bid  defiance  to  all 
decomposing  agencies  in  past  ages,  and  to  be  destined  to  endure  un- 
changed for  ages  to  come.  Yet  I  had  recently  pointed  out  to  me  a 
rather  curious,  and  somewhat  instructive  example  of  these  bowlders, 
lying  in  the  extensive  fruit-tree  nursery  of  Mr.  Tracy,  in  Norwich. 
It  was  several  feet  in  diameter,  and  though  not  as  smooth  as  some 
bowlders  of  this  kind,  yet  I  should  not  have  suspected  that  it  had 
suffered  the  least  waste,  were  it  not  for  an  inscription  that  appears 
npon  it.  The  name  of  John  Gilpin  is  marked  on  its  upper  surface, 
in  a  large  fair  hand,  a  few  of  the  letters  only  being  indistinct.  These 
letters  are  not  cut  in  the  stone,  nor  do  they  consist  of  any  foreign 
substance,  like  ink,  or  paint,  spread  over  it.  But  they  are  rendered 
visible  simply  by  the  lighter  color  of  the  surface,  where  they  were 
originally  written;  and  by  passing  the  finger  over  them,  it  is  obvious 
that  they  project  slightly.  Hence  I  infer  that  these  letters  were  orig- 
inally written  with  some  kind  of  paint,  which  prevented  the  rock 
beneath  it  from  decaying ;  while  the  decomposing  process  went  on 
gradually  on  the  other  parts  of  the  stone.  Now  as  these  letters 
must  have  been  written  since  the  settlement  of  that  part  of  the  coun- 
try, we  cannot  suppose  that  more  than  150  years  at  the  longest  have 
since  elapsed :  and  probably  the  period  is  much  less.  We  have  here, 
then,  a  sort  of  measure  for  determining  the  rate  at  which  hard  quartz 
rock  will  decay  by  atmospherical  agencies. 

Alluvium  of  Degradation. 

Three  causes  are  constantly  operating  to  degrade  the  mountains 
and  hills  and  to  fill  up  the  valleys ;  viz.  rains,  frost,  and  gravity.  That 
they  have  not  already  reduced  the  earth's  surface  to  a  level,  is  decisive 
proof  that  the  globe  has  not  existed  in  its  present  state  eternally. 
Such  a  result  must  ultimately  proceed  from  these  causes,  if  they  con- 
tinue long  enough  in  operation :  and  that  would  be  to  reduce  the 
globe  to  an  uninhabitable  chaos :  for  if  the  present  dry  land  were 
16 


122  Scientific  Geology. 

spread  uniformly  over  the  whole  globe,  the  ocean  would  flow  over 
the  whole  of  it,  even  with  considerable  depth  of  waters. 

In  precipitous  ridges,  particularly  of  trap  formation,  frost  com- 
mences the  work  of  degradation.  Water,  penetrating  the  fissures  of 
these  rocks,  expands  by  freezing  and  forces  them  slightly  asunder. 
This  makes  room  for  a 'larger  portion  of  water  the  succeeding  win- 
ter ;  and  thus  the  process  goes  on  until  the  columnar  masses  of  rock 
are  urged  downward  by  the  force  of  gravity  and  powerful  rains. 
This  is  the  origin  of  those  extensive  slopes  of  broken  fragments,  or 
debris  of  rocks,  which  arrest  the  attention  on  the  mural  faces  of  the 
greenstone  ridges  in  the  Connecticut  valley.  Generally  these  frag- 
ments rise  only  about  one  half  or  two  thirds  the  height  of  the  ridge ; 
though  sometimes  they  continue  to  the  very  summit :  the  process  of 
degradation  from  this  cause  having  come  to  an  end. 

Instances  of  this  kind  have  been  regarded  by  geologists  as  a 
kind  of  natural  chronometer,  demonstrating  the  recent  origin  of  the 
present  state  of  the  globe.  No  observations,  however,  have  been 
made  on  the  progress  of  this  leveling  process  accurate  enough  to 
compare  it  with  historical  records. 

When  the  three  causes  of  degradation  above  mentioned  combine 
their  maximum  energy  on  the  sides  of  steep  Alpine  summits,  they 
produce  the  well  known  and  sometimes  terrific  phenomenon  of  land 
slips.  Though  examples  of  these  on  a  limited  scale  are  very  com- 
mon in  Massachusetts,  yet  the  only  one  worthy  the  particular  at- 
tention of  geologists,  is  on  the  southwest  side  of  Saddle  Mountain, 
at  the  place  called  the  Hopper.  But  this  has  been  particularly  no- 
ticed in  the  second  part  of  my  Report. 

Bog  Ore. 

In  the  western  part  of  Worcester  County,  and  over  a  large  extent 
of  territory,  the  process  by  which  this  ore  is  produced  and  deposited, 
is  so  manifest  that  it  deserves  description.  The  gneiss  rock  there, 
abounds  with  the  sulphuret  of  iron.  This  is  continually  undergoing 
a  decomposition  by  the  action  of  heat,  air,  and  moisture ;  and  be- 
comes changed,  first  into  an  oxide,  and  then,  some  of  it  into  a  sulphate. 
The  oxide  usually  imbibes  more  or  less  of  carbonic  acid  from  the 
atmosphere,  and  is  changed  into  a  carbonate  ;  which  is  soluble  in  wa- 
ter. Or  this  oxide,  being  washed  from  the  rocks  by  rain  into  cavities, 


Oxide  of  Manganese.  123 

meets  with  water  containing  carbonic  acid,  by  which  it  is  dissolved. 
Once  dissolved,  it  is  readily  transported  to  ponds  and  swamps,  and 
there  deposited  by  the  evaporation  of  the  water.  In  the  region  above 
referred  to,  this  process  may  be  witnessed  in  all  its  stages.  By  break- 
ing the  rock  we  find  the  sulphuret  unchanged ;  while  the  surface  is 
coated  over  with  the  oxide,  sulphate,  and  carbonate.  The  soil,  also, 
to  a  considerable  depth,  exhibits  very  strikingly  the  color  of  iron 
rust ;  and  in  the  low  grounds  the  bog  ore  is  abundant. 

Probably  a  similar  theory  will  apply  to  the  production  of  this  ore 
in  other  parts  of  the  State ;  though  I  know  of  no  spot  where  the 
process  is  so  obvious  as  in  Worcester  County.  Indeed,  the  fact  that 
very  many  of  our  bog  ore  deposites  are  buried  several  feet  deep  by 
soil,  and  occur  on  dry  ground,  shows  that  in  those  places  the  process 
of  its  formation  has  long  since  ceased.  In  several  ponds  in  the  south- 
east part  of  the  State,  it  is  said,  however,  that  it  is  forming  rapidly. 

Since  iron  is  a  mineralizer  of  organic  substances,  we  might  expect 
to  find  organic  remains  in  bog  ore.  In  that  of  Massachusetts,  I  have 
noticed  only  vegetable  relics.  In  New  Braintree  the  culms,  spikes, 
and  spikelets  of  grasses  —  mostly  of  carex — are  common.  The 
spikes  and  spikelets  especially,  are  very  distinct  and  perfect.  (No.  19) 
Even  the  natural  color  of  the  fruit  is  sometimes  preserved ;  and  to 
appearance  it  seems  to  be  unaltered ;  but  examination  shows  the 
whole  to  be  only  iron  ore. 

Oxide  of  Manganese. 

I  know  not  why  geologists  have  omitted  this  substance  in  enumer- 
ating alluvial  deposites.  For  it  seems  to  have  as  good  claims  to  be 
regarded  alluvial,  as  bog  ore  and  peat.  I  refer  particularly  to  the 
hydrated  oxide,  or  black  wad ;  which  is  ordinarily  a  mixture  of  man- 
ganese, iron,  and  clay.  This  is  certainly  produced  daily  by  a  process 
analogous  to  that  which  forms  bog  ore ;  that  is,  the  decomposition  of 
rocks  containing  manganese,  exposes  that  metal  to  be  washed  by 
water  into  cavities  on  the  surface  of  the  earth,  where  it  either  incrusts 
other  substances,  or  forms  a  separate  deposite.  Instances  of  this  in- 
crustation may  be  seen  every  where  in  the  primary  region  west  of 
Connecticut  river  ;  and  examples  of  such  deposition  I  have  observed 
in  Leverett,  Whately,  and  Conway.  These  deposites  are  sometimes 
a  foot  in  thickness,  and  occur  in  low  places,  covered  only  by  a  few 
inches  of  soil. 


124  Scientific  Geology. 

Power  of  Ice  in  the  Removal  of  Bowlders  in  Ponds. 

I  am  not  aware  that  this  phenomenon  has  been  noticed  on  the  east- 
ern continent;  and  it  has  been  but  rarely  observed  on  our  own.  Its 
effects  in  modifying  the  face  of  the  globe  must  be  very  limited ;  yet 
they  deserve  enumeration. 

It  is  well  known  that  water,  by  an  apparent  exception  to  a  general 
law,  expands  with  great  force  when  freezing,  and  even  far  below  the 
freezing  point.  Over  a  large  extent  of  surface  this  effect  may  be 
very  considerable ;  and  when  bowlder  stones,  lying  in  shallow  ponds, 
become  partially  enveloped  in  the  ice,  they  must  feel  the  effect  of  this 
expansion,  and  be  driven  towards  the  shore :  since  the  force  must 
always  act  in  that  direction.  As  no  counter  force  exists  to  bring 
back  the  rock  to  its  original  position,  the  ultimate  effect  must  be  to 
crowd  it  entirely  out  of  the  pond ;  and  perhaps  to  this  cause  we 
may  impute  the  fact,  that  on  the  margin  of  some  ponds  we  find  a  ridge 
of  bowlders;  while  the  bottom,  for  a  considerable  extent,  is  free  from 
them. 

The  femoral  of  rock  masses  in  this  manner  was  first  noticed  in 
Salisbury,  Ct,  j  and  a  statement  published  in  Vol.  9th  of  the  Amer- 
ican Journal  of  Science.  I  have  seen  no  similar  instance  in  Massa- 
chusetts j  but  Ret.  Sylvester  Holmes,  of  New  Bedford,  informs  me, 
that  an  undoubted  example  of  these  traveling  bowlders  exists  in  a  pond 
in  Carver,  Plymouth  County ;  and  that  their  track  in  the  mud  is 
quite  obvious. 

Action  of  the  Sea  upon  the  Coast. 

It  would  not  be  proper  in  this  place  to  go  into  the  minute  details  of 
this  subject.  Where  the  combined  and  often  conflicting  agency  of 
breakers,  tides,  currents,  and  rivers  at  their  mouths,  is  to  be  taken 
into  the  account,  it  is  obvious  that  very  complicated  effects  must  re- 
sult :  yet  in  general  it  may  be  stated,  that  the  sea  sometimes  en- 
croaches upon  the  land,  and  sometimes  makes  additions  to  it.  Wheth- 
er upon  the  whole  these  effects  are  balanced,  is  a  question  upon 
which  geologists  are  divided  in  opinion.  My  object  is  merely  to 
state  such  facts  as  have  fallen  under  my  notice  in  respect  to  the  coast 
of  Massachusetts. 

Encroachments  of  the  Sea. 

The  most  remarkable  example  of  this  occurs  in  Boston  Harbor. 
Here,  as  is  well  known,  are  numerous  picturesque  islands,  the  inner 


Boston  Harbor.  125 

ones,  nearly  as  far  as  the  Boston  Light,  being  composed  chiefly  of 
diluvium ;  though  on  their  shores,  at  a  low  level,  not  unfrequently 
we  find  argillaceous  slate  and  other  rocks  that  occur  on  the  main 
land.  But  all  the  islands  outwards  from  the  Great  Brewster,  are 
merely  naked  masses  of  rock,  and  it  would  be  natural  to  infer  that 
the  diluvium  had  been  removed  from  these,  even  if  we  did  not  actu- 
ally detect  the  process.  But  on  the  Great  Brewster,  the  work  is  go- 
ing on  before  our  eyes.  Its  eastern  side  is  a  high  bank  of  diluvium, 
obviously  wasting  away  by  the  action  of  the  waves  that  roll  in  upon 
it  from  the  wide  Atlantic ;  while  the  extensive  beach  along  its  south- 
ern side,  is  composed  of  the  materials  that  have  been  swept  away 
from  its  outer  coast.  The  same  process  is  seen  going  on  upon  the 
outer  side  of  several  other  islands  j  and  on  Deer  Island  an  extensive 
wall  of  stone  has  been  erected  by  the  U.  States  Government  to  arrest 
the  progress  of  this  degradation  ;  which,  if  continued  much  longer 
there,  would  lay  open  the  inner  part  of  Boston  Harbor  to  the  fury  of 
the  northeasterly  storms.  From  the  same  cause  another  of  these  Is- 
land, (I  have  forgotten  which,)  when  seen 
from  the  northeast,  exhibits  an  outline  as 
regular,  and  with  a  single  house  near  its 
center,  as  fantastic  as  this  drawing. 
It  seems  to  me  that  no  man,  accustomed  to  reason  correctly  from 
geological  facts  to  their  causes,  can  hesitate,  in  view  of  the  appear- 
ances which  these  islands  exhibit,  to  infer  that  all  those  outside  of  the 
Great  Brewster  have  been  deprived  of  their  diluvial  coat  by  the  ac- 
tion of  the  ocean.  Nor  when  we  consider  the  frequency  and  vio- 
lence of  northeast  winds  and  storms  upon  this  coast,  need  we  fear 
that  the  cause  is  inadequate  to  the  effect ;  although  it  is  not  less  than 
two  and  a  half  miles  from  the  Great  Brewster  to  the  outermost  of  the 
Graves.  It  does  not,  indeed,  follow,  that  all  the  intervening  space 
between  these  outer  islands  was  once  solid  land  ;  so  that  the  ocean 
has  actually  worn  away  21-2  miles ;  and  yet,  this  seems  highly 
probable.  Indeed,  the  mind  is  irresistibly  led  to  enquire  whether  the 
whole  harbor  has  not  been  thus  produced  by  the  same  cause  ;  and 
when  we  see  so  many  islands  scattered  over  its  bosom,  which  seem 
obviously  the  wrecks  of  one  continuous  diluvial  formation,  and  per- 
ceive that  the  rocks,  wherever  they  occur,  are  only  a  continuation  of 
those  occurring  on  the  mainland,  the  most  cautious  reasoner  can  hardly 
avoid  the  conclusion  that  such  was  the  origin  of  this  harbor :  or,  at 
least,  that  this  was  a  powerful  auxiliary  cause  in  its  formation.  Nay, 


126  Scientific  Geology. 

it  is  difficult  to  see  why  the  same  reasoning  will  not  apply  to  the 
whole  of  Massachusetts  Bay;  and  when  we  see  with  what  tremen- 
dous force  the  ocean  must,  for  ages,  have  battered  the  hard  sienitic 
rocks  of  Cape  Ann,  and  what  an  immense  accumulation  of  sand, 
gravel,  and  bowlders,  has  been  made  along  the  south  shore  of  this 
bay,  we  feel  almost  prepared  to  adopt  this  theory.  And  yet,  we  are 
staggered  in  our  belief  when  we  reflect  on  the  immense  period  of 
time  requisite  for  such  a  work  ;  and  doubt  whether  other  geological 
facts  do  not  indicate  a  later  commencement  to  the  present  order  of 
things  on  the  globe. 

The  proper  place  for  learning  the  dynamical  effect  of  northeast 
storms  upon  our  coast,  is  on  the  north  east  side  of  Cape  Ann.  Rocks 
of  many  tons  weight  have  been  in  this  manner  moved  from  their  beds, 
and  driven  inward  a  considerable  distance.  I  regret  that  I  cannot  be 
more  definite  in  this  statement.  But  one  has  only  to  visit  this  coast 
to  be  astonished  at  the  marks  every  where  exhibited  of  the  powerful 
agency  of  a  stormy  ocean,  and  to  be  satisfied  that  nothing  but  the  ex- 
treme hardness  and  unstratified  structure  of  the  rocks  has  enabled 
them  to  resist  its  violence.  And  when  we  learn  that  the  rocks  of 
Boston  Harbour  are  softer  and  shistose,  we  see  a  sufficient  reason 
why  they  have  given  way  before  the  breakers,  while  Cape  Ann,  and 
the  shores  of  Cohasset  and  Scituate,  maintain  their  position. 

Several  cliffs  of  clay  and  sand  along  the  coast  exhibit  the  combined 
effects  of  the  ocean,  rains,  frost,  &c.  in  wearing  away  the  land.  In 
Chilmark,  on  Martha's  Vineyard,  is  one  of  these  facing  the  southeast, 
and  at  least  a  mile  in  length.  It  is  now  rare  that  the  breakers  rise 
high  enough  to  impinge  directly  against  the  cliff  :  but  they  wash 
away  whatever  materials  have  been  brought  down  by  the  rains.  Gay 
Head,  which  is  the  western  extremity  of  the  same  island,  presents  a 
cliff  of  variegated  clays,  sands,  &c,  not  less  than  150  feet  high;  and 
which,  standing  exposed  to  the  buffetings  of  wind  and  waves  from  the 
sea,  and  to  the  wastes  of  storms  from  above,  exhibits  perhaps  the  most 
instructive  example  along  the  shore,  of  the  effects  of  these  agents. 
In  the  second  part  of  my  Report,  I  described  this  cliff  as  a  most  pic- 
turesque object  of  scenery  ;  but  there  is  not  likewise  a  more  interes- 
ting spot  in  the  State,  to  the  geologist.  And  among  other  things  he 
cannot  but  notice  the  numerous  fantastic  forms  into  which  the  lofty 
masses  of  clay  have  been  worn,  while  the  numerous  bowlders  and 
pebbles  along  the  beach  attest  the  violent  action  of  the  sea.  The  fol- 


Encroachments  of  the  Sea.  127 

lowing  sketch,  hastily  taken,  will  give  some  idea  of  the  aspect  of  the 
northwestern  part  of  this  cliff,  as  seen  by  a  person  standing  on  the 
beach  below,  close  to  the  water — To  exhibit  it  in  perfection,  the  vari- 
ous lively  colors  of  the  different  kinds  of  clay  should  be  put  upon  it. 


Oblique  View  of  the  Clay  Cliffs  at  Gay  Head. 

A  similar  bank  of  clay  occurs  at  the  Light  House  in  Truro,  near 
the  extremity  of  Cape  Cod.  It  lies  exposed  to  the  unbroken  fury  of  the 
wide  Atlantic,  and  the  marks  of  slow  encroachment  upon  the  land 
are  quite  manifest.  Indeed,  it  is  the  prevailing  opinion  in  that  region^ 
that  this  Cape  is  wearing  away  along  the  whole  extent  of  its  eastern 
extremity,  and  extending  farther  into  Massachusetts  Bay  on  the  op- 
posite side.  I  have  no  doubt  that  this  is  the  case.  For  the  general 
current  on  that  coast  is  towards  the  south. 

The  same  I  presume  is  true  of  a  considerable  portion  of  the  eastern* 
shore  of  Nantucket.  From  data,  on  which  Lt.  Prescott  places  con- 
siderable confidence,  he  infers,  that  in  one  place,  the  loss  of  land  with- 
in half  a  century,  has  amounted  to  3  or  4  rods  in  width. 

This  advance  of  the  ocean,  however,  must  not  all  be  imputed  to  the* 
action  of  currents.  For  when  once  a  sand  bank  of  considerable 
height  has  been  raised  on  the  coast,  the  sea  breezes  will  drive  it 
inwards  farther  than  the  land  breezes  will  bring  it  back.  This 
^inland  march  is  quite  obvious  on  Chatham  Beach,  in  the  situation 
of  a  swamp,  which,  50  years  ago,  was  in  the  center  of  the  beach ; 
but  now  lies  near  the  eastern  shore ;  the  body  of  the  sands  having 
moved  farther  west.  A  salt  meadow  formerly  situated  on  the  wes- 
tern side  of  the  beach,  adjoining  the  old  north  passage  into  Chatham 


128  Scientific  Geology. 

harbor,  has  been  covered  up,  and  now  begins  to  be  disinterred  on  the 
eastern  shore.  A  similar  change  of  sides  has  taken  place  in  a  peat 
swamp  on  Nauset  Beach  ;  which  lies  north  of  Chatham  Beach,  join- 
ing the  main  land  at  Eastham. 

I  have  described,  in  the  second  part  of  this  Report,  two  excavations 
in  solid  rock  in  Newport,  Rhode  Island ;  one  of  which  is  called  Pur- 
gatory ;  and  these  may  be  taken  as  a  good  example  of  the  action  of 
the  sea  upon  a  rocky  shore. 

Gain  of  the  Land  upon  the  Sea. 

Very  frequently  the  materials  that  have  been  swept  away  by  the 
sea,  are  again  deposited  by  tides  and  currents  along  the  same  coast, 
forming  low  beaches.  This  is  the  case  in  nearly  all  the  instances  on 
our  coast  where  the  land  is  wasting  away.  Perhaps  the  most  re- 
markable example  is  Chatham  Beach,  at  the  southeastern  extremity  of 
Cape  Cod,  which  was  probably  all  formed  in  this  manner.  On  the 
Cape  I  was  informed  that  this  beach  had  advanced  southerly,  during 
the  last  40  years,  at  the  rate  of  a  mile  in  8  years.  Des  Barres  con- 
structed a  chart  of  this  coast  in  1772,  and  he  says  that  the  gain  of 
this  beach,  for  30  years  previous  to  that  period,  was  21-2  miles,  that 
is  a  mile  every  12  years. 

An  intelligent  writer  in  the  Barnstable  Journal,  however,  has  re- 
cently stated,  that  it  has  advanced  southerly  only  three  miles  in  70 
years.  He  says  that  20  years  ago,  this  beach  was  an  island ;  and 
that  there  was  a  good  harbor  near  its  northern  termination,  which  is 
now  entirely  filled  up  ;  so  that  no  indentation  of  the  coast  marks  its 
former  situation.  Webb's  island,  also,  formerly  situated  not  far  from 
this  harbor,  is  entirely  washed  away.  In  consequence  of  these 
changes,  it  is  well  known  that  the  harbor  of  Chatham,  once  excel- 
lent, is  nearly  ruined ;  and  nothing  can  save  it  from  complete  destruc- 
tion but  the  forming  of  a  new  entrance. 

Nauset  Beach,  already  referred  to,  has  likewise  extended,  accord- 
ing to  the  same  writer,  a  mile  southerly  in  50  years ;  and  it  can  ex- 
tend no  farther  in  that  direction.  In  Nauset  harbor  the  salt  marsh 
has  so  much  increased  within  40  years,  that  300  tons  of  salt  grass 
are  now  cut  where  at  that  time  only  flats  existed. 

Monomoy  Beach  extends  southerly  from  Chatham  towards  Nan- 
tucket  ;  and  has  been  formed  in  a  similar  manner  by  increments  at 
its  southern  extremity.  Not  long  ago  the  sea  broke  across  the  north- 
ern part  of  this  beach,  so  that  it  is  now  an  island. 


Gain  of  the  Land  upon  the  Sea.  129 

Sandy  Neck  extends  eastward  from  Sandwich  nearly  across  Barn- 
stable  harbor,  and  it  continues  to  advance  in  an  easterly  direction. 
There  can  be  little  doubt,  also,  that  nearly,  or  quite  the  whole  of 
Provincetown  was  formed  in  the  same  manner,  and  ought  to  be  re- 
garded as  alluriaL 

In  like  manner  Smith's  Point,  which  is  a  low  sand  beach  constitut- 
ing the  southwestern  extremity  of  Nantucket,  has  been  produced  by 
materials  drifted  thither  by  tides  and  currents  from  the  eastern  side 
of  the  island.  When  Des  Barres  constructed  his  chart,  its  extent  was 
nearly  the  same  as  at  present.  But  since  that  time,  as  Lt.  Prescott 
informs  me,  it  has  been  from  one  to  two  miles  shorter.  Whether  the 
current  that  forms  this  beach  passes  around  the  northern  point  of  the 
island,  or  along  its  southern  shore,  has  not  been  ascertained :  but  it  is 
certain  that  a  c-urrent  does  set  around  the  northern  point,  and  thence 
along  the  northwestern  shore,  as  certain  facts  prove,  which  I  have 
not  time  to  mention.  And  probably  it  is  this  current  chiefly  which 
has  formed  Smith's  Point;  and  not  unlikely,  also,  the  islands  of 
Thuckanuck  and  Muskegut,  as  well  as  the  extensive  shoals  between 
Nantucket  and  Martha's  Vineyard.  It  may  be  likewise,  that  another 
current  passes  along  the  south  shore  of  Nantucket,  aiding  in  this 
work,  and  forming  Nantucket  Shoals.  And  perhaps  the  irregular 
action  of  these  currents,  aided  by  unequal  tides,  may  sometimes 
lengthen  out,  and  at  other  times  curtail  the  low  beach  of  Nantucket 
called  Smith's  Point. 

In  several  other  places  on  the  shores  of  Nantucket,  there  appears 
to  have  been  an  accession  to  the  land,  in  the  manner  that  has  been 
described.  But  I  am  too  ignorant  of  details  concerning  these  spots, 
to  be  able  to  make  any  statements  of  interest  about  their  progress  or 
extent. 

Considerations  like  the  foregoing  often  lead  a  man  to  feel  as  if  such 
low  sandy  islands  as  Nantucket,  and  others  in  its  neighborhood,  were 
sliding  from  under  his  feet.  But  that  no  general  change  of  position 
has  taken  place  in  them  is  obvious  from  the  fact,  that  most  of  the  cliffs 
on  the  shores  of  Nantucket  at  least,  exhibit  regular  layers  of  sand 
and  clay,  demonstrating  its  general  structure  to  be  that  of  a  tertiary 
formation,  which  has  never  been  removed  since  its  original  deposi- 
tion. True,  if  the  world  exist  long  enough,  and  these  agencies  con- 
tinue to  operate,  the  whole  island  will  change  its  position.  But  as 
the  work  has  progressed  so  slowly  during  the  past  6000  years,  the 
time  requisite  for  its  completion  must  be  immensely  great, 
17 


130  Scientific  Geology, 

Dunes  or  Downs. 

Sand  Is  frequently  thrown  by  the  spray,  or  waves,  during  a  storm, 
so  high  upon  the  shore,  that  the  reflux  waves  do  not  carry  it  back. 
This  being  drie'd  by  the  sun,  is  driven  inwards  by  the  sea  breezes, 
and  in  the  course  of  time  forms  hills  of  conisderable  elevation.  Or 
sometimes  the  wind  from  the  sea  raises  the  sand  from  a  cliff  of  terti- 
ary formation,  and  carries  it  inland.  Thus  are  formed  those  moving 
sand  hills,  which  on  the  eastern  continent,  are  called  dunes  or  downs,, 
and  which  have  excited  so  much  interest  near  the  banks  of  the  Nile. 
As  might  be  expected,  these  dunes  are  common  along  the  shore  in 
the  southeastern  part  of  Massachusetts.  They  may  be  seen  in  the 
greatest  perfection  and  on  the  largest  scale,  on  Cape  Cod ;  particu- 
larly near  its  extremity.  They  are  frequently  as  high  as  60  or  70 
feet,  and  on  the  east  end  of  the  Cape,  they  move  towards  the  west, 
but  at  what  rate,  in  any  instance,  I  was  unable  to  ascertain.  A  series 
of  these  dunes,  several  miles  long,  threatens  the  village  and  bay  of 
Provincetown,  and  large  quantities  of  the  beach  grass  have  been 
transplanted  to  their  ridges  for  the  purpose  of  arresting  their  progress. 
I  observed,  also,  that  the  two  species  of  Hudsonia,  which  are  com- 
mon on  the  Cape,  present  no  small  obstacle  to  the  advancement  of 
these  sands  ;  though  never  transplanted,  that  I  am  aware  of,  for  this 
purpose. 

On  both  shores  of  Cape  Cod  throughout  its  whole  extent,  may  be 
seen  dunes  more  or  less  extensive :  and  by  their  snowy  whiteness 
they  sometimes  give  great  interest  to  the  landscape.  I  cannot  learn 
that  any  of  them  have  been  productive  of  such  extensive  mischief  ta 
farms  and  villages  as  has  sometimes  resulted  from  their  progress  on 
the  eastern  continent.  It  would  be  strange,  however,  if  the  future 
history  of  Cape  Cod  should  not  contain  catastrophes  of  this  kind. 
Indeed,  I  have  stated  that  they  have  aided  in  rilling  up  the  harbor  of 
Chatham. 

Dunes  of  smaller  extent,  and  of  low  elevation,  occur  on  Nantucket,, 
Martha's  Vineyard,  some  of  the  Elizabeth  Islands,  and  in  many 
places  along  the  coast  in  the  county  of  Plymouth.  Moveable  sand 
hills  also  occur  rarely  in  the  interior  of  the  state ;  as,  for  instance,  in 
the  Connecticut  valley,  in  Montague,  Hadley,  and  in  Enfield,  Ct 
But  concerning  these  I  know  of  no  facts  of  special  interest,  except 
that  they  are  slowly  advancing  towards  the  southeast ;  indicating  the 
predominance  of  northwest  winds. 


Origin  of  Valleys.  131 

Valleys, 

Accurately  to  classify  valleys,  and  assign  probable  causes  for  their 
origin,  is  one  of  the  most  difficult  problems  in  geology.  The  man 
who  takes  only  a  hasty  glance  at  the  subject,  is  very  apt  to  impute 
all  valleys  to  the  action  of  existing  streams.  But  it  needs  only  a 
slight  examination  to  satisfy  the  observer  that  such  a  cause  is  totally 
inadequate  to  the  effect.  It  will  not,  for  example,  explain  the  very 
common  occurrence  of  one  valley  crossing  another.  Hence  geolo- 
gists have  been  obliged  to  resort  to  several  causes  to  explain  all  the 
phenomena.  The  origin  of  one  class  of '  vallies,  they  refer  to  the 
original  elevation  and  fracture  of  the  rocks  by  a  force  acting  from 
within  the  earth.  A  second  class  they  regard  as  the  result  of  dilu- 
vial action  at  various  periods.  A  third  class  they  suppose  to  result 
from  the  agency  of  existing  streams. 

I  am  not  aware  that  any  attempt  has  yet  been  made  to  classify  and 
point  out  the  origin  of  the  valleys  of  this  country.  Nor  shall  I  at- 
tempt to  do  this  in  respect  to  all  the  valleys  even  in  Massachusetts. 
I  have  no  expectation  of  doing  any  thing  like  justice  to  so  difficult  a 
subject,  except  where  long  local  residence  has  afforded  ample  oppor- 
tunity for  re-examination  and  reflection.  I  shall  therefore  confine  my- 
self chiefly  to  the  valleys  in  the  region  of  Connecticut  river ;  though 
if  I  do  not  greatly  mistake,  these  are  by  far  the  most  remarkable  and 
interesting  in  the  State. 

It  is  only  those  valleys  which  are  the  result  of  alluvial  action  that 
can  be  properly  considered  in  this  place.  But  as  it  will  be  more  con- 
venient to  treat  of  the  whole  subject  together,  I  shall  here  offer  all 
the  remarks  I  have  to  make  upon  it. 

It  is  now  generally  admitted  by  geologists,  that  all  stratified  rocks 
must  have  been  originally  deposited  in  nearly  horizontal  layers,  and 
subsequently  elevated  to  their  present  inclined  position  by  a  force  act- 
ing beneath.  Such  a  disturbance  must  have  produced  many  violent 
and  extensive  fractures  in  the  strata  and  valleys  of  every  shape.  And 
since  in  the  mountainous  parts  of  Massachusetts,  the  strata  are  mostly 
primary  and  highly  inclined,  probably  this  is  the  manner  in  which 
most  of  our  mountain  valleys  have  been  produced.  If,  as  is  now 
also  generally  admitted,  the  strata  were  elevated  from  the  bottom  of 
the  ocean,  the  retiring  waters  must  have  acted  powerfully  upon  the 
irregular  surface,  and  considerably  modified  the  forms  of  the  valleys. 
The  agency  of  rains,  snows,  and  rivers,  since  that  period,  must  have 


182  Scientific  Geology. 

given  them  still  farther  modifications.  Nor  ought  we  to  leave  out  of 
the  account  any  other  deluges  of  a  date  subsequent  to  that  of  the 
elevation  of  the  strata,  that  may  have  swept  over  the  land. 

The  valleys  through  which  the  Connecticut  and  its  tributaries 
flow,  are  the  largest  and  most  remarkable  in  the  State.  The  ordinary 
laws  of  physical  geography  seem  here  to  be  set  at  defiance ;  so  much 
so,  that  a  late  ingenious  writer*  doubted  whether  I  had  correctly  rep- 
resented the  "  Geology  of  the  Connecticut,"  because  the  course  of  the 
rivers,  and  the  direction  of  the  mountain  ridges,  were  described  as 
having  so  little  correspondence  with  the  rock  formations.  But  the 
features  of  the  geology,  as  well  as  of  the  scenery,  along  this  river, 
are  too  obvious  to  be  easily  mistaken  in  their  great  outlines,  which 
are  alone  concerned  in  this  enquiry.  The  relation  of  the  rivers  to 
the  different  mountain  ridges  and  rock  formations,  I  hope  to  render 
intelligible  by  the  aid  of  the  accompanying  map,  (See  Plate  XV.)  on 
which  are  traced  only  the  chief  outlines  of  the  surface.  To  pre- 
sent all  the  smaller  irregularities  of  surface,  I  found  would  only  ob- 
scure the  points  which  I  wish  to  illustrate. 

That  portion  of  the  valley  of  the  Connecticut  to  which  I  shall  spe- 
cially refer  at  this  time,  extends  from  near  the  north  line  of  Massa- 
chusetts to  Long  Island  Sound  at  New  Haven.  It  is  bounded  by 
broad  and  generally  lofty  primary  mountains ;  which,  at  the  north- 
ern and  southern  extremities  of  the  valley,  converge  until  they  almost 
meet,  as  may  be  seen  on  the  map.  They  are  farthest  asunder  about 
in  the  latitude  of  Hartford.  This  valley  is  divided  diagonally  by  a 
ridge  of  greenstone  ;  commencing  on  the  south  with  West  Rock  at 
New  Haven,  and  extending,  with  few  interruptions,  to  East  Hamp- 
ton, where  it  attains  an  elevation  of  about  1000  feet,  and  forms  Mount 
Tom.  Here  it  crosses  the  Connecticut,  and  on  the  opposite  bank, 
forms  Mount  Holyoke ;  and  continuing  a  few  miles  farther,  termin- 
ates in  Belchertown,  as  already  described  in  the  second  part  of  this 
Report.  This  greenstone  range  is  separated  by  vallies  from  the  pri- 
mary ranges  at  its  extremities  ;  and  there  are  several  places  where  it 
almost  entirely  disappears,  as  at  the  point  in  Hamden,  through  which 
passes  the  Farmington  Canal :  unless  any  are  disposed  to  regard 
Mount  Carmel,  in  that  town,  as  the  southern  extremity  of  the  range, 
and  the  hills  to  the  southwest,  as  a  distinct  range.  Several  other 

*  Darby's  View  of  the  United  States,  p.  164. 


Valleys.  133 

hills  and  elevated  ridges  of  less  extent,  occur  in  this  valley ;  but  it  is 
unnecessary  in  this  place  to  describe  them. 

In  tracing  the  Connecticut  through  this  valley,  the  geologist  will 
be  surprised  to  find  it  crossing  the  greenstone  ridge  above  described, 
and  that  too  in  its  highest  part,  viz.  through  the  gorge  between  Hoi- 
yoke  and  Tom.  For  he  will  naturally  enquire,  why  did  not  the  river 
flow  through  that  part  of  the  valley  west  of  this  ridge ;  and  follow- 
ing the  course  of  the  Farmington  Canal,  empty  at  New  Haven  ? 
For  it  appears  from  the  surveys  on  that  Canal,  that  in  no  place  is  that 
part  of  the  valley  more  than  134  feet  above  the  present  level  of  the 
Connecticut  at  Northampton ;  whereas  the  ridge  through  which  it 
passes  is  from  800  to  1000  feet  high.  But  the  surprise  of  the  geol- 
ogist will  be  still  farther  increased,  when  he  finds  this  river  at  Mid- 
dletown,  quitting  the  great  valley  above  described,  and  passing  over 
the  remainder  of  its  course  through  a  deep  ravine  among  primary 
mountains. 

What  inference  shall  we  deduce  from  these  remarkable  facts? 
Why,  surely,  that  the  Connecticut  River  did  not  excavate  its  own 
bed ;  for  had  the  barriers  at  Northampton  and  Middletown  been 
higher  than  134  feet,  above  its  present  bed,  it  must  have  emptied  into 
the  Sound  at  New  Haven.  We  must  seek  some  other  cause,  there- 
fore, for  the  origin  of  the  passage  between  Holyoke  and  Tom,  and 
for  that  through  the  mountains  below  Middletown. 

Another  inference  is,  that  if  the  Connecticut  ever  formed  a  lake  in 
its  present  valley,  it  must  have  been  rather  limited  and  shallow.  For 
every  place  100  feet  higher  than  Northampton  meadows  at  present,, 
must  have  been  above  the  waters.  It  may  perhaps  be  thought  that 
a  barrier  might  have  formerly  existed  at  New  Haven,  which  was 
subsequently  worn  down.  But  this  would  have  been  too  mighty  a 
work  for  any  transient  deluge  to  accomplish ;  and  the  idea  that  the 
land  was  for  a  long  time  sunk  beneath  the  ocean  after  the  existence 
of  the  river,  so  as  to  be  acted  on  by  currents,  cannot  be  admitted,  be- 
cause this  would  have  destroyed  the  river.  The  existence  of  an 
extensive  tertiary  formation  along  the  Connecticut,  however,  with 
horizontal  strata,  renders  it  probable  that  this  river  did  once  form  a 
lake  in  its  present  valley ;  though  I  have  not  been  able  to  determine 
certainly  whether  this  tertiary  formation  was  formed  beneath  fresh 
or  salt  water. 

Not  less  remarkable  than  that  of  the  Connecticut,  are  the  beds  of 
its  principal  tributaries,  the  Deerfield,  the  Westfield,  and  the  Farm- 


134  Scientific  Geology. 

ington  rivers.  As  may  be  seen  on  the  map,  these  all  cross  a  high 
ridge  of  greenstone  before  they  reach  the  Connecticut ;  and  in  the 
case  of  Deerfield  river  particularly,  the  gorge  through  which  it  pass- 
es, not  less  than  250  feet  deep,  appears  as  if  it  must  have  been  worn 
down  for  the  express  purpose  of  suffering  the  river  to  pass.  And 
yet,  this  river  has  only  to  rise  80  or  90  feet  above  its  present  bed,  in 
order  to  find  a  direct  passage  to  Connecticut  river  on  the  south  side 
of  Sugar  Loaf  mountain.  And  so  the  Westfield  and  the  Farmington 
might  have  passed  down  the  western  part  of  the  Connecticut  valley, 
and  emptied  at  New  HaveVi,  had  their  beds  been  from  100  or  130  feet 
higher  than  at  present.  And  such  must  have  been  the  course  which 
all  these  rivers  would  have  taken,  had  not  the  gorges  through  which 
they  now  pass  in  the  greenstone  ridges,  been  excavated  for  them  be- 
fore they  began  to  flow,  at  least,  to  a  considerable  depth. 

The  direction  of  the  primary  strata,  and  the  general  course  of  the 
valleys  in  the  mountainous  region  on  the  west  side  of  the  Connecticut 
valley,  is  north  and  south.  But  instead  of  following  these  valleys, 
Deerfield  and  Westfield  rivers  flow  through  ravines,  running  in  gen- 
eral across  the  strata,  and  across  the  general  course  of  the  valleys. 
These  ravines  are,  for  the  most  part,  very  narrow  and  deep,  and  the 
edges  of  the  strata  on  their  opposite  sides  correspond.  It  seems 
difficult  to  suppose  that  these  rivers  have  produced  these  ravines ;  and 
yet,  since  no  similar  ones  occur  in  the  region,  one  hesitates  to  say 
that  they  were  not  formed  by  fluviatile  action.  There  is  not  certainly 
the  same  means  of  proving  their  existence  previous  to  that  of  the 
rivers,  as  in  regard  to  the  gorges  already  described,  through  which 
these  rivers  and  the  Connecticut  flow.  Concerning  the  passage  of 
Farmington  river  through  the  primary  regions,  I  am  too  ignorant  to 
be  able  to  make  any  definite  statements. 

Terraced  Valleys. 

Although  there  is  demonstrative  evidence  that  the  rivers  under  con- 
sideration did  not  in  all  cases  first  excavate  the  valleys  through  which 
they  flow,  yet  there  is  on  the  other  hand,  evidence  scarcely  less  con- 
clusive, that  they  have  considerably  lowered  their  beds  since  they  be- 
gan to  flow.  Between  the  primary  mountains,  from  whence  Deer- 
field  and  Westfield  rivers,  for  example,  issue,  and  the  greenstone 
ridges  through  which  they  pass,  they  have  formed  alluvial  basins, 
somewhat  extensive,  and  sunk  about  90  feet  below  the  general  level 
of  the  bottom  of  the  Connecticut  basin.  And  the  banks  of  these 


Terraced  Valleys.  135 

basins  are  in  some  places  curiously  terraced  •  the  different  terraces 
being  on  a  level  on  opposite  sides  of  the  basin.  If  we  start  from  the 
edge  of  the  stream  at  low  water,  and  ascend  a  bank  of  10  to  15  feet 
high,  we  shall  come  upon  an  alluvial  meadow,  which  is  frequently 
overflowed ;  and  is  consequently  receiving  yearly  deposits.  This 
may  be  regarded  as  the  lowest  terrace.  Crossing  this,  we  ascend 
the  escarpment  of  a  second  terrace,  30  or  40  feet  in  height,  which 
may  be  seen  at  intervals  on  the  same  level  on  all  sides  of  the  meadow. 
This  second  terrace  is  rarely  very  wide  in  any  place,  and  seems  to 
be  only  the  remnants  of  a  meadow,  once  much  more  extensive,  which 
has  been  worn  away.  Ascending  from  this  second  terrace,  40  or  50 
feet,  up  another  escarpment,  we  reach  the  plain  that  forms  the  bottom 
of  the  great  valley  of  the  Connecticut.  This  constitutes  the  upper 
terrace. 

The  above  description  applies  to  the  principal  terraces  existing  on 
Westfield  river,  one  or  two  miles  west  of  the  village,  as  well  as  to  those 
one  or  two  miles  east;  and  to  those  in  Deerfield  meadows,  as  well 
as  to  those  on  the  same  river  in  the  upper  part  of  Charlemont. 
Smaller  ones  occur  farther  up  the  stream  on  Westfield  river ;  also  on 
one  of  its  tributaries  ;  and  on  Green  Rriver,  a  tributary  of  the  Deer- 
field.  I  have  also  noticed  imperfect  terraces  on  Blackstone  River, 
below  Worcester.  One  quite  distinct  may  be  seen  in  West  Brook- 
field,  on  a  small  branch  of  the  Chickopee,  which  passes  through  that 
place.  In  short,  terraces  more  or  less  distinct,  exist  on  almost  every 
stream  of  much  size  in  the  State,  wherever  the  banks  are  low  enough 
to  admit  of  alluvial  flats. 

The  banks  of  the  Connecticut  are  less  distinctly  terraced  in  Mass- 
achusetts, than  the  smaller  streams  that  have  been  noticed.  Yet  they 
exist  on  that  river  in  several  places  within  the  limits  of  the  appended 
geological  map.  In  Vernon,  a  few  miles  south  of  Brattleborough 
village,  two  quite  distinct  terraces  may  be  seen  on  the  west  bank  of 
the  river.  Between  Turner's  Falls  and  the  mouth  of  Miller's  river, 
the  same  number  appear,  though  less  distinct.  In  passing  southerly, 
we  find  the  same  number  on  the  west  bank,  in  Pine  Nook  meadows, 
in  the  southeast  part  of  Deerfield.  In  the  south  part  of  Sunderland, 
and  north  part  of  Hadley,  on  the  east  side  of  the  river,  two  terraces 
appear,  although  they  are  at  a  greater  distance  than  usual  from  the 
river.  Traces  of  them  appear  also,  in  Springfield  and  West  Spring- 
field. In  most  of  these  case's  they  are  discoverable  only  on  one  side 
of  the  river. 


136  Scientific  Geology. 

This  peculiar  arrangement  of  the  sides  of  valleys,  although 
scarcely  ever  noticed  by  geological  writers  in  this  country,  appear  to 
be  very  common  on  both  sides  of  the  Atlantic.  Dr.  Bigsby  notices 
a  striking  case  in  Lower  Canada ;  and  Dr.  Macculloch  represents 
them  as  numerous  in  Scotland.  They  appear  to  be  a  distinct  phe- 
nomenon from  the  Parallel  Roads,  so  ably  described  by  the  last 
named  writer.* 

No  observer  will  doubt  but  terraced  valleys  were  produced,  in  some 
way  or  other,  by  the  streams  that  now  flow  through  them.  And  it  is 
natural  to  impute  them  to  the  sudden  bursting  of  the  barriers  of  a 
pond  or  lake,  through  which  the  stream  flowed  ;  or  to  the  sudden  re- 
moval of  an  obstruction  in  a  river,  whereby  its  bed  was  rapidly 
deepened  in  soft  soil,  higher  up  the  stream  than  the  obstruction.  If, 
for  instance,  the  greenstone  barrier  through  which  Deerfield  and 
Westfield  rivers  now  pass,  had  been  suddenly  sunk  a  number  of  feet 
by  some  convulsion  of  the  earth,  or  powerful  ice  flood,  their  beds 
would  have  been  rapidly  sunk  by  the  waters  in  the  soft  meadows 
above  the  barriers ;  and  thus  terraces  might  have  resulted.  But  I 
may  be  permitted  to  doubt  whether  any  such  sudden  reduction  of  the 
river's  bed  is  necessary  to  account  for  this  phenomenon. 

Let  us  suppose  a  period,  when  the  bed  of  Connecticut  river,  in  the 
•mountainous  region  below  Middletown,  was  yet  so  elevated  as  to 
^ause  the  waters  to  overflow  the  great  basin  between  New  Haven 
and  Vermont.  At  that  time,  the  mouths  of  Deerfield  and  Westfield 
rivers  would  have  been  on  the  western  margin  of  this  lake,  or  in  the 
places  where  they  now  issue  from  the  primary  mountains.  As  the  Con- 
necticut wore  down  its  bed,  the  lake  would  gradually  drain  off,  leav- 
ing the  tertiary  formation,  which  its  waters  had  deposited,  perhaps 
100  feet  thick  upon  an  average,  with  an  almost  entirely  level  surface. 
The  Connecticut,  having  found  its  present  bed,  and  the  waters  being 
drained  from  the  valley,  Westfield  and  Deerfield  rivers  must  also  ex- 
cavate beds  in  the  tertiary  formation,  above  described,  in  their  course 
to  the  Connecticut.  Their  course  would  no  doubt  at  first  be  ex- 
tremely serpentine,  as  that  of  rivers  usually  is,  in  flat  countries.  But 
as  the  bed  of  the  Connecticut  gradually  sunk  lower  and  lower,  so 
would  the  beds  of  its  tributaries  sink  :  and  then,  would  their  waters, 
often  swollen  by  rains  and  obstructed  by  ice,  begin  to  wear  away  the 
the  projecting  banks,  and  convey  them  into  the  Connecticut.  At 

*  Geological  Translations,  Vol.  IV.  p.  314. 


Green  River.  137 

length,  the  banks  on  either  side  of  the  rivers,  would  be  worn  down 
and  removed  for  a  considerable  extent.  In  other  words,  such  basins 
as  now  exist  at  Deerfield  and  Westfield,  would  be  produced ;  less 
deep,  however,  and  destitute  of  terraces.  As  this  basin  enlarged, 
another  process  would  commence.  While  the  stream  was  confined 
within  narrow  limits,  the  alluvial  matter,  brought  down  from  the 
mountains,  would  be  carried  along  to  the  Connecticut.  But  as  the 
basin  enlarged,  the  water,  when  swollen  by  rains  and  melting  snows, 
would  spread  over  it,  and  becoming  more  calm,  would  deposit  the 
mud  and  sand  in  suspension.  Thus  the  new  formed  basin  would  be 
gradually  filling  up,  and  form  an  alluvial  meadow.  But  as  the  bed 
of  the  river  would  continue  to  sink,  ere  long  the  waters  would  rar-ely 
rise  high  enough  to  overflow  the  meadows :  and  for  the  same  reason 
they  could  never  be  raised  by  alluvial  deposition  to  the  level  of  the 
plain  through  which  the  river  first  began  to  flow.  The  banks  of  the 
river  having  now  become  high,  the  waters  would  again  commence 
their  depredations  upon  them,  and  scoop  out  a  second  basin  from  the 
meadows  just  described.  At  length  all  these  meadows  would  be  car- 
ried away  by  the  stream,  except  occasional  patches,  which  would 
form  a  terrace  around  their  margin.  The  second  basin,  having  now 
become  large  enough  to  enable  the  overflowing  waters  to  "begin  to 
deposite  their  mud  and  sand,  a  second  meadow  would  be  formed, 
which  would  go  on  rising  and  the  river  sinking,  until  the  floods  could 
no  longer  spread  over  them  ;  when  a  third  basin  would  be  formed  ; 
and  so  on,  as  long  as  the  river  continued  to  excavate  its  bed. 

I  have  confined  this  illustration  to  the  basins  of  Westfield  and 
Deerfield  rivers,  in  order  to  render  it  more  intelligible.  But  it  can 
easily  be  applied  to  the  Connecticut,  or  any  other  river. 

Green  River. 

A  hundred  rods  south  of  the  village  of  Greenfield,  on  the  stage 
road  to  Deerfield,  Green  River,  a  tributary  of  the  Deerfield,  has  left 
indelible  traces  of  having  once  run  in  a  channel  40  or  50  feet  above 
its  present  bed.  At  that  elevation,  a  ledge  of  sandstone  rocks  bears 
the  marks  of  having  been  once  the  bed  of  the  stream,  as  distinctly 
as  if  it  had  run  there  but  yesterday.  The  wrater  here  formed  a  cata- 
ract, 20  or  30  feet  high ;  and  below  the  ledge,  a  chasm,  nearly  as 
wide  as  the  present  bed  of  the  river,  is  worn  in  the  rock  several  rods 
long,  which  communicates  with  the  present  channel.  The  ~pot  holes 
left  in  the  ledge  of  rock  are  some  of  them  6  or  7  feet  deep,  and  one 
18 


138  Scientific  Geology. 

or  two  feet  in  diameter.  The  hill  of  sand  and  clay,  which  now  rises  ab- 
ruptly on  the  west  side  of  the  present  stream,  probably  once  exten- 
ded as  far  east  as  this  cataract  and  chasm ;  and  here  was  a  ridge, 
which  threw  back  the  waters  of  the  stream  over  the  whole  of 
Greenfield  meadows,  4  or  5  miles  in  extent.  For  in  various  places 
along  these  meadows,  we  find  terraces ;  generally  two,  but  never 
more.  The  hill  of  sand  and  clay  at  this  gorge  was  probably  worn 
away  gradually ;  and  as  the  surface  of  the  sandstone  rapidly  slopes 
towards  the  west,  this  would  cause  the  bed  of  the  river  to  sink,  and 
the  terraces  to  be  formed.  In  this  way  the  bed  of  the  river  has 
changed  laterally  10  or  12  rods,  and  sunk  40  or  50  feet. 

Perhaps  the  following  sketch  may  assist  in  rendering  the  preced- 
ing statement  intelligible.  It  may  not  be  entirely  correct ;  but  it  ex- 
hibits the  principal  features  of  the  spot. 


a,  a,  former  bed  of  the  river. 

b,  b,  terraces :  these  are  in  the  upper  part  of  the  gorge,  and  not  in 
Greenfield  meadows. 

d,  d,  level  of  the   Connecticut  valley :    a  tertiary  hill   with   steep 
declivity. 

e,  e,  sandstone  ledge. 

g,  Meeting  House  in  Greenfield. 

s,  s,  stage  road  to  Deerfield. 

i,  i,  i,  successive  ridges  of  sandstone  more  elevated  than  d,  d. 

Beds  of  other  Rivers. 

Judging  only  by  the  eye,  I  think  we  may  safely  state  that  since  the 
Connecticut  and  its  tributaries  began  to  flow  through  the  great  valley 
that  has  been  described,  they  have  excavated  their  beds  nearly  100  feet. 
The  Connecticut  at  Northampton  is  still  more  than  100  feet  above 
tide  water  at  New  Haven.  At  Springfield  it  is  only  64  feet.  This 


Ice  Floods.  139 

will  give  a  descent  from  the  latter  place  to  the  ocean  of  only  a  foot 
per  mile,  and  considerably  less  if  we  subtract  the  height  of  Enfield 
Falls.  South  Hadley  Falls  make  the  principal  difference  between 
Springfield  and  Northampton.  Indeed,  the  medium  descent  of  this 
river  from  the  foot  of  Turner's  Falls  in  Gill,  is  probably  less  than  a 
foot  per  mile.  This  is  too  small  to  enable  the  waters  to  produce 
scarcely  a  perceptible  effect  in  lowering  their  bed,  for  centuries,  nay, 
not  enough  to  prevent  their  filling  it  up.  So  that  probably  the  process 
of  excavation  in  the  bed  of  that  river,  has  nearly  ceased. 

Ice  Floods. 

There  is,  however,  one  agent  of  excavation,  that  still  operates  to 
some  extent,  even  in  the  Connecticut ;  and  that  is,  ice  floods.  Still 
more  powerful  is  their  effect  upon  smaller  and  more  rapid  rivers. 
Whoever  has  not  witnessed  the  breaking  up  of  a  river  in  the  spring 
after  a  severe  winter,  when  its  whole  surface  has  been  covered  by  ice 
several  feet  thick,  has  but  a  faint  idea  of  the  prodigious  force  exerted 
at  such  a  time.  The  ice,  high  up  the  stream,  is  usually  first  broken 
in  pieces  by  the  swollen  waters.  Large  masses  are  thus  thrown  up 
edgewise,  and  forced  underneath  the  unbroken  sheet,  and  the  whole 
bed  of  the  stream  is  blocked  up ;  perhaps  too,  where  the  banks  are  high 
and  rocky.  The  water  accumulates  behind  the  obstruction  until  the 
resistance  is  overcome  ;  and  the  huge  mass  of  water  and  ice  urges  on 
its  way?  crushing  and  jamming  together  the  ice  which  it  meets, 
and  thus  gaining  new  strength  at  every  step.  Often  for  miles  the 
stream,  prodigiously  swollen,  is  literally  crammed  with  ice,  so  that  the 
water  disappears  ;  and  a  slowly  moving  column  of  ice  is  all  that  is 
seen.  This  presses  with  such  force  against  the  bottom  and  sides  of 
the  stream,  as  to  cause  the  earth  to  tremble,  like  heavy  thunder,  to 
the  distance  of  miles.  Sometimes  the  body  of  ice  becomes  so  large, 
and  the  friction  so  great,  that  the  waters  are  unable  to  keep  it  in  mo- 
tion; and  it  stops,  while  the  river  is  turned  out  of  its  channel,  and  is 
compelled  to  flow  in  a  new  bed  for  weeks  and  even  months. 

It  is  impossible  that  such  floods  should  noJ;  operate  powerfully  to 
modify  the  surface  in  alluvial  regions,  and  to  excavate  the  beds  of 
rivers.  I  am  confident  that  no  other  agent  in  the  mountain  torrents 
of  this  state  is  so  energetic.  One  has  only  to  examine  the  banks  and 
bed  of  a  river  after  the  ice  has  disappeared,  as  I  have  often  done  in 
Deorfield,  to  be  convinced  of  this.  But  I  apprehend  that  the  maxi- 
mum effect  is  seen  in  those  rocky  ravines,  through  which  such  rivers 


140  Scientific 

as  the  Deerfield  and  the  Westfield  pass,  in  the  primary  regions. 
Masses  of  rock  of  various  sizes,  even  10,  15,  or  20  feet  in  diameter, 
may  here  be  seen,  some  of  them  torn  up  from  their  beds  and  removed 
a  considerable  distance,  strewing  the  bottoms  of  the  streams,  and  at 
low  water  almost  covering  the  surface ;  and  others,  only  partially 
lifted  from  the  parent  rock,  and  waiting  for  another  convulsive  effort 
of  the  torrent  to  detach  them,  and  give  them  an  erratic  character. 
In  short,  one  sees  in  such  streams  a  cause  fully  adequate  to  the  pro- 
duction of  those  numerous  bowlder  stones  that  are  scattered  over  the 
country:  I  mean,  a  cause  sufficient  to  detach  and  round  them.  Prob- 
ably, however,  the  expansive  agency  of  water,  frozen  in  the  seams 
of  these  rocks,  contributes  not  a  little  to  lift  them  out  of  their  orig- 
inal beds. 

Valleys  of  Denudation. 

When  the  strata  of  rocks  on  the  opposite  sides  of  a  valley  coin- 
cide, the  conclusion  seems  inevitable  that  they  once  formed  a  contin- 
uous stratum,  and  that  the  valley  has  been  subsequently  excavated. 
The  appearance  in  such  cases  indicates  that  it  has  been  scooped  out 
by  running  waters ;  and  yet,  this  might  be  the  appearance  if  water 
had  only  modified  the  sides  and  bottom  of  a  fissure  produced  by  other 
causes.  And  in  some  cases,  at  least,  it  seems  necessary  to  call  in  the 
aid  of  other  causes. 

I  am  in  doubt  whether  there  is  more  than  one  valley  in  Massachu- 
setts that  is,  strictly  speaking,  a  valley  of  denudation.  And  that  is 
the  passage  between  Mount  Toby,  in  Sunderland,  and  Sugar  Loaf 
Mountain,  on  the  opposite  side  of  Connecticut  river.  I  have  already 
described  the  appearance,  and  given  a  drawing  of  Sugar  Loaf,  and 
the  geologist  will  at  once  perceive  it  to  be  a  remarkable  outlier,  rising 
about  500  feet  above  the  Connecticut,  composed  of  red  sandstone  j 
whose  strata  dip  to  the  .east  about  15°.  On  the  opposite  side  .of  the 
river  are  red  sandstone  strata,  dipping  in  the  same  direction.  Sugar 
Loaf  appears  as  if  it  had  been  modified  by  the  action  of  water,  even 
to  its  summit ;  and  so  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  I  have  al- 
ready shown,  in  the  second  part  of  my  Report,  that  Sunderland  cave 
may  be  accounted  for,  by  the  undermining  operation  of  water  upon 
the  softer  strata.  And  the  valley  of  the  Connecticut  above  this  point 
exhibits  none  of  those  proofs  that  the  river  could  not  have  excavated 
it,  which  exists  as  to  the  valley  in  general,  and  which  I  have  already 


Diluvium.  141 

detailed.     This  subject,  however,  I  shall  examine  more  particularly 
farther  on. 

"Valleys  in  other  parts  of  the  State. 

The  remarkable  and  interesting-  valleys  in  Berkshire  county,  de- 
serve long  and  careful  study.  After  having  passed  across  them  and 
through  them  several  times,  my  decided  conviction  is,  that  for  the 
most  part,  they  are  primary  valleys  which  have  been  more  or  less 
modified  by  deluges  and  other  abrading  agencies.  The  valleys  in 
Worcester  county  seem  to  me  to  have  had  a  similar  origin ;  and  I 
may  add  also  the  valley  of  the  Merrimack.  I  mean  that  the  original 
elevation  of  the  strata  gave  to  these  valleys  their  great  outlines.  And 
the  general  parallelism  of  most  of  these  valleys,  agreeing  also  with 
that  of  the  Connecticut,  seems  to  indicate  that  nearly  all  the  great 
valleys  of  Massachusetts  were  produced  at  the  same  epoch.  But  I 
hope  to  render  this  subject  more  intelligible  when  I  come  to  treat  of 
the  systems  of  elevation  that  are  found  in  our  strata. 

If  it  should  seem  that  I  have  been  very  prolix  in  discussing  the 
subject  of  Alluvium,  I  beg  it  may  be  recollected  that  it  is  one  which 
excites  at  present  an  absorbing  interest  among  geologists  ;  and  that 
scarcely  no  efforts  have  been  made  in  this  country  to  exhibit  the  dy- 
namics of  causes  now  in  action.  I  hope  this  fact  will  afford  me  an 
apology  for  the  imperfection  of  this  effort. 

2.    DILUVIUM. 

Under  this  term  I  include  that  coating  of  gravel,  bowlders,  sand, 
and  loam,  which  is  spread  over  almost  every  part  of  the  surface,  and 
which  has  been  obviously  mingled  confusedly  together  by  powerful 
currents  of  water.  Hence  geologists  have  referred  it  to  the  agency 
of  a  general  deluge ;  and  since  it  occupies  the  highest  place  in  the 
rock  series,  except  alluvial  and  volcanic  rocks,  most  of  them  have  re- 
garded that  deluge  as  identical  with  the  one  described  in  the  Chris- 
tian Scriptures.  But  recently  some  respectable  geologists  maintain, 
that  existing  causes,  operating  as  they  now  do,  might,  in  the  course 
of  ages,  have  produced  all  the  phenomena  of  the  rock  formations. 
Hence  they  deny  the  existence  of  such  a  deposit  as  diluvium  ;  orr 
rather,  they  impute  it  to  rivers,  rains,  frost,  and  other  existing  agen- 
cies, and  include  it  under  alluvium.  Others,  however,  regard  dilu- 


142  Scientific  Geology. 

vium  as  the  result  of  various  agencies,  operating  at  different  periods ; 
among  which  are  the  floods  produced  by  the  elevation  of  the  rock 
strata  at  various  times.  But  they  do  not  admit  that  we  have  in  this 
diluvium  any  evidence  of  a  deluge  contemporaneous  with  that  de- 
scribed by  Moses. 

It  ought  to  be  remarked,  however,  that  these  geologists  do  not 
deny  the  occurrence  of  such  a  deluge  as  is  described  in  the  Bible. 
Some  of  them,  indeed,  are  clergymen  :  and  they  merely  say,  that 
geology  does  not  furnish  any  evidence  of  such  a  catastrophe,  although 
it  affords  no  evidence  to  the  contrary,  but  rather  a  presumption  in  its 
favor,  in  the  fact  so  abundantly  proved  by  the  records  of  geology  ? 
that  numerous  extensive,  if  not  universal  deluges,  have  occurred  since 
the  creation. 

That  a  transient  deluge,  like  that  described  in  the  Scriptures,  could 
have  produced,  and  brought  into  its  present  situation,  all  the  diluvium 
which  is  now  spread  over  the  surface  of  this  continent,  will  not,  it 
seems  to  me,  be  admitted  for  a  moment  by  any  impartial  observer. 
It  has  obviously  been  the  result  of  different  agencies,  and  of  different 
epochs ;  the  result  of  causes  sometimes  operating  feebly  and  slowly, 
and  at  other  times  violently  and  powerfully.  But  the  conclusion  to 
which  I  have  been  irresistibly  forced  by  an  examination  of  this  stra- 
tum in  Massachusetts,  is,  that  all  the  diluvium,  which  had  been  pre- 
viously accumulated  by  various  agencies,  has  been  modified  by  a  pow- 
erful deluge,  sweeping  from  the  north  and  northwest,  over  every  part 
of  the  State  ;  not  excepting  its  highest  mountains.  And  since  that 
deluge,  none  but  alluvial  agencies  have  been  operating  to  change  the 
surface.  I  shall  now  proceed  to  give  a  history  of  this  diluvium,  with 
the  reasons  that  prevent  me  from  assigning  its  present  modified  state 
to  any  other  cause  than  a  recent  deluge. 

The  most  extensive  diluvial  deposite  on  the  map,  is  in  Plymouth 
and  Barnstable  counties.  Indeed,  nearly  the  whole  of  those  counties 
(with  the  exception  of  the  north  part  of  the  former,)  might  have  been 
thus  colored  with  perfect  justice.  But  as  I  had  good  reason  to  be- 
leive  that  a  granite  ridge  occurs  where  it  is  marked,  concealed  by  a 
few  feet  of  diluvium  only,  I  thought  myself  justified  in  extending 
that  rock  on  the  map  nearly  to  the  extremity  of  Cape  Cod.  I  saw, 
however,  no  example  of  rocks  in  place  throughout  the  whole  extent 
of  the  Cape,  except  perhaps  a  single  fissured  rock,  which  has  been 
powerfully  acted  upon  by  water ;  and  which,  if  it  be  in  place,  is  only 


Diluvium.  143 

the  wreck  of  a  granite  ledge.  A  view  of  this  rock  will  be  given 
farther  on.  In  Plymouth  County,  except  at  its  northern  part,  the 
granite  rarely  appears,  and  but  seldom  forms  a  cliff  even  fifty  feet 
high.  Every  thing,  indeed,  is  buried  by  diluvium;  and,  as  the 
streams  are  few  and  small  there,  it  is  extremely  difficult  to  ascertain 
what  is  its  geology,  except  to  say  that  it  is  diluvial. 

The  diluvium  of  Plymouth  and  Barnstable  counties  consists  al- 
most entirely  of  white  sand,  some  pebbles,  and  a  very  large  number 
of  bowlders  of  primary  rocks.  These  bowlders  consist  chiefly  of 
granite,  sienite.  and  gneiss,  with  occasional  masses  of  gray  wacke 
conglomerate,  compact  feldspar,  and  porphyry.  They  all  correspond 
with  the  rocks  found  in  place  along  the  coast,  in  the  vicinity  of  Bos- 
ton, and  on  Cape  Ann  :  and  no  one,  it  seems  to  me,  can  see  the  marks 
of  degradation  along  that  coast,  who  will  not  be  convinced  that  a 
large  portion  of  the  pebbles  and  bowlders  of  Plymouth  and  Barnsta- 
ble counties,  must  have  come  from  thence.  Along  the  range  of  ele- 
vated, and  for  that  part  of  the  State,  even  mountainous  land,  which  is 
colored  as  granite  on  the  map,  the  bowlders  are  so  enormously  large, 
and  so  thick,  that  I  cannot  believe  they  have  been  ever  removed  far 
from  their  native  beds.  They  are  sometimes  from  10  to  20  and  even 
30  feet  in  diameter,  and  frequently  occupy  nearly  the  whole  surface  j 
so  that  one  can  hardly  persuade  himself,  when  he  examines  them 
from  a  little  distance,  that  they  are  not  genuine  ledges.  Indeed,  I 
have  repeatedly  been  deceived  by  their  appearance,  until  I  had  gone 
among  them,  and  ascertained  that  they  were  detached  bowlders.  On 
the  road  from  Sandwich  to  Falmouth  is  perhaps  as  striking  an  exhi- 
bition of  this  phenomenon  as  in  any  place,  unless  it  be  in  the  western 
part  of  Martha's  Vineyard,  in  Tisbury  and  Chilmark.  The  same 
appearance  is  striking,  also,  in  Brewster,  on  the  Cape  ;  and  I  doubt 
not  that  genuine  ledges  of  granite  may  be  found  in  those  places ;  al- 
though (with  the  exception  of  Brewster  perhaps,)  I  did  not  make  the 
discovery.  I  have  been  informed,  however,  that  rocks  in  situ,  do 
exist  in  Dennis.  But  I  have  been  so  often  deceived  in  this  matter  in 
that  region,  that  I  dare  not  state  any  thing  as  fact  concerning  it, 
which  I  have  not  carefully  examined  with  my  own  eyes.  At  any 
rate,  I  cannot  believe  that  bowlders  so  large  and  numerous  have  been 
removed  many  miles  ;  for  powerful  as  has  been  the  diluvial  current 
in  the  eastern  part  of  the  State,  I  have  seen  no  well  ascertained  in- 
stance where  whole  mountains  have  been  torn  up  and  transported,  as 


144  Scientific  Geology. 

they  must  have  been  in  this  case,  if  they  came  from  the  region  of 
Scituate  and  Cohasset,  40  or  50  miles ;  and  that  too,  through  a  re- 
gion of  sand.  And  although  much  of  the  granite  of  these  bowlders 
resembles  that  of  Cohasset  and  Scituate,  yet  I  doubt  whether  it  is 
identical  with  it.  Some  of  it  I  know  to  be  quite  different. 

The  sand,  which  is  the  predominent  ingredient  of  the  diluvium  in 
the  counties  above  named,  was  undoubtedly  derived  from  a  tertiary 
formation,  which  has  been  broken  up  by  diluvial  action.  Remnants  of 
this  formation  are  occasionally  seen  on  Cape  Cod  ;  and  in  Truro,  so 
lofty  and  distinct  are  the  cliffs  of  clay,  that  they  have  been  noted  on 
the  map.  Clay  is  found  in  other  places  on  the  Cape ;  but  not  in 
large  quantities,  and  generally  at  a  low  level.  On  Martha's  Vine- 
yard and  Nantucket,  this  formation  is  much  more  abundant  and  ob- 
vious along  the  coast ;  though  covered  for  the  most  part  in  the  inte- 
rior with  diluvium  several  feet  thick.  Very  likely  this  formation 
once  occupied  no  small  part  of  Massachusetts  Bay,  and  probably  also 
Buzzard's  Bay. 

In  almost  every  part  of  the  State  the  diluvium  is  piled  up  into  ele- 
vations whose  surfaces  exhibit  curves  of  every  description  ;  while  the 
correspondent  cavities  are  of  various  shapes.  These  convexities  and 
concavities  resemble  very  much  the  sandy  or  gravelly  bottom  of  ex- 
isting streams,  where  the  current  has  been  very  violent ;  except  that 
generally  those  in 'the  diluvium  are  on  a  vastly  larger  scale.  The 
sketch  below  may  aid  in  imparting  a  correct  idea  of  these  diluvial 
irregularities.  It  was  taken  in  the  southeast  part  of  Amherst,  and 
exhibits  several  elevations  from  10  to  20  feet  high,  composed  entirely 
of  gravel,  with  no  blocks  large  enough  to  be  called  bowlders. 


Diluvial  Elevations  and  Depressions  :  Amherst. 


Diluvium.  145 

In  Truro,  near  the  extremity  of  Cape  Cod,  the  magnitude  of  these  el- 
evations and  depressions  is  truly  astonishing.  One  finds  himself  in  a 
hilly  and  even  mountainous  country;  the  elevations  heing  often  from 
200  to  300  feet  high,  and  very  numerous  ;  and  yet  these  are  most  obvi- 
ously diluvial  hills  and  valleys;  that  is,  they  are  as  obviously  the  result 
of  currents  of  water,  as  those  inequalities  of  surface,  of  exactly  the  same 
shape,  which  we  find  in  the  dry  bed  of  a  river.  The  fact  is,  this  Cape, 
below  Orleans,  consists  almost  entirely  of  coarse  sand,  which  is  more 
easily  piled  up  and  scooped  out  than  gravel ;  and  this,  explains  the 
striking  features  of  the  diluvium  in  the  region  of  Truro,  which  is 
well  worth  a  journey  thither  to  examine.  But  one  has  only  to  look 
at  a  map  of  Massachusetts,  to  see  that  the  idea  of  these  effects  having 
resulted  from  the  action  of  any  existing  stream,  is  absurd ;  since  no 
current  of  water,  deserving" the  name  of  a  river,  can  exist  on  that 
part  of  the  Cape:  whereas  the  Missisippi,  or  St.  Lawrence,  pouring 
down  a  mountain  gorge  upon  a  sandy  plain,  would  be  scarcely  ade- 
quate to  produce  the  effects  here  witnessed.  And  as  to  this  being  the 
result  of  the  retiring  or  returning  wave,  when  the  strata  were  first 
elevated,  I  shall  take  occasion  to  show,  before  concluding  this  sec- 
tion, that  the  opinion  is  improbable. 

The  same  idea,  of  a  force  vastly  greater  than  any  now  in  action  in 
the  State,  having  been  exerted  in  the  production  of  our  diluvium, 
forces  itself  upon  the  attention  in  many  other  places  besides  Truro. 
All  the  eastern  part  of  the  State  presents  evidence  of  having  been 
swept  over  by  a  prodigiously  strong  current  of  water.  Nantucket, 
Dukes  County,  and  the  Elizabeth  Islands,  are  almost  entirely  covered 
with  a  vast  quantity  of  bowlders,  gravel,  and  sand,  most  of  which 
must  have  come  from  the  continent.  On  Nantucket,  bowlders  and 
gravel  are  rare  ;  only  four  or  five  large  blocks  occurring  on  the  'is- 
land ;  although  those  two  or  three  feet  in  diameter  are  not  unfre- 
quently  met  with  :  and  these,  consisting  of  granite,  gneiss,  and  quartz, 
were  obviously  transported  from  the  continent.  On  the  Vineyard, 
the  bowlders  are  very  numerous,  and  some  of  them  very  large ;  and 
although  some  of  them  unquestionably  preceded  from  the  mainland, 
yet  in  one  or  two  places,  as  in  Chilmark,  I  strongly  suspect  the^ exis- 
tence of  granite  ledges  a  few  feet  below  the  surface,  from  the  quan- 
tity and  size  of  the  bowlders  :  and  yet  one  often  sees  very  large 
blocks  in  the  diluvial  covering  of  the  clay  cliffs,  as  for  instance  at 
Gay  Head  ;  where  one  or  two  of  them  that  have  rolled  down  to  the 
base,  are  from  20  to  30  feet  in  diameter.  The  Elizabeth  Islands  are 
19 


146  Scientific  Geology. 

entirely  covered  by  a  thick  coat  of  diluvium  of  a  similar  character  ; 
and  so  is  the  whole  coast,  from  Cape  Cod  to  Rhode  Island,  except 
that  south  of  Rochester  there  is  much  less  of  sand ;  hut  the  quantity 
of  bowlders  is  prodigious  ;  so  that  one  often  travels  many  miles  with- 
out seeing  a  rock  in  place ;  although  the  surface  is  almost  entirely 
covered  by  rounded  masses  of  almost  every  size.  This  is  seen  on 
almost  any  road  from  New  Bedford  to  Rhode  Island. 

Passing  northerly  from  Buzzard's  Bay,  the  whole  country  east  of 
a  line  drawn  from  Providence  to  Boston,  except  the  summits  of  a  few 
of  the  highest  mountains,  and  some  alluvial  valleys,  is  covered  with 
diluvial  blocks  and  gravel.  But  from  Boston  to  the  extremity  of  Cape 
Ann,  embracing  a  considerable  proportion  of  Essex  County,  the 
amount  of  bowlders  is  prodigious ;  and  some  of  them  are  not  less 
than  30  or  40  feet  in  diameter ;  and  yet  so  powerful  was  the  diluvial 
current,  that  these  must  have  been  removed  from  their  original  posi- 
tion, and  many  of  them  now  occupy  the  summits  of  the  highest  hills 
in  that  region  ;  presenting  often  a  most  singular  outline  to  the  land- 
scape. When  one  of  these  erratic  blocks  is  so  poised  upon  a  rock  in 
place,  as  to  be  easily  moved,  it  constitutes  a  rocking  stone.  Some  of 
these,  weighing  from  10  to  100  tons,  can  be  perceptibly  moved  by  the 
strength  of  a  single  man,  applied  to  a  lever  ;  though  the  combined 
efforts  of  a  hundred  men  cannot  move  them  but  a  few  inches.  Of 
two  of  these  rocking  stones  I  have  taken  a  sketch,  on  account  of  their 
peculiar  appearance. 


Rocking1  Stone  in  Chelsea. 

The  preceding  sketch  represents  a  mass  of  porphyry,  10  or  12  feet 
in  diameter,  lying  on  a  ledge  of  the  same  kind  of  rock  in  the  north 
part  of  Chelsea,  near  the  tbll  gate,  on  the  Newburyport  turnpike.  The 
following  is  a  view  of  a  divided  block  of  gneiss,  which  is  nearly  10 
feet  high,  and  is  so  accurately  poised  upon  a  ledge  of  gneiss,  that  at 
a  little  distance  it  seems  as  if  it  could  easily  be  thrown  over  ;  but  this 


Bowlders  and  Rocking  Stones. 


147 


is  no  easy  matter.     It  occurs  in  the  west  part  of  Barre,  on  the  road 
to  Dana. 


Double  Rocking-  Stone  in  Barre. 

In  Brewster,  on  Cape  Cod,  is  an  enormous  mass  of  granite,  16 
feet  high,  and  160  in  circumference ;  of  which  a  drawing  is  annexed. 
This  is  split  into  6  or  7  pieces,  and  appears  as  if  it  had  been  subjected 
to  a  powerful  action  of  water,  or  3bme  other  agent,  in  former  times. . 
Its  size  forbids  the  supposition  that  it  has  been  removed  from  its  bed ; 
arid  probably  it  is  the  remains  of  a  ledge  which  diluvial  currents 
have  worn  away  or  buried.  The  sketch  was  taken  from'the  west. 


A  Rent  Rock  in  Brewster,  Cape  Cod. 

I  have  noticed  a  rocking  stone  near  the  center  of  Greenwich, 
weighing  30  or  40  tons,  which  might  be  moved  by  a  lever.  One  may 
be  seen  in  Chilmark,  on  Martha's  Vineyard.  In  the  7th  vol.  of  the 
Am.  Journal  of  Science,  is  a  drawing  and  description  of  one,  of  more 
than  46  tons  weight,  in  Roxbury ;  which  "  a  child  of  six  years  old 
can  easily  move  with  one  hand."  Mention  is  there  also  made  of  one 
on  the  Salem  turnpike;  of  three  in  the  vicinity  of  Providence,  one  in 
Foster,  one  in  Warwick,  R.  Island,  and  one  in  Framingham.  Gen. 
E.  Hoyt,  also,  describes  one  in  the  bed  of  Deerfield  river,  in  Zoar. 
Indeed,  they  can  doubtless  be  found  in  almost  any  part  of  New  Eng- 
land. 

But  Cape  Ann,  of  all  other  places  in  the  Commonwealth,  is  the 
theatre  of  bowlder  stones.  Over  a  great  part  of  the  Cape,  the  trees 


148  Scie?itific  Geology. 

and  shrubs  have  heen  cut  away  ;  and  in  many  places  of  great  extent, 
the  surface  is  literally  covered  by  these  rounded  and  erratic  blocks. 
"  Thus  must  the  world  have  appeared  to  Noah,  as  he  came  out  of  the 
ark,"  exclaimed  my  travelling  companion,  as  we  came  suddenly  in 
view  of  a  wide  landscape  near  Squam,  in  Gloucester,  studded  with 
bowlders.  The  view  is,  indeed,  a  most  singular  one ;  and  cannot 
fail  to  impress  every  reasoning  mind  with  the  conviction,  that  a  del- 
uge of  tremendous  power  must  have  rushed  over  this  cape.  Noth- 
ing but  a  substratum  of  unyielding  sienite  could  have  stood  before  its 
devastating  energy.  The  man  who  views  this  coast  and  that  of  Co- 
hasset  and  Scituate,  is  no  longer  at  a  loss  from  what  region  the  count- 
less blocks  of  granite  and  sienite,  scattered  over  the  southeast  part  of 
the  State,  preceded. 

As  we  proceed  westerly  from  the  coast  and  rise  upon  the  higher 
lands  of  Worcester  County,  the  quantity  of  diluvium  decreases; 
though  in  many  places  very  abundant.  In  general  the  higher  parts 
of  mountains  exhibit  less  of  diluvial  action  than  the  lower  regions. 
But  it  is  usually  at  an  intermediate  level,  and  neither  upon  the  high- 
est nor  in  the  lowest  places,  that  the  greatest  amount  of  diluvium  is 
accumulated.  On  steep  and  narrow  mountains,  we  could  not  expect 
that  much  of  this  stratum  would  be  detained,  even  if  we  admit  that 
water  could  accomplish  the  Sisyphean  labor  of  rolling  rounded  rock 
masses  up  steep  and  lofty  escarpments.  And  in  the  lowest  grounds, 
existing  streams  have  to  a  considerable  extent  removed  the  diluvium, 
and  in  some  instances  covered  it  up.  But  there  is  no  mountain  so 
lofty  in  Massachusetts  as  not  to  exhibit  marks  of  diluvial  action.  On 
Wachusett  and  Saddle  mountains,  indeed,  very  few  rounded  masses 
of  rock  from  a  distance  are  to  be  seen ;  though  their  own  surfaces 
have  been  acted  upon  by  a  diluvial  current,  as  I  shall  shortly  state 
more  definitely  in  speaking  of  another  part  of  this  subject.  On  the 
lower  and  less  precipitous  mountains  of  the  State,  however,  bowlders 
of  huge  size,  as  well  as  gravel  and  sand,  are  abundant. 

The  valley  of  Worcester  abounds  in  diluvium;  especially  in  the 
north  part  of  the  county.  Proceeding  towards  the  Merrimack, 
through  Sterling,  Lancaster,  and  Groton,  we  find  large  accumulations 
of  diluvial  gravel,  exhibiting  the  irregular  convexities  and  concavities 
already  described.  We  find  in  this  region,  however,  much  fewer 
large  bowlders  than  in  most  other  parts  of  the  State.  These  become 
more  numerous  as  we  follow  the  Merrimack  to  its  mouth.  Much  of 
the  diluvium,  however,  from  Worcester  to  Newburyport,  consists  of 


Diluvium.  149 

shingle. ;  by  which,  I  mean  partially  rounded  fragments  of  slate  ;  that 
being  the  predominant  rock. 

On  the  south  of  Worcester,  the  region  of  country  sloping  towards 
the  Blackstone,  especially  on  the  west  side  of  the  river,  exhibits  strik- 
ing traces  of  diluvial  agency.  In  some  places,  as  in  Uxbridge,  the 
bowlders  of  gneiss  are  large  and  numerous.  As  we  proceed  towards 
Providence,  this  stratum  becomes  thicker  ;  concealing,  indeed,  nearly 
all  the  rocks  in  place  ;  and  in  the  vicinity  of  Providence  a  large  pro- 
portion of  sand  is  mixed  with  the  gravel.  This  proceeds  from  the 
tertiary  formation  which  occurs  near  Providence,  as  well  as  in  the 
southeast  part  of  Massachusetts,  and  which  has  been  torn  up  in  many 
places  by  the  action  of  water.  The  sand  abounds  on  the  west  shore 
of  Narraganset  Bay,  nearly  the  whole  distance  to  Newport. 

The  valley  extending  south  from  Oxford  through  Webster  into 
Connecticut,  contains,  especially  on  its  slopes,  an  abundance  of  dilu- 
vium :  so  thick  a  coat,  indeed,  that  the  rocks  in  place  are  in  a  great 
measure  hid ;  and  hence  it  is  quite  difficult  to  ascertain  the  bounda- 
ries of  the  different  formations. 

Between  the  Worcester  and  Connecticut  valleys,  the  country  is 
mountainous ;  with  deep  and  interrupted  valleys,  whose  general  di- 
rection is  north  and  south.  In  some  of  these  valleys  the  gneiss  rock 
is  covered  for  miles  by  diluvium,  and  by  alluvium  of  disintegration. 
Indeed,  this  is  often  the  case,  in  the  more  elevated  parts  of  this  re- 
gion ;  though  the  diluvial  waters  seem  to  have  exerted  less  power 
here,  than  in  the  lower  land  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  State. 

The  level  part  of  the  basin  of  the  Connecticut,  exhibits  less  strik- 
ing marks  of  diluvial  action  than  the  smaller  elevations  on  the  margin 
of  this  tertiary  plain.  Some  might  even  doubt  whether  the  tertiary 
deposite  of  this  valley  is  not  postdiluvian.  But  I  think  that  upon  the 
whole,  marks  of  diluvial  action  are  too  strong  on  its  surface  to  be 
referred  to  the  currents  of  an  ancient  lake.  For  the  diluvial  coat  is 
several  feet  thick  in  almost  every  place.  We  could  not  expect  that  a 
general  deluge,  of  depth  sufficient  to  rise  above  our  highest  moun- 
tains, would  act  as  powerfully  upon  low  and  broad  plains,  as  in  the 
vicinity  of  mountain  defiles  and  gorges,  through  which  the  water 
must  have  rushed  with  great  power,  even  though  its  general  move- 
ment was  moderate.  And  this  view  accords  with  the  present  dispo- 
sition of  diluvium  in  Massachusetts.  In  Bernardston,  Franklin 
county,  for  instance,  which  lies  at  the  northern  extremity  of  the  Con- 
necticut valley,  we  find  a  large  amount  of  diluvium,  which  was  evi- 


150  Scientific  Geology. 

dently  washed  from  the  region  of  argillaceous  slate  lying  north, 
through  two  or  three  narrow  valleys,  running  north  and  south,  down 
which  the  current  must  have  rushed  with  great  force.  Accordingly 
we  here  find,  on  the  road  towards  Northfield,  a  mile  or  two  east  of 
Bernardston  center,  an  example  of  diluvial  elevations  and  depressions 
scarcely  equalled  in  the  State ;  exhibiting,  as  it  were,  the  very  gyra- 
tions of  the  mighty  torrent.  But  when  this  stream  spread  out  over 
the  broad  valley  of  the  Connecticut,  its  violence  and  strength  would 
greatly  diminish  ;  and  hence  this  diluvium  was  not  driven  very  far 
into  that  valley.  Yet  at  the  east  end  of  Mount  Holyoke,  where  it 
approaches  the  primary  .hills  in  Belchertown,  we  find  a  very  power- 
ful diluvial  agency  to  have  been  at  work,  in  consequence  of  the  rush 
of  waters  through  the  gorge  between  the  mountains,  and  also  through 
the  valleys  on  both  sides  of  Mount  Toby  and  among  Pelham  hills,to  the 
north.  So  that  in  the  southeast  part  of  Amherst,  and  indeed  through 
its  whole  eastern  part,  the  diluvial  sand  and  gravel  are  piled  up  and 
scooped  out  in  a  striking  manner.  And  in  general,  as  we  begin  to 
rise  from  the  tertiary  plain  of  the  Connecticut  basin,  we  find  a  greater 
accumulation  of  this  stratum  than  on  the  plain  itself,  or  high  up 
among  the  primitive  mountains. 

In  passing  over  the  mountainous  region  between  the  valleys  of  the 
Connecticut  and  Berkshire,  there  is  little  in  the  character  of  the  dilu- 
vium worthy  of  special  notice,  till  we  approach  the  summit  of  Hoosac 
mountain  ;  when  we  are  surprised  to  meet  with  an  immense  number 
of  bowlders,  which  have  been  forced  up  the  high  and  steep  western 
escarpment  of  that  mountain  from  the  valleys  of  Berkshire.  In  these 
valleys,  also,  we  find  bowlders  in  abundance,  which  have  been  driven 
over  the  Taconnic  range  from  the  State  of  New  York.  But  these 
facts  will  be  examined  more  particularly  farther  on. 

Along  the  western  base  of  the  Hoosac  range,  diluvium  is  accumu- 
lated in  large  quantities :  but  in  general,  this  formation  is  not  as  abun- 
dant to  the  west,  as  to  the  east  of  Connecticut  river. 

As  we  pass  from  the  Taconnic  range  to  the  Hudson,  we  find  vast 
accumulations  of  diluvium.  The  fragments  decrease  in  size  as  we  ap- 
proach the  river,  and  within  a  few  miles  of  it,  diluvial  elevations  and 
depressions,  composed  of  gravel  and  sand,  are  numerous  and  strik- 
ing. The  materials  seem  in  part  to  have  been  derived  from  a  terti- 
ary formation,  whose  lower  clay  beds  are  still  visible,  a  little  east 
of  Troy  and  Albany. 

In  Pownall,  Vt.  three  miles  north  of  Williams'  College,  is  an  un- 


Consolidated  Diluvium.  151 

ique  and  interesting  example  of  diluvium.  It  lies  on  the  eastern 
side  of  Hoosac  river,  against  a  hill  of  mica  slate  ;  and  rises,  at  least, 
100  feet.  It  consists  of  pebbles  of  quartz  and  micaceous  and  argil- 
laceous slates,  from  3  or  4  inches  diameter,  down  to  coarse  sand :  and 
a  part  of  the  mass  is  consolidated  into  conglomerate  and  sandstone. 
(Nos.25,  26,27,  and  28.)  The  cement  is  carbonate  of  lime  ;  which  hav- 
ing been  dissolved  in  water,  has  been  diffused  uniformly  through  the 
mass.  It  is  not  perceived  by  the  eye;  but  on  applying  acid,  a  brisk 
efferescence  ensues  ;  and  hence  I  infer  that  it  was  infiltrated  in  a  state 
of  solution.  And  although  I  could  perceive  but  few  fragments  of 
limestone  among  the  diluvium,  yet  as  the  whole  region  abounds  in 
this  rock,  it  is  hardly  possible  that  it  should  not  exist  there,  at  least,  in 
the  state  of  sand.  This  being  admitted,  the  consolidation  of  this 
stratum  is  easily  explained  by  causes  now  in  action ;  and  a  question 
might  be  raised,  whether  diluvium  consolidated  in  this  manner,  does 
not  in  fact  become  alluvium.  I  ought  to  add,  that  when  thus  forming 
solid  masses,  it  is  as  distinctly  stratified  as  are  most  of  our  secondary 
sandstones  and  conglomerates. 

How  common  may  be  consolidated  diluvium,  in  this  country,  I 
cannot  say.  But  I  believe  no  account  of  any  other  locality  has  been 
published.  In  Europe,  geologists  describe  a  similar  rock,  if  Bron- 
gniart's  Terrains  Clysmiens,  is  synonomous  with  diluvium :  for  he 
says  that  "  the  parts  of  the  rocks  of  that  class  are  sometimes  united 
by  a  base  or  cement  chemically  produced ;  that  is,  by  solution."* 
At  any  rate,  the  consolidated  shingle  bed,  described  by  Mr.  Mantell 
in  his  Geology  of  Sessex,  as  occurring  at  Brighton,  in  England, 
must  be  regarded  as  of  the  same  character  as  that  in  Pownall  above 
described. 

The  diluvial  deposites  in  Massachusetts,  whose  topography  I  have 
now  described,  were  probably  produced  originally,  by  all  the  abrad- 
ing and  disintegrating  agents  that  were  in  operation  on  the  surface  of 
the  globe,  between  the  time  when  the  solid  rocks  were  deposited,  and 
the  last  deluge.  These  agents,  so  far  as  we  know,  were  the  same  as 
are  now  operating  to  modify  the  earth's  surface  ;  and  have  been  des- 
cribed under  alluvium.  Hence  there  must  be  great  diversity  as  to 
the  times  when  the  different  portions  of  this  diluvium  were  produced. 
But  I  maintain  that  all  of  it  has  been  subject  to  the  modifying  influ- 
ence of,  at  least,  one  general  deluge  of  waters  in  more  recent  times. 

*  Tableau  dcs  Terrains,  p.  G6. 


152  Scientific  Geology. 

This  deluge,  as  I  have  already  stated,  swept  over  Massachusetts 
from  the  north  and  northwest.  The  proof  of  this  position  I  now 
proceed  to  exhibit. 

The  first  part  of  this  evidence  consists  in  tracing-  erratic  bowlders 
to  the  parent  rock  from  which  they  were  derived. 

When  I  began  an  examination  of  the  State,  I  traveled  east  and 
west ;  commencing  with  the  line  of  towns  bordering  upon  Con- 
necticut, and  returning  through  the  line  of  towns  next  north.  Thus 
essentially  have  I  gone  over  the  whole  State.  And  I  had  not  thus 
doubled  my  course  many  times,  before  I  found,  uniformly,  that  in 
order  to  trace  bowlders  to  their  original  beds,  I  must  travel  north  a 
greater  or  less  distance.  The  discovery  was  frequently  of  great  ser- 
vice to  me  ;  and  I  do  not  recollect  that  the  principle  ever  failed  me. 
I  have,  indeed,  sometimes  found  a  straggling  block  east  or  west,  and 
possibly  north  of  ledges  of  the  same  kind  of  rock ;  but  never  any 
thing  more  than  lonely  stragglers.  It  will  be  expected,  however, 
that  on  such  a  point  I  should  refer  to  particular  instances. 

I  have  already  remarked  that  granite  and  sienite  constitute  th  e 
great  mass  of  the  bowlders  scattered  over  the  southeast  part  of  the 
State ;  and  that  these  correspond  to  the  rocks  of  this  character  on  the 
coast  that  bounds  Boston  harbor.  But  similar  rocks  also  occur  in 
place,  occasionally,  in  the  region  where  the  bowlders  are  found ; 
and,  therefore,  we  cannot  be  sure  that  they  were  transported  from  a 
distance ;  although  in  many  cases  the  exact  correspondence  between 
the  specimens  would  leave  little  room  to  doubt  that  such  was  the 
fact.  But  scattered  among  these  primary  bowlders,  we  frequently 
find  others  of  porphyry,  compact  feldspar,  and  gray  wacke  conglom- 
erate ;  rocks,  which  (except  the  conglomerate,)  occur  only  within  a 
few  miles  of  Boston,  both  north  and  south.  I  have  found  masses  of 
porphyry  as  far  down  Cape  Cod  as  Orleans ;  and  near  the  southern 
extremity  of  Martha's  Vineyard,  the  pebbles  of  this  rock  are  quite 
numerous.  In  Tisbury  I  have  seen  a  mass  of  peculiar  blood-red, 
compact  feldspar,  which  occurs  in  place  in  Hingham :  which  would 
indicate  the  course  of  the  diluvial  current  to  be  a  few  degrees  east  of 
south.  The  porphyry  pebbles  merely  indicate  a  southern  direction 
to  the  current ;  since  the  occurrence  of  porphyry  at  Half  way  Rock, 
east  of  Marblehead,  shows  that  this  rock  might  formerly  have  ex- 
tended far  into  the  ocean.  Gray  wacke  conglomerate  occurs  in  the 
the  gray  wacke  formation  in  patches,  from  Rhode  Island  to  New- 
buryport ;  and  the  bowlders  of  it  above  spoken  of,  must,  therefore, 


Diluvium.  153 

have  been  transported  in  a  direction  a  little  south  of  east,  in  order  to 
reach  the  west  part  of  the  Vineyard,  where  I  found  them. 

We  shall  find  abundant  confirmation  of  this  opinion  in  respect  to 
the  last  named  rock,  if  we  pass  from  New  Bedford  to  Rhode  Island, 
either  close  along  the  coast  to  Little  Compton,  or  farther  north,  to 
Tiverton.  The  surface  is  covered  with  bowlders,  chiefly  of  granite 
and  gneiss.  But  occasionally  we  meet  with  masses  of  the  conglom- 
erate, whose  diameter  varies  from  one  to  twelve  or  fifteen  feet.  And 
by  inspecting  the  map,  we  shall  see  that  the  gray  wacke  formation, 
from  which  they  must  have  been  derived/ is  very  extensive  in  a  north 
and  north  west  direction.  Can  there  be  a  doubt  that  such  was  the 
origin  of  these  blocks  ?  If  it  was,  then  the  diluvial  current  must 
have  been  powerful  enough  to  move  masses  of  this  size,  in  some  in- 
stances, not  less  than  twenty  miles.  The  region  of  country  interven- 
ing, however,  is  not  very  uneven ;  and  in  estimating  the  power  of 
running  water  to  move  rocks,  we  ought  always  to  bear  in  mind,  that 
they  are  but  little  more  than  half  as  heavy  when  immersed  in  water 
as  in  air. 

Another  instructive  region,  in  respect  to  erratic  blocks  of  gray 
wacke  conglomerate,  lies  on  the  east  side  of  Taunton  river,  in  Free- 
town and  Troy.  Along  the  river  road  the  bowlders  of  this  rock 
greatly  predominate ;  and  yet  I  could  not  find  any  of  it  in  place :  but 
the  rock  there,  so  far  as  I  could  ascertain,  is  granite.  These  blocks, 
therefore,  must  have  been  transported  from  the  opposite  side  of  the 
river,  in  a  south  or  southeast  direction,  in  order  to  have  come  from 
a  gray  wacke  deposite. 

In  several  places,  as  may  be  seen  by  the  map,  the  tracts  of  gray 
wacke  are  bounded  on  the  north  by  primary  rocks  ;  chiefly  sienite, 
granite,  and  greenstone.  And  as  we  approach  these  primary  rocks, 
from  the  south,  even  when  eight  or  ten  miles  distant,  we  begin 
to  find  their  rounded  fragments ;  until  at  length,  and  that  often  at  the 
distance  of  two  or  three  miles  from  the  primary  ledges,  they  equal, 
or  exceed  in  number,  those  of  the  gray  wacke ;  rendering  it  often 
exceedingly  difficult  to  ascertain  the  boundaries  of  the  different  for- 
mations. But  on  the  other  hand,  no  bowlders  of  gray  wacke  are 
found  in  the  primary  regions,  lying  north  of  the  gray  wacke  in  place, 
except  those  very  rare  stragglers  already  alluded  to;  \vhose  situation 
can  be  explained  only  by  supposing  a  previous  deluge  in  a  different 
direction. 

I  think,  however,  that  no  geologist  can  examine  the  surface  of  the 

20 


154  Scientific  Geology. 

eastern  portion  of  Massachusetts,  without  having  the  enquiry  forced 
repeatedly  upon  his  attention,  whether  the  gray  wacke  formation, 
that  now  exists  only  in  interrupted  basins  from  Rhode  Island  to  New 
Hampshire,  was  not  once  continuous  throughout  this  whole  extent. 
The  direction  and  dip  of  its  strata,  as  well  as  its  mineralogical  charac- 
ters prove  it  to  have  heen  mostly  produced  at  the  same  geological  epoch; 
and  the  very  powerful  marks  of  degradation,  which  some  of  its  vari- 
eties exhibit,  especially  the  conglomerate,  favor  the  opinion  of  its  for- 
mer continuity.  And  yet  no  one  will  presume  to  impute  such  pow- 
erful abrasion  to  any  single  deluge. 

The  particular  towns,  where- we  find  the  most  striking  examples 
of  a  mixture  of  bowlders  of  granite,  sienite,  and  greenstone,  with 
those  of  gray  wacke,  which  is  the  rock  in  place,  are  Attleborough, 
Mansfield,  Norton,  Bridgewater,  Brighton,  Newton,  Needham,  and 
Watertown.  The  map  will  show,  that  a  few  miles  northerly  from 
these  towns,  are  deposites  of  granite,  sienite,  and  greenstone.  On 
the  other  hand,  in  Stoughton,  Randolph,  Dover,  Dedham,  Brain- 
tree,  &c.  we  find  graywacke  bowlders,  mixed  with  those  of  the  rocks 
in  place ;  and  these  were  obviously  derived  from  the  gray  wacke 
formations  lying  northerly  from  these  places. 

Perhaps  the  example  more  definite  and  decisive  than  any  other  on 
the  subject  under  consideration,  occurs  in  Rhode  Island.  In  Cum- 
berland a  large  hill  exists  of  magnetic  iron  ore ;  a  considerable  part 
of  which  contains  distinct  crystals  of  feldspar,  so  as  to  become  beau- 
tifully porphyritic.  A  rock  so  peculiar  cannot  be  confounded  with 
any  other.  Now  if  we  pass  along  the  north,  east,  and  west  sides 
of  this  bed  of  ore,  even  very  near  it,  no  scattered  fragments  of  it 
are  seen  among  the  bowlders.  But  on  the  south  side,  they  occur 
all  the  way  to  Providence,  decreasing  in  size.  Whether  they  may 
be  found  on  the  west  side  of  Narraganset  Bay,  south  of  Providence, 
I  cannot  say :  but  I  met  with  several  pieces  at  the  southern  extremity 
of  Rhode  Island,  in  Newport,  of  only  a  few  inches  in  diameter. 
These  must  have  traveled  nearly  35  miles  from  their  bed,  in  a  direc- 
tion a  few  degrees  east  of  south. 

In  several  places  in  the  south  east  part  of  Worcester  county,  I  met 
with  bowlders  of  a  variety  of  porphyritic  granite,  distinguished  from 
every  other  kind  in  the  State,  by  its  remarkably  large  imbedded  crys- 
tals of  white  feldspar.  But  it  was  not  till  I  came  to  Harvard,  that  I 
found  this  rock  in  place.  On  the  north  of  the  ledge,  I  never  met 
with  a  single  fragment.  In  Waltham,  however,  I  did  meet  with  one 

bowlder  of  this  rock. 

9  ..  -,   • . 


Diluvium.  155 

In  the  valley  of  the  Connecticut,  we  meet  with  abundant  traces  of 
a  diluvial  current  from  the  north.  Thus,  the  diluvium  which  covers 
the  red  sandstone  in  the  south  part  of  Bernadston,  and  the  north  part 
of  Gill  and  Greenfield,  is  composed  almost  entirely  of  detritus  from 
the  granite,  argillaceous  slate,  and  quartz  rock,  lying  a  few  miles 
north.  In  Amherst,  the  diluvial  pebbles  and  bowlders  are  granite, 
gneiss,  hornblende  slate,  and  red  sandstone  conglomerate ;  corres- 
ponding precisely  with  similar  rocks  in  place  in  Leverett  and  Sun- 
derland,  six  or  seven  miles  north.  But  probably  a  fluvialist  would 
regard  all  marks  of  this  kind  in  the  Connecticut  valley,  as  having 
resulted  from  the  action  of  the  river  when  its  barriers  were  yet  un- 
broken below  Northampton  and  Middletowri.  And  this  explanation 
would  probably  satisfy  the  mind,  were  it  not  for  the  evidence  already 
exhibited,  that  the  Connecticut  could  never  have  been  more  than  100 
or  200  feet  above  its  present  level :  an  elevation  not  sufficient  to  pro- 
duce the  diluvium  that  has  been  described. 

Another  class  of  facts  is  still  more  inexplicable  on  the  fluviatile 
hypothesis.  On  the  east  side  of  the  greenstone  and  sandstone  range, 
which  passes  through  the  west  part  of  West  Springfield,  and  which 
rises  into  Mount  Tom  in  East  Hampton,  we  find  mixed  with  the 
bowlders  of  sandstone  and  greenstone,  many  others  of  a  peculiar 
sienitic  granite,  which  occurs  in  place,  on  the  west  side  of  the  range 
above  mentioned,  in  Northampton,  Hatfield,  and  Whately.  These 
must  have  been  driven  over  the  greenstone  ridge  by  a  northerly  cur- 
rent :  and  yet,  some  of  them  are  two  or  three  feet  in  diameter,  and 
the  ridge  is  several  hundred  feet  high.  As  we  go  northerly,  still 
continuing  on  the  east  side  of  the  greenstone,  the  number  and  size 
of  these  bowlders  increase.  We  find  them  even  upon  the  summit  of 
Mount  Tom  ;  though  as  we  ascend  this  precipitous  peak,  their  num- 
ber and  size  diminish ;  so  that  on  the  top,  I  never  saw  one  more 
than  six  or  eight  inches  in  diameter.  Now  this  mountain  rises 
nearly  a  thousand  feet  above  the  plain  which  lies  to  the  northwest ; 
and  on  that  side  it  presents  a  mural  face  several  hundred  feet  high. 
Yet  these  bowlders  must  somehow  have  been  forced  up  this  precipice ; 
since  the  bed  from  which  they  originated  lies  in  a  northerly  direc- 
tion from  the  mountain. 

On  the  banks  of  the  Westfield  or  Agawam  river,  in  the  west  part 
of  West  Springfield,  I  found  small  bowlders  of  quartz,  containing 
galena  and  blende.  Both  the  matrix  and  the  ores  correspond  exactly 
with  those  found  in  Southampton,  Williamsburgh,  and  Whately.  All 


156  Scientific  Geology. 

the  metallic  veins  in  those  towns  lie  in  a  northerly  direction  from  the 
spot  where  the  bowlders  were  found ;  and  there  can  be  little  doubt 
that  they  originated  thence. 

If  we  go  to  the  large  beds  of  serpentine  in  Middlefield  and  Blan- 
ford,  we  shall  find  bowlders  of  this  rock  on  no  side  of  them  but  the 
south.  On  that  side,  they  are  very  numerous  at  first ;  and  continue 
to  decrease  in  number  and  size  as  we  recede  from  the  bed.  I  no- 
ticed this  fact  most  strikingly  around  the  most  northern  bed  of  ser- 
pentine in  Blanford.  In  some  instances,  however,  as  in  the  serpen- 
tine bed  in  Westfield,  fluviatile  action  may  have  removed  the  bowl- 
ders in  a  different  direction.  The  Westfield  river,  in  that  instance, 
runs  easterly  and  crosses  the  serpentine  ;  and  of  course  has  carried 
bowlders  of  it  in  that  direction. 

As  we  ascend  the  broad  and  lofty  mountain  range,  west  of  Con- 
necticut river,  we  meet  occasionally  with  rounded  fragments  of  well 
characterised  granular  quartz  ;  and  their  number  and  size  increase 
till  we  reach  the  western  base  of  Hoosac  Mountain.  But  in  vain 
shall  we  search  for  this  rock  in  place  till  we  have  begun  to  descend 
Hoosac  Mountain.  Along  its  western  base  are  extensive  ledges  of 
this  rock,  across  the  whole  extent  of  Massachusetts,  and  extending 
far  into  Vermont.  And  in  going  westward,  the  bowlders  increase 
in  number  and  size  till  we  reach  the  rock  in  place.  These  facts  lead 
to  the  conclusion,  that  the  diluvial  current  in  this  part  of  the  State, 
came  from  a  direction  nearly  northwest.  This  opinion  is  confirmed  by 
finding  numerous  bowlders  in  the  valley  of  Berkshire,  of  gray  wacke ; 
an  extensive  formation  of  which,  reaching  nearly  to  Hudson  .river, 
commences  a  few  miles  beyond  the  western  boundary  of  the  State. 
Some  fragments  of  this  rock  were  found  by.  Dr.  Emmons  in  Chester, 
on  the  eastern  slope  of  Hoosac  mountain ;  establishing  the  same  con- 
clusion. The  force  of  this  current  must  have  been  very  great,  if  it 
took  place  since  the  surface  of  Berkshire  county  assumed  its  present 
inequalities.  For  bowlders  of  several  tons  weight,  are  found  lodged 
at  various  elevations,  on  the  steep  western  escarpment  of  Hoosac 
mountain ;  and  as  already  remarked,  these  bowlders,  in  large  num- 
bers, have  been  actually  carried  over  the  top  of  the  mountain,  and 
driven  south  easterly  from  10  to  20  miles.  I  even  found  a  fragment 
of  quartz  breccia,  a  foot  in  diameter,  in  East  Hampton,  in  the  A^lley 
of  the  Connecticut.  It  was  of  so  peculiar  a  character,  that  its  parent 
rock,  on  the  west  side  of  the  Hoosac,  could  not  be  mistaken.  To 
suppose  that  these  quartz  bowlders  were  forced-  by  a  current  of  water 


Diluvium.  157 

up  the  steep  side  of  this  mountain,  from  1000  to  1500  feet,  if  that 
current  was  at  right  angles  to  the  direction  of  the  mountain,  is  ab- 
surd. Yet  as  the  direction  of  the  current  was  very  oblique  to  the 
direction  of  the  mountain,  it  is  possible  that  there  might  have  been 
power  enough  in  it  for  the  work.  And  it  ought  also  to  be  stated  that 
the  quartz  rock  in  Clarksburg  seems  to  be  a  spur  from  the  Hoosac 
range  and  rises  to  an  almost  equal  elevation,  although  a  valley  of 
considerable  depth  intervenes.  In  the  east  part  of  Cheshire,  also, 
the  quartz  rock  exists  in  situ,  at  a  high  elevation ;  especially  a  vari- 
ety that  is  interstratified  with  gneiss.  And  no  deep  valley  intervenes 
between  its  locality  and  the  top  of  the  Hoosac  range.  The  situation 
of  several  valleys,  also,  along  the  western  slope  of  this  mountain,  is 
very  favorable  for  enabling  a  northwesterly  current  of  waters  to  drive 
bowlders  up  the  declivity. 

The  gray  wacke  bowlders  which  are  scattered  over  the  valleys  and 
hills  of  Berkshire,  and  which  are  sometimes  of  several  tons  weight, 
must  have  beeq  forced  over  the  Taconnic  range  of  mountains.  But 
the  western  slope  of  this  range  is  not  generally  as  steep  as  that  of  the 
Hoosac ;  and  in  several  places  transverse  valleys  occur ;  or  rather 
depressions  of  the  summit :  as  for  instance,  the  ravines  through 
which  the  principal  east  and  west  road  passes  in  Hancock,  and  be- 
tween Canaan  and  West  Stockbridge.  Still,  a  prodigious  force  must 
have  been  exerted  by  the  waters  in  carrying  over  this  ridge  such  an 
abundance  of  coarse  detritus. 

Indeed,  some  may  suppose  it  necessary  to  refer  this  diluvial  action 
to  a  period  preceding  the  elevation  of  the  strata  :  for  to  suppose  it 
produced  by  that  elevation,  will  not  relieve  the  difficulty;  since  the 
wave  produced  by  the  rise  of  the  strata,  would  not  act  till  Hoosac 
mountain  was  actually  thrown  up  ;  and  besides,  that  wave  must  have 
flowed  from  the  west  to  the  east ;  whereas  the  current  that  moved 
thesfc  bowlders  must  have  come  from  a  direction  not  far  from  north- 
west ;  as  appears  from  the  diluvial  grooves  and  scratches  on  the 
rocks,  which  I  am  about  to  describe.  But  if  these  bowlders  were 
removed  by  currents  previous  to  the  elevation  of  the  strata  ;  that  is, 
while  they  were  yet  in  the  bottom  of  the  ocean,  how  does  it  happen 
that  the  blocks  are  accumulated  along  the  western  base  of  the  Hoosac, 
and  along  its  steep  face,  just  as  they  would  have  been,  if  they  had 
met  with  that  mountain  to  obstruct  their  progress. 

Wherever  we  find  valleys  passing  obliquely  up  the  face  of  this 
mountain,  especially  those  running  in  a  southeasterly  direction,  we 


158  Scientific  Geology. 

find  them  abounding  with  the  peculiar  quartz  bowlders  that  have 
been  described,  just  as  would  be  the  case  if  these  had  been  driven  up 
said  valleys  by  water  after  their  excavation.  Had  the  bowlders  been 
spread  over  the  surface  before  the  existence  of  the  valleys,  why  should 
they  be  so  much  more  numerous  in  those  valleys,  than  upon  the  hills  ? 
Alluvial  agents  would,  indeed,  tend  to  accumulate  them  in  valleys; 
yet  by  no  means  to  the  extent  to  which  we  now  find  them,  especially 
in  broad  valleys. 

Upon  the  whole,  I  have  no  hypothesis  on  this  subject  to  propose, 
more  free  from  difficulties,  than  that  which  imputes  the  removal  of 
these  quartz  and  gray  wacke  bowlders,  in  a  southeasterly  direction, 
to  the  same  debacle  of  waters,  which,  in  other  parts  of  the  state,  has 
swept  the  detritus  southerly.  What  local  cause  should  have  deflected 
the  current  towards  the  east,  in  the  western  part  of  the  State,  and  in 
the  eastern  part  of  New  York,  I  can  hardly  conceive :  though,  as  I 
shall  shortly  endeavor  to  show,  there  was  considerable  irregularity 
in  its  direction  in  that  region ;  enough,  perhaps,  to  lead  to  the  suspi- 
cion, that  the  deep  valleys  and  ravines,  through  which  the  waters 
must  have  rushed,  might  have  considerably  modified  their  course. 
But  I  think  that  the  change  of  a  few  degrees  in  the  direction  of  the 
current,  is  not  so  great  an  objection  to  this  hypothesis,  as  the  Sisy- 
phean task,  which  must  have  been  accomplished,  if  it  be  true,  of  urg- 
ing upwards,  over  so  long  and  steep  inclined  planes,  bowlders  so 
large  and  so  numerous.  Making  every  allowance  for  the  reduction 
of  the  gravity  of  these  bowlders  when  in  water,  I  confess  I  cannot 
conceive  how  such  a  work  could  have  been  effected  by  this  agency. 
Yet  neither  can  I  conceive  how  those  diluvial  elevations  and  depress- 
ions, that  have  been  described  in  various  parts  of  the  State,  could  have 
been  produced  by  a  deluge.  For  they  are  on  so  large  a  scale,  as  to 
transcend  by  far,  the  maximum  effect,  which  I  can  conceive  to  be  pro- 
duced by  a  flood  of  waters.  Still  it  is  undeniable  that  these  did  re- 
sult from  such  an  agency.  Hence  I  may  underrate  the  power  of  that 
same  agency  in  the  removal  of  detritus. 

I  acknowledge,  however,  that  I  should  be  inclined  to  refer  the  dilu- 
vial phenomena  in  the  western  part  of  the  State,  to  a  different  and  an 
earlier  deluge  than  the  last  —  perhaps  to  the  retiring  waves  when 
the  strata  were  first  elevated  —  did  not  facts  forbid  it.  I  have  men- 
tioned some  of  these,  and  shall  soon  mention  another  still  more  con- 
clusive. 

In  stating  the  facts  relating  to  the  bowlders  of  sienite  on  Mount 


Diluvium.  1 59 

Tom,  I  have  shown  that  the  difficulty  of  accounting  for  their  situa- 
tion, is  not  confined  to  the  west  part  of  the  State.  Another  case  still 
more  remarkable,  exists  on  Mount  Toby ;  although  not  embracing  so 
wide  an  extent  of  country.  To  the  height  of  several  hundred  feet, 
the  eastern  side  of  that  mountain  is  very  steep ;  forming,  indeed,  in 
some  places,  a  mere  precipice,  very  difficult  to  scale.  A  narrow  val- 
ley separates  this  side  of  the  mountain  from  the  extensive  gneiss 
range  lying  east,  and  rising  gradually  into  mountain  ranges,  nearly 
as  high  as  Toby.  Now  on  this  steep  eastern  escarpment  of  Toby, 
even  to  its  summit,  we  find  scattered  bowlders  of  gneiss,  of  precisely 
the  characters  of  the  gneiss  in  the  north  part  of  Leverett  and  in  Mon- 
tague. True,  the  gneiss  range  extends  so  far  to  the  west  in  Monta- 
gue, that  a  current  of  water  from  the  north,  or  from  a  few  degrees 
east  of  north,  would  carry  detritus  towards  the  eastern  slope  of  Toby. 
But  how  is  it  possible  that  any  aqueous  agency  could  have  driven  it 
up  so  steep  a  declivity  ?  There  are  three  remarks  that  may  afford 
the  mind  a  little  relief,  perhaps,  in  this  difficulty.  One  is,  that  on  the 
northeast  side  of  Toby,  are  several  ravines,  running  northeasterly, 
with  brooks  at  their  bottom ;  and  these  might  have  once  presented 
slopes  less  difficult  of  ascent,  than  at  present.  Another  is,  that  the 
conglomerate  rock  of  Toby,  may  have  been  much  worn  away  by 
alluvial  agents  since  the  removal  of  these  bowlders,  and  consequently 
the  eastern  slope  of  the  mountain  may  have  been  formerly  much  less 
precipitous.  Indeed,  the  great  quantity  of  huge  rocky  masses  that 
lie  along  the  base,  renders  such  a  supposition  probable.  Finally, 
these  bowlders  may  have  been  removed  to  their  present  situation  ere 
the  valley  on  the  east  side  of  the  mountain  existed,  and  before  the 
elevation  of  the  strata  into  their  present  situation.  For  I  know  of 
no  circumstances  in  the  region,  that  are  opposed  to  such  a  suppo- 
sition. 

Mixed  with  the  granite  bowlders  on  the  eastern  slope  of  Hoosac 
mountain,  are  masses  of  a  peculiar  kind  of  granite,  distinguished  by 
its  unusual  tendency  to  disintegration.  The  parent  rock,  from  which 
it  was  derived,  I  have  never  yet  discovered ;  but  predict  that  it  will 
be  found  along  the  western  side  of  Hoosac  mountain,  in  Clarksburg, 
or  farther  north. 

The  second  argument  that  shows  the  direction  of  the  last  diluvial 
current  in  Massachusetts  to  have  been  towards  the  south  and  south- 
east, is  based  upon  the  existence  of  grooves,  furrows,  and  scratches, 
upon  the  surfaces  of  the  rocks,  that  have  never  been  moved  from 


160  Scientific  Geology. 

their  place.  The  water  worn  appearance  of  those  rocks,  in  every 
part  of  the  State,  which  are  undergoing  no  disintegration  at  their 
surface,  must,  it  would  seem,  arrest  the  attention  of  a  very  careless 
observer  :  although  I  have  been  surprised  to  meet  with  so  few  men 
who  have  noticed  the  fact.  In  some  cases,  however,  the  rocks  are 
not  merely  smoothed,  but  are  grooved  and  furrowed,  as  if  heavy  and 
irregular  bodies  had  been  dragged  over  their  surfaces.  The  follow- 
ing sketch  exhibits  a  rock  of  this  description  near  the  turnpike,  from 
Boston  to  Chelmsford,  near  the  line  between  Bedford  and  Billerica, 
and  not  far  from  the  sixteenth  mile  stone  from  Boston.  The  rock  is 
intermediate  between  gneiss  and  mica  slate.  Its  strata  seams  run  in 
the  direction  a,  a  ;  and  the  grooves  and  scratches  in  the  direction  b,  b. 


Diluvial  Grooves  in  Gneiss  :  Billerica. 

The  direction  of  these  grooves  is  nearly  north  and  south  ;  and  this 
is  their  general  course  in  every  part  of  the  State,  east  of  Hoosac 
mountain.  Commonly,  however,  they  run  a  few  degrees  east  of 
south,  and  west  of  north.  I  shall  first  mention  several  localities 
where  these  furrows  correspond  in  direction  to  this  description,  and 
then  notice  a  few  in  the  west  part  of  the  State. 

One  hundred  rods  east  of  the  village  on  Fall  River,  in  Troy,  are 
grooves  and  scratches  on  granite.  Some  of  the  bowlders  lying  on 
the  surface  here  will  weigh  from  50  to  100  tons. 

Similar  grooves  occur  on  a  road  leading  from  the  south  part  of 
Scituate  to  Hanover  four  corners.  The  rock  is  granite. 

Also  in  Abington,  Randolph,  Canton,  Sharon,  Dedham,  and  Do- 
ver ;  on  granite  and  sienite ;  very  common. 

Also  on  the  conglomerate  in  Dorchester. 

In  passing  from  Worcester  to  Berlin,  through  Boylston,  the  like 
appearances  present  themselves  frequently  on  the  surface  of  the  gneiss 
and  mica  slate. 


Diluvium.  161 

Likewise  in  several  places  between  Andover  and  Boston,  on  gran- 
ite and  sienite. 

The  high  hill  of  gneiss  in  the  center  of  Rutland,  exhibits  the 
same. 

On  the  top  of  Wachusett  mountain,  3000  feet  above  the  ocean,  a 
few  rods  northwest  from  the  prospect  house,  these  furrows  may  be 
seen ;  though  less  distinct  than  in  many  other  places.  The  rock  gen- 
erally on  that  side  of  the  mountain,  appears  distinctly  water-worn. 

In  Westford,  one  mile  north  of  the  meeting  house,  on  the  road  to 
Dun  stable,  is  a  fine  example,  on  mica  slate. 

In  Marblehead,  on  sienite,  15  rods  southeast  of  the  residence  of 
the  Hon.  William  Reed,  near  a  meeting  house,  are  quite  distinct 
furrows. 

They  appear  on  gneiss,  near  the  meeting  house  in  Petersham, 
though  not  very  distinct. 

At  the  north  end  of  Federal  Street,  in  Greenfield,  and  also  half  a 
mile  northeast  of  the  Episcopal  church,  on  the  road  to  Gill,  these 
grooves  are  very  distinct,  on  red  sandstone. 

In  the  southeast  part  of  Deerfield,  near  the  banks  of  Connecticut 
river,  about  two  miles  north  of  Sunderland  bridge,  they  occur  on  trap 
rock.  Also  very  distinct  and  numerous  in  the  north  part  of  Sunder- 
land, from  200  to  400  feet  above  the  river,  on  sandstone  and  green- 
stone. Other  cases  in  the  Connecticut  valley  might  be  mentioned ; 
but  as  they  might  reasonably  be  imputed  to  fluviatile  action,  if  there 
were  no  other  similar  cases  on  higher  ground,  I  shall  omit  them. 
Indeed,  I  am  in  this  case  inclined  to  believe  them  of  fluviatile  ori- 
gin: except  perhaps  where,  as  in  Gill,  we  find  grooves  on  the  tops  of 
the  highest  hills. 

Between  Whitingham  and  Wilmington,  Vt.  are  numerous  cases 
on  gneiss  and  mica  slate. 

A  very  fine  example  occurs  on  the  lofty  hills  in  the  north  part  of 
Rowe.  This  hill  rivals  even  Hoosac  mountain  in  elevation.  Near 
Rowe  meeting  house,  is  another  example.  Fifty  rods  south  of  the 
meeting  house  in  Heath — a  point  higher  than  the  center  of  Rowe 
—  are  several  other,  though  no  very  striking  examples. 

In  Blanford  is  one  of  the  most  striking  examples  of  diluvial  grooves 
in  the  State.  The  hill  half  a  mile  north  of  the  congregational  meet- 
ing house,  where  it  occurs,  is  very  high ;  overlooking  all  the  sur- 
rounding mountainous  country. 

A  similar  example  may  be  seen  near  the  meeting  house  in  Norfolk, 
21 


162  Scientific  Geology. 

Ct.  Also  on  Canaan  mountain,  4  or  5  miles  south  of  Massachusetts 
line. 

On  the  conglomerate  in  the  southeast  part  of  Newport,  R.  Island, 
may  be  seen  diluvial  scratches,  running  from  10  to  20  degrees  west 
of  north  and  east  of  south. 

From  what  has  been  said  concerning  the  distribution  of  bowlders 
as  we  approach  the  western  part  of  the  State,  we  should  expect  that 
these  furrows  would  there  have  a  direction  nearly  northwest  and 
southeast.  Accordingly,  near  the  turnpike  from  Greenfield  to  Wil- 
liamstown,  on  the  top  of  Hoosac  mountain,  which  is  about  2400  feet 
above  the  sea,  we  find  grooves  on  the  mica  slate,  running  W.  20°  N. 
This  is  near  the  eastern  margin  of  the  mountain.  They  occur,  also, 
near  the  western  margin ;  having  nearly  the  same  direction.  In 
the  northwest  part  of  Windsor,  just  where  the  Hoosac  mountain  be- 
gins to  slope  westerly,  I  found  grooves  running  nearly  north  and 
south.  But  for  3  or  4  miles  easterly  from  the  meeting  house  are  nu- 
merous distinct  cases  where  the  course  is  almost  exactly  northwest 
and  southeast. 

In  the  west  part  of  Worthington,  which  is  several  miles  east  of  the 
top  of  the  mountain,  these  grooves  run  W.  30°  N.  But  in  Middle- 
field,  where  they  abound  near  the  meeting  house,  and  the  residence 
of  Gen.  Mack,  they  run  much  nearer  north  and  south.  On  that  part 
of  Saddle  Mountain,  called  Bald  Mountain,  also,  are  faint  scratches, 
very  difficult  to  examine  on  account  of  their  coinciding  so  nearly 
with  the  direction  of  the  layers  of  the  rock.  But  they  run  not  far 
from  north  and  south.  Gray  Lock,  which  is  several  hundred  feet 
higher  than  Bald  Mountain,  is  so  covered  with  vegetable  mould,  that 
I  had  no  opportunity  to  discover  diluvial  furrows,  if  they  exist  there. 

In  passing  from  Albany,  N.  Y.  to  West  Stockbridge,  Massachu- 
setts, through  Greenbush,  Schoodack,  Nassau,  and  Chatham,  I  met 
with  several  examples  of  diluvial  grooves  upon  the  surface  of  the 
gray  wacke ;  particularly  in  Schoodack  and  Nassau.  Their  direction 
was  almost  uniformly  N.W.  and  S.E. ;  though  sometimes  approach- 
ing a  few  degrees  nearer  to  north  and  south.  The  surface  of  this 
rock  in  general,  especially  of  the  slaty  varieties,  is  too  liable  to  de- 
composition to  retain  for  centuries  the  marks  of  former  abrasions ; 
and  I  was  rather  surprised  to  meet  with  any  instances.  Yet  I  am 
satisfied  that  some  rocks  retain  these  marks,  although  their  surfaces 
have  suffered  disintegration  to  a  much  greater  depth  than  that  of  the 
grooves.  For  since  the  disintegration  takes  place  at  the  surface  only, 


Diluvium.  163 

the  grooves  and  correspondent  ridge's  may  remain,  although  layer 
after  layer  scales  off.  Yet  the  ridges  will  be  liable  to  suffer  rather 
the  most  from  atmospheric  .agents ;  and,  therefore,  in  some  rocks, 
they  will  probably  soon  disappear. 

It  may  be  well  in  this  place  to  suggest  a  caution  against  mistaking 
the  structure  of  the  rock  as  revealed  by  disintegration,  for  these  dilu- 
vial furrows.  Some  varieties  of  mica  slate  exhibit  a  surface  extremely 
resembling  one  mechanically  grooved.  But  in  that  rock,  the  direc- 
tion of  these  pseudo-grooves  always  corresponds  with  that  of  the  lay- 
ers of  the  rock ;  and  thus  the  deception  may  be  discovered.  But 
sienite  and  greenstone,  which  contain  segregated  veins,  sometimes 
present  cases  that  are  very  perplexing.  One  of  these  may  be  seen 
on  the  top  of  Mount  Tom,  a  few  rods  north  of  the  signal  staff,  erected 
for  the  Trigonometrical  Survey  of  the  State.  The  prevailing  direc- 
tion of  the  apparent  furrows  there,  is  nearly  north  and  south;  and 
did  they  not  run  east  and  west  within  a  rod  or  two  of  the  spot,  I 
should  have  put  down  this  as  a  genuine  case  of  diluvial  grooves. 
But  examination,  after  my  suspicions  were  excited  by  this  circum- 
stance, satisfied  me  that  it  is  only  the  internal  structure  of  the  rock, 
that  is  here  revealed  by  the  unequal  disintegration  of  the  surface. 

But  to  return  to  a  consideration  of  the  diluvial  grooves  in  the  wes- 
tern part  of  the  State :  I  think  it  obvious,  from  the  examples  that 
have  been  adduced,  that  the  general  direction  of  the  waters  there,  as 
well  as  in  the  eastern  part  of  New  York,  must  have  been  from  north- 
west to  southeast.  The  two  exceptions  mentioned,  I  think  may  be 
explained  by  their  local  situation,  in  consistency  with  this  supposi- 
tion. 

Now  these  furrows  on  Hoosac  mountain,  and  in  New  York,  are  as 
distinct  as  in  other  parts  of  Massachusetts  :  and,  therefore,  we  must 
consider  them  all  as  produced  at  the  same  epoch.  Had  there  been  any 
great  difference  in  the  time  of  their  production,  especially  had  one 
set  of  them  been  the  result  of  the  elevation  of  the  strata,  and  the 
other  of  the  last  deluge  —  events  that  form  almost  the  limits  of  geol- 
ogical changes  in  point  of  time  —  the  oldest  must  have  been  lost,  or 
become  obscure.  Whatever  difficulties  attend  the  supposition,  there- 
fore, I  think  we  must  regard  all  these  diluvial  grooves  in  the  State  as 
resulting  from  the  same  deluge. 

It  would  be  easy  to  multiply  examples  of  this  kind  of  diluvial  ac- 
tion. But  the  cases  that  have  been  described,  occurring  as  they  do 
in  every  part  of  the  State,  and  frequently  upon  its  highest  mountains, 


164  Scientific  Geology. 

seem  sufficient  to  lead  every  reasonable  man  to  the  conclusion,  that 
these  grooves  and  furrows  were  produced  by  the  large  bowlders, 
which  now  strew  the  surface,  and  exhibit  in  their  rounded  forms  and 
smooth  surfaces,  the  marks  of  powerful  abrasion.  And  since  we 
uniformly  find  $hese  bowlders  to  the  south  and  southeast  of  their 
parent  rock,  how  can  we  doubt  that  a  mighty  current  of  water  has 
sometime  or  other  swept  over  the  surface  from  the  north  and  north- 
west. It  seems  to  me,  that  in  regard  to  Massachusetts,  the  evidence 
of  such  a  deluge  is  complete;  and  it  is  difficult  to  see  how  it  could  be 
more  conclusive. 

It  is  maintained  by  those  geologists  who  account  for  all  geological 
changes  by  existing  causes,  acting  as  they  now  do,  that  most  of  the 
stratum  which  I  have  described  as  diluvium,  has  been  produced  and 
brought  into  its  present  state  by  the  action  of  existing  streams,  rains, 
frost,  and  other  agents  now  in  operation.  But  the  simple  fact  that 
the  current  must  have  had  a  southerly  direction  in  every  part  of  the 
State,  and  has  left  traces  of  its  action  on  our  highest  mountains,  ren- 
ders such  a  supposition,  it  seems  to  me,  altogether  untenable.  For 
how  could  rivers  have  risen  so  high ;  or  how,  unless  it  were  a  single 
river,  not  less  than  200  miles  wide,  could  the  waters'  have  produced 
such  effects  ?  The  same  difficulty  is  in  the  way  of  supposing,  as  do 
some  fluvialists,  that  the  land  was  once  much  lower  than  at  present, 
having  been  gradually  elevated  by  earthquakes.  Aflmit,  if  it  be 
wished,  that  the  surface  was  once  much  lower  than  its  present  level ; 
the  difficulty  will  still  be  to  find  a  current  200  miles  wide. 

Other  geologists,  who  perceive  the  utter  insufficiency  of  such  causes 
to  account  for  diluvium,  have  imputed  very  much  of  it,  and  also  dilu- 
vial grooves  and  furrows,  to  the  retiring  waters  of  the  ocean,  when 
first  the  solid  strata  were  ^elevated.  I  doubt  not  that  such  was  the 
origin  of  much  of  the  diluvium  that  now  covers  the  globe.  But  I 
think  it  quite  obvious  that  all  the  diluvium  in  Massachusetts,  which 
was  produced  by  this  and  other  causes,  has  been  modified  by  a  deluge 
long  subsequent  to  the  elevation  of  our  continent  from  the  ocean. 
For  by  examining  the  sections  of  our  rock  strata,  appended  to  this 
Report,  as  well  as  the  map  illustrative  of  the  course  of  the  same,  it 
will  be  seen  that  their  prevailing  dip  is  easterly,  and  their  general 
direction  north  and  south.  Hence  the  anticlinal  line  of  these  strata, 
must  be  sought  farther  west  than  Massachusetts  ;  and,  consequently, 
the  retiring  waters  must  have  rushed  from  the  west  at  that  epoch. 
But  the  actual  current  of  the  last  deluge  came  from  the  north  and 


Diluvium.  165 

northwest,  as  I  have  abundantly  shown ;  and,  therefore,  it  could  not 
have  resulted  from  the  elevation  of  the  strata. 

In  the  eastern  part  of  the  State,  however,  it  will  be  observed  that 
the  strata  of  the  gray  wacke  formation  run  generally  east  and  west. 
But  they  dip  northerly ;  and  hence  the  current  of  water,  which  their 
elevation  produced,  must  have  been  towards  the  north :  though  if  we 
suppose  it  to  have  been  southerly,  this  formation  is  too  limited  in  ex- 
tent to  account  for  diluvial  action  over  the  whole  State. 

But  there  is  another  circumstance,  showing  that  the  last  deluge, 
that  swept  over  this  State,  was  long  subsequent  to  the  elevation  of  the 
strata.  If  we  admit,  what  I  think  is  true,  that  the  tertiary  formation 
exhibited  on  the  map  along  Connecticut  river,  was  deposited  before 
the  last  deluge,  it  will  follow  that  the  elevation  of  the  strata  could  not 
have  been  the  cause  of  that  deluge.  For  the  strata  of  this  tertiary 
formation  are  horizontal ;  and,  therefore,  must  have  been  deposited 
after  the  elevation  of  the  strata  of  the  solid  rocks  beneath.  Other- 
wise the  strata  of  the  tertiary  formation  would  also  have  been  raised 
and  dislocated.  Hence  there  must  have  been  at  least  an  interval  long 
enough,  between  the  elevation  of  the  strata  and  the  last  deluge,  for 
the  deposition  of  this  tertiary  formation.  And  if  we  take  the  state- 
ment of  Dr.  Macculloch,*  in  respect  to  the  filling  up  of  the  lakes  of 
Scotland,  as  a  standard  of  comparison,  this  will  be  shown  to  have 
been  no  ephemeral  period.  He  states  that  these  lakes  "  shoal  "  at 
the  rate  of  half  a  foot  in  a  century  :  and  I  apprehend  that  the  tertiary 
formation  under  consideration  cannot  be  less  than  150  feet  in  depth. 
Nor  can  we  suppose  that  this  is  but  a  small  part  of  the  period  that 
actually  intervened  between  these  two  events;  which  may  be  regarded 
as  almost  the  first  and  the  last  of  the  geological  catastrophes  that  have 
happened  on  our  globe.  This  opinion  might  be  sustained  by  an  ap- 
peal to  facts  and  principles :  but  I  conceive  that  this  is  not  the  proper 
place  for  entering  into  such  discussions. 

I  may  seem  here,  however,  to  be  advancing  opinions  contradictory 
to  the  Mosaic  chronology  of  the  globe.  But  they  are  simply  opposed 
to  the  prevailing  interpretation  of  that  record.  If  we  only  suppose, 
what  many  of  the  ablest  theologians  and  philologists  maintain,  and 
what  geological  researches  imperiously  demand,  that  Moses,  after 
describing  in  the  first  verse  of  his  history,  the  original  creation  of  the 
universe  "  in  the  beginning,"  passes  over  in  silence  a  long  interven- 

*  Macculloch'a  System  of  Geology.     London  1831  —  Vol.  I.  p.  507. 


166  Scientific  Geology. 

ing  period,  before  he  gives  us  an  account  of  the  earth  in  its  present 
state,  and  of  the  creation  of  its  present  inhabitants,  all  apparent  col- 
lision between  geology  and  revelation  vanishes.  Such  an  opinion  I 
have  adopted,  not  merely  because  facts  in  geology  demand  it,  but  be- 
cause it  seems  equally  required  by  a  fair  interpretation  of  the  lan- 
guage of  Moses. 

But  to  return  from  this  digression  ;  it  seems  to  me  that  the  fair  re- 
sult of  all  the  facts  and  reasonings  which  I  have  presented  on  the 
subject  of  diluvial  action  is,  that  a  mighty  deluge  has  swept  from  the 
north ,and  northwest  over  every  part  of  Massachusetts;  and  that  it 
cannot  be  accounted  for  by  the  original  elevation  of  the  strata  of 
rocks  ;  nor  can  our  diluvial  phenomena  be  explained  by  the  agency 
of  rivers,  rains,  frosts,  or  any  other  agent  now  in.  action.  This  del- 
uge must,  then  have  occurred  since  the  earth's  surface  assumed  essen- 
tially its  present  form ;  and  was  the  last  of  those  catastrophes  to 
which  this  part  of  the  globe  has  been  subject ;  and  which  cannot  be 
referred  to  existing  agencies.  The  enquiry  naturally  arises,  whether 
this  deluge  was  identical  with  that  described  by  Moses.  I  have  al- 
ready remarked  that  this  question  can  have  no  very  great  interest  as 
bearing  upon  the  veracity  of  the  sacred  historian  ;  since  nearly  all 
geologists  agree  that  their  science  exhibits  no  evidence  against  the 
occurrence  of  such  a  deluge  as  he  has  described.  Yet,  as  it  is  a 
characteristic  of  human  nature  to  go  from  one  extreme  to  another, 
and  as  it  has  been  customary  to  impute  almost  every  geological 
change  to  the  deluge  of  Noah,  is  it  not  probable  that  philosophers, 
disgusted  with  so  much  false  reasoning  on  the  subject,  will  be  apt  to 
overlook  even  creditable  geological  evidence  of  that  event  ?  I  have 
shown,  if  I  mistake  not,  that  the  last  deluge  in  Massachusetts  was 
universal,  and  that  it  was  comparatively  recent.  The  deluge  of  Noah 
is  described  as  universal  over  the  globe  ;  and  historical  records  give 
us  no  account  of  one  more  recent.  Where  then  is  the  objection 
against  considering  them  as  identical  ?  Until  some  substantial  rea- 
son can  be  given  against  such  a  conclusion,  is  it  not  unphilosophical 
to  refuse  to  admit  it  ? 

I  have  thus  far  reasoned  exclusively  from  diluvial  action  in  Mas- 
sachusetts. But  there  is  evidence  that  the  last  deluge  rushed  from 
the  north  over  all  that  part  of  North  America,  between  Nova  Scotia 
and  Lake  Huron.  Dr.  Bigsby  has  stated  facts  in  the  sixth  volume 
of  the  Geological  Transactions,  and  the  Messrs.  Lapham,  more  re- 
cently, in  the  22d  volume  of  the  Am.  Jour,  of  Science,  proving  the 


Diluvium.  167 

truth  of  this  statement  in  respect  to  the  country  about  our  western 
lakes  ;  and  Messrs.  Jackson  and  Alger,  in  their  recent,  able  memoir 
on  the  Mineralogy  and  Geology  of  Nova  Scotia,  have  drawn  the 
same  inference  from  the  present  position  of  erratic  bowlders  in  that 
country.  Do  not  these  facts,  in  connection  with  those  stated  in  this 
report,  render  it  extremely  probable,  that  over  the  whole  breadth  of 
North  America,  the  current  came  from  the  north :  although  some- 
what deflected  in  some  places  by  local  causes  1 

Nor  is  this  all.  The  facts  that  have  been  observed  in  relation  to 
diluvial  action  in  England,  Scotland,  Ireland,  Sweden,  Germany, 
Russia,  and  the  northern  parts  of  Asia,  seem  to  justify  the  inference 
that  the  last  deluge  in  those  portions  of  the  globe,  came  from  the 
north ;  though  modified  in  its  course  by  local  causes.*  Hence  it 
would  seem  that  this  deluge,  in  all  the  northern  parts  of  the  globe, 
had  this  direction ;  and  may  have  been  produced  by  the  elevation  of 
an  extensive  portion  of  the  bottom  of  the  Artie  ocean.  De  La  Beche, 
in  his  recent  able  Geological  Manual,!  seems  to  regard  the  "  center 
of  disturbance"  as  situated  to  the  north  of  Europe;  and  leaves  us  to 
infer  that  diluvial  action  in  America  was  merely  the  result  of  the 
mighty  wave,  proceeding  from  that  center.  But  so  far  as  I  can  judge 
from  the  accounts  which  European  geologists  have  given  us  of  dilu- 
vial action,  in  that  quarter  of  the  globe,  I  doubt  exceedingly  whether 
it  has  left  traces  by  any  means  as  striking  as  in  this  country.  As 
to  grooves  and  furrows  in  the  rocks,  for  example,  the  writer  above 
quoted  says,  that  "  Sir  James  Hall  even  considers  that  a  rush  over 
the  land  (in  Scotland,)  has  left  traces  of  its  course  in  the  shape  of 
furrows,  which  the  transported  mineral  substances,  moving  with  great 
velocity,  have  cut  in  the  solid  rocks  beneath."  Such  language  im- 
plies that  these  traces  are  by  no  means  common,  as  in  our  country. 
Have  we  not  then  reason  for  supposing  that  the  "  center  of  disturb- 
ance "  might  have  been  situated  nearer  to  this  continent  than  to  Eu- 
rope? although  the  general  direction  of  the  current  on  both  conti- 
nents seems  to  imply  that  its  situation  was  not  far  from  the  north  pole. 

*  Mr.  J.  Phillips  infers  from  recent  examination  in  Yorkshire,  England,  that  the  ' 
diluvial  current  there  was  from  the   north  and  northwest.      And  Mr.  Murchisson 
finds  that  the  direction  of  the  diluvial  markings  on  the  rocks  in  Brora  district, 
Scotland,  is  uniformly  from  N.N.W.  to  S.S.E.       See  Philosophical  Magazine, 
Vol.  2,  N.  Series,  pp.  140  and  150. 
tp.  164. 


168  Scientific  Geology. 

The  recent  profound  and  splendid  generalizations  of  Elie  de  Beau- 
mont, in  regard  to  the  elevation  of  mountain  chains,  at  various  epochs, 
seem  to  have  rendered  it  all  but  certain,  that  the  deluge  of  history 
was  produced  by  such  an  event.      This  is  the  opinion  of  Beaumont. 
The  elevation  of  a  chain  of  mountains  from  the  ocean's  bed,  "  would 
produce  effects  in  countries  remote  from  the  spot,"  says  he,  "  similar 
to  the  sudden  and  transient  deluge  of  which  we  find  traces,  and  of  a 
uniform  date,  in  the  archives  of  all  people."  —  "  If  that  historical 
event,"  he  adds,  "  be  nothing  else  but  the  latest  of  the  revolutions  on 
the  earth's  surface,  it  will  be  natural  to  enquire,  what  chain  of  moun- 
tains was  elevated  at  the  same  date ;    and  possibly  it  will  reach  the 
case  to  remark,  that  the  chain  of  the  Andes,  whose  breathing  volca- 
noes are  yet  generally  active,  forms  a  ridge  the  most  extended,  the 
most  decided,  and  the  least  changed  from  the  actual  external  config- 
uration of  the  terrestrial  globe."*     If  it  be  true,  however,  that  the 
diluvium,  which  I  have  described,  received  its  present  form  and  po- 
sition from  the  historical  deluge ;  and  if  the  direction  of  the  current  in 
all  northern  countries  was  from  the  north  ;    it  is  difficult  to  conceive 
how  either  the  flux  or  reflux  of  the  ocean,  produced  by  the  elevation 
of  the  Andes,  could  have  been  in  that  direction.     But  the  history  of 
Iceland  proves,  that  mountains  have  been  elevated  in  the  northern 
part  of  our  globe  by  internal  forces,  within  a  comparatively  recent 
period ;    and  this  circumstance  takes  away  all  improbabilities  from 
the  supposition  that  the  center  of  disturbance  was  there  at  the  time  of 
the  Mosaic  deluge.     And  is  not  this  opinion  strengthened  by  the  dis- 
covery of  the  antediluvian  elephant,  incased  in  ice,  on  the  shores  of 
Kamtschatka  ;  and  of  the  tiger  in  the  frozen  gravel  of  the  same  re- 
gions :  showing  that  the  waters  of  the  Arctic  ocean  were  poured  over 
that  country  when  these  animals  were  enveloped,  producing  such  a 
change  of  temperature,  that  not  until  the  present  century,  did  the  ice 
melt  away  enough  to  disclose  their  remains. 

Before  concluding  this  subject  of  alluvium  and  diluvium,  I  hope  I 
shall  be  excused  for  making  a  short  digression.  Although  it  may 
seem  arrogant  in  one  who  has  never  personally  inspected  the  cele- 
brated mounds  of  our  western  states,  so  universally  regarded  as  the 
work  of  man,  I  hesitate  not  to  advance  the  opinion  with  great  confi- 
dence, that  they  are  almost  universally  the  results  of  diluvial  and  flu- 

*Recherches  sur  quelques — unes  Des  Revolutions  de  la  Surfacedu  Globe. — Pa- 
ris 1830. 


Stratification  of  Diluvium.  169 

yiatile  action.     To  say  nothing  of  their  great  number  and  size,  which 
would  render  their  construction  a  work  of  ages  for  all  the  millions 
of  the  globe,  there  is  one  fact  stated  by  an  acute  writer,  that  must  put 
the  question  at  rest.     He  says  that  he  "  had  never  examined  one  that 
was  not  composed  of  different  strata  of  earth,  invariably  lying  hori- 
zontally to  the  very  edge  of  the  mound."*     Now  I  take  it  upon  me 
to  say,  that  it  is  altogether  beyond  the  art  of  man  to  pile  up  large 
hills  of  loam,  sand,  clay,  &c.  so  as  to  exhibit  the  stratified  structure 
here  spoken  of.     L'jt  any  man  but  examine  the  alluvial  or  tertiary 
banks  of  a  river  having  a  stratified  structure,  and  he  will  at  once  see 
that  human  skill  can  never  imitate  this  work  of  water.      These 
mounds,  therefore,  scattered  as  they  are  in  immense  numbers  over 
the  western  regions,  are  the  work  of  God  and  not  of  man.      They 
were  either  piled  up  by  diluvial  action,  or  they  are  remnants  of  ter- 
tiary formations,  that  have  been  mostly  removed  by  rains,  land  floods, 
and  deluges.     We  have  an  abundance  of  just  such  mounds  in  New 
England,  which  need  only  a  lively  fancy  to  convert  into  the  products 
of  a  once  mighty  and  highly  civilized  people.      The  southeastern 
part  of  Massachusetts  abounds  with  hills  of  this  description.     In  the 
more  central  parts  of  the  State  they  are  less  common.     Yet  the  trav- 
eler will  frequently  meet  with  elevations  of  this  kind,  which  viewed 
in  certain  directions  are  regular  cones.     Such  examples  may  be  seen 
in  Franklin  and  its  vicinity.     One  occurs  a  mile  or  two  east  of  the 
meeting  house  in  Enfield,  on  the  banks  of  a  small  stream :    and  a 
similar  one  may  be  seen  in   Deerfield,  at  the  foot  of  Long  Hill,  two 
miles  south  of  the  village.     In  making  the  road,  one  half  this  mound 
has  been  dug  away,  so  as  to  exhibit  its  horizontal  strata.    Others  may 
be  seen  on  the  stage  road  between  Belchertown  and   Ware.      That 
such  elevations  should  have  been  selected,  both  in  New  England  and 
at  the  west,  for  the  habitations,  the  forts,  and  the  burying  places  of 
the  aboriginals,  is  just  what  we  might  expect.     And  this  circumstance 
has  doubtless  given  rise  to  the  idea  that  these  mounds  are  artificial. 
Nor  will  the  belief  that  we  can  point  to  monuments  of  human  skill 
more  ancient  than  the  pyramids  of  Egypt,  be  likely  to  receive  a  very 
strict  scrutiny,  or  be  easily  abandoned. 

Stratification  vf  Diluvium. 
Though  in  this  formation  the  materials  be  confusedly  mingled  to- 

*  Illinois  Mag-azine  Vol.  I.  p.  252. 
22 


170  Scientific  Geology. 

gether,  yet  it  must  not  be  understood  that  it  is  entirely  homogenous 
and  destitute  of  stratification.  In  all  deluges,  during  their  swelling 
and  subsiding,  there  will  be  more  or  less  of  flux  and  reflux,  of  vio- 
lence and  quiescence  in  the  waters,  and  of  course  the  materials  de- 
posited will  be  sometimes  finer  than  at  others.  This  will  lay  the 
foundation  for  stratification,  and  indeed,  most  diluvium  exhibits  as 
much  of  it  as  those  coarse  consolidated  conglomerates  in  the  older 
rocks,  which  sometimes  alternate  with  sandstones  and  even  shales. 
This  resemblance  in  their  character  is  interesting,  because  it  proves 
an  identity  of  causes  in  their  production.  It  is  not  very  common, 
however,  to  see  in  our  diluvium  a  very  sudden  change  from  coarse 
to  fine  materials.  I  was  hence  interested  in  the  section  of  a  diluvial 
hill  in  Schoodack,  N.  York,  through  which  (as  laid  bare  by  excava- 
ting the  road,)  there  extended  a  stratum  of  loam,  the  mass  of  the  hill 
being  made  up  of  coarse  gravel.  This  stratum  was  only  a  foot  thick 
at  its  upper  extremity,  and  dipped  a  few  degrees  towards  the  north. 
Near  its  lower  extremity,  it  had  been  bent  downwards  nearly  at  right 
angles,  as  shown  below ;  and  the--  upright  portions  were  drawn  out, 
as  if  in  a  plastic  state  when  the  lower  part  slid  downwards.  For  to 
suppose  that  the  hill  had  thus  sunk,  will  satisfactorily  explain  the 
case ;  and  as  such  an  occurrence  would  be  more  likely  to  take  place 
when  the  whole  mass  was  saturated  with  water,  we  should  expect 
that  the  loam  would  be  in  a  plastic  state.  Very  probably  the  inclined 
position  of  the  whole  stratum  resulted  from  a  slipping  down  of  that 
part  of  the  hill  which  embraced  it. 


Diluvial  Bank  :  Schoodack,  N.  Y. 

Mineral  Contents. 

Since  diluvium  embraces  portions  of  every  rock  that  rises  to  the 
surface,  we  might  expect  to  find  in  it  specimens  of  all  the  minerals 


Organic  Remains.  171 

which  the  rocks  in  place  contain.  And  it  would  be  easy  to  enumer- 
ate a  very  extensive  list,  in  this  formation,  in  Massachusetts.  But 
this  could  be  of  no  use :  and  I  shall  only  mention  the  few  which  #re 
of  special  interest. 

The  most  important  of  these  is  native  gold,  which  exists  in  dilu- 
vium in  Somerset  Vt.  The  soil  from  which  I  saw  it  washed,  was 
taken  only  about  a  foot  below  the  surface,  and  consisted  of  loam,  or 
of  sand  and  clay,  containing  vegetable  matter.  Deeper  in  the  ground 
the  materials  are  coarse.  But  to  what  depth  the  gold  extends,  has  not 
been  ascertained.  As  I  have  given  an  extended  description  of  the 
features  of  this  gold  region  in  the  first  part  of  the  report,  and  shall 
hereafter  more  particularly  describe  its  mode  of  occurrence  in  the 
talcose  slate,  from  which  it  has  been  washed,  I  need  not  dwell  upon 
the  subject  here. 

A  few  years  since  a  mass  of  native  copper  was  found  in  the  di- 
luvium of  Whately,  weighing  17  ounces  avoirdupois.  Its  shape  was 
irregular,  and  it  was  partially  coated  with  the  green  carbonate  of 
copper.  There  can  be  little  doubt  but  this  proceeded  from  the  new 
red  sandstone  or  the  greenstone ;  although  in  Massachusetts,  this 
mineral  has  not  been  found  in  either  of  these  rocks. 

Dr.  Samuel  L.  Dana  informs  me,  that  recently  a  small  mass  of 
lamellar  sulphate  of  baryta,  containing  some  specks  of  galena,  and 
with  some  quartz  and  feldspar  attached  to  it,  was  discovered  in  dilu- 
vial gravel  in  Waltham.  This  fact  is  interesting,  because,  with  this 
exception,  no  baryta  has  been  discovered  in  that  vicinity.  Near  the 
spot,  however,  rolled  masses  of  quartz  have  been  dug  up,  containing 
galena.  These  facts  certainly  indicate  a  vein  of  these  minerals  in 
the  vicinity ;  and  I  venture  to  predict,  that  if  ever  it  is  brought  to 
light,  it  will  be  found  north  of  the  spot  where  the  diluvial  fragments 
occur. 

Organic  Remains. 

I  know  of  no  instance  in  which  organic  remains  of  any  interest 
have  been  found  in  our  diluvium,  with  the  exception,  perhaps,  of  sev- 
eral species  of  recent  shells  in  two  or  three  places.  The  Messrs. 
Danas  state,  that  in  Cambridge,  a  common  species  of  Mya  was  found, 
forming  a  stratum  three  or  four  inches  thick,  in  the  side  of  a  hill ; 
also  strata  of  Mya,  Mytilus,  and,  Ostrea,  several  inches  thick,  and 
from  five  to  ten  feet  below  the  surface,  .at  Lechmere  Point ;  and  frag- 
ments of  Mya,  107  feet  below  the  surface,  at  Jamaica  Plains,  in  Rox- 


172  Scientific  Geology. 

bury.  Similar  beds  of  shells  are  also  found  on  Nantucket :  such  as 
Natica,  Pyrula,  Venus,  Crepidula,  Solen,  Pecten,  Area,  &c.  as  will 
be  more  particularly  described  when  I  treat  of  Plastic  Clay.  I  am 
not  certain  that  in  any  of  these  cases  the  shells  occur  in  diluvium  5 
though  I  regard  that  as  the  most  probable  supposition. 


3.  TERTIARY  FORMATIONS. 

For  a  long  time  these  formations  were  confounded  with  alluvium 
and  diluvium  :  but  they  are  clearly  distinguished  from  both,  by  the 
much  finer  state  of  most  of  the  materials  that  compose  them ;  by  the 
greater  regularity  of  their  stratification  ;  by  their  relatively  inferior 
position,  and  by  containing  peculiar  organic  remains.  As  appears 
from  the  map  attached  to  the  recent  geological  work  of  Mr.  Lyell,* 
tertiary  strata  occupy  more  than  half  of  the  surface  of  Europe ;  yet 
geologists  had  paid  very  little  attention  to  them  till  the  publication  of 
the  work  of  Cuvier  and  Brongniart,  on  the  Paris  Basin,  in  181 1.  In 
our  country,  although  these  formations  occupy  a  vast  extent  of  sur- 
face, particularly  in  the  southern  States ;  embracing  that  broad  tract 
along  the  coast  marked  on  Mr.  Maclure's  Map  as  alluvial ;  yet  have 
they  received  but  very  little  elucidation.  Messrs.  Morton,  Vanuxem, 
and  Conrad,  have,  however,  recently  devoted  themselves  successfully 
to  this  subject. 

After  the  tertiary  beds  around  Paris  and  London  had  been  des- 
cribed, it  seemed  for  a  long  time  to  be  taken  for  granted,  that  tertiary 
strata  all  over  the  world  must  be  identical  with  these :  as  if  those 
spots  contained  the  types  of  the  whole  globe.  But  geologists  now 
find  that  no  formations  are  more  independent  than  the  tertiary ;  and 
that  it  is  very  difficult  to  ascertain  a  precise  identity  of  origin  of  any 
two  basins,  even  when  near  to  one  another  ;  and  as  to  those  that  are 
widely  separated,  it  is  no  easy  matter  to  determine  whether  they  were 
deposited  during  the  same  geological  epoch. 

I  shall  describe  the  tertiary  rocks  of  Massachusetts  under  two  di- 
visions: 1.  The  most  recent  tertiary;  and  2.  the  Plastic  Clay. 
These  are  distinguished  from  each  other  by  their  mineralogical 
characters,  their  organic  remains,  and  the  different  position  of  their 
strata. 

*  Principles  of  Geology,  &c.  by  Charles  Lyell,  Vol.  Q.     London,  1832. 


Newest  Tertiary.  173 

The  most  recent  Tertiary. 

The  most  extensive  deposites  of  the  beds  of  this  class,  are  in  the  val- 
ley of  the  Connecticut ;  where  they  are  marked  on  the  map.  They 
occur  also,  in  small  patches  in  many  other  places  in  the  State :  but 
they  have  been  marked  on  the  map  in  no  other  place,  except  in  Cam- 
bridge and  Charlestown.  The  great  resemblance  in  the  mineralo- 
gical  characters  of  these  beds  all  over  the  State,  their  horizontal  posi- 
tion, and  the  almost  entire  absence  of  organic  remains  in  them,  so 
far  as  they  have  been  examined,  have  made  it  impossible  to  describe 
them  as  distinct  deposites ;  though  I  have  little  doubt,  that  many  of 
them,  at  least,  are  such.  Yet  probably  they  do  not  differ  much  in 
age.  But  I  leave  to  future  observers  to  settle  what  I  have  no  means 
of  deciding. 

These  newest  tertiary  strata  consist  of  horizontal  alternating  layers 
of  white  siliceous  sand  and  blue  plastic  clay.  Along  the  Connecti; 
cut,  the  sand  occupies  the  highest  place  in  the  series ;  and  covers 
most  of  the  surface.  Its  upper  portion  is  disturbed  and  piled  up 
irregularly  by  diluvial  action ;  and  sometimes  mixed  with  transported 
gravel.  But  where  the  streams  have  worn  passages  from  10  to  15 
feet  deep,  they  have  almost  uniformly  disclosed  the  stratum  of  clay. 
And  not  unfrequently  tracts  of  considerable  extent  are  entirely  swept 
of  sand,  whereby  the  soil  is  rendered  highly  argillaceous.  Generally 
the  beds  of  sand  and  gravel  appear  to  be  several  feet  thick  ;  but  some- 
times I  have  found  numerous  alternations  in  the  height  of  a  few  feet, 
or  even  a  few  inches  —  some  of  the  layers  not  being  more  than  half 
an  inch  thick.  Some  years  since,  I  obtained  the  following  rough 
sketch  of  a  cliff,  a  few  feet  in  height,  in  Deerfield  ;  the  face  of  which 
had  recently  been  laid  bare  by  the  sliding  awa*y  of  its  outer  portion. 
The  beds,  a  a,  &c.  b  b,  &c.  c,  and  d,  represent  different  horizontal  layers 
of  sand  and  clay  ;  the  former  becoming  often  very  fine,  and  the  latter 
sometimes  approaching  to  loam.  Some  of  the  layers  of  clay  were  not 
more  than  half  an  inch  thick ;  and  these  in  general,  with  the  inter- 
stratified  sand  beds,  appeared  as  if  deposited  from  water  perfectly  at 
rest.  But  the  stratum  c,  presented  a  most  remarkable  exception.  It 
was  composed  of  angular  and  rounded  pieces  of  clay,  mixed  with 
sand,  and  obviously  resulted  from  the  breaking  up  of  several  thin 
beds  of  clay  and  sand,  by  some  unusual  agitation  of  the  waters. 
The  stratum  d,  was  still  more  remarkable.  It  consisted  of  sand  and 
two  layers  of  clay  ;  the  latfer  being  very  irregularly  bent,  as  if, 


174  Scientific  Geology. 

when  in  a  plastic  state,  it  had  been  acted  on  by  opposing  lateral 
forces. 

If  I  mistake  not,  this  section  throws  light  upon  the  manner  in 
which  some  of  the  disturbances  in  the  older  rocks  may  have  been 
produced.  Let  the  stratum  c,  be  only  consolidated  by  heat,  or  other- 
wise, and  we  have  a  perfect  conglomerated  sandstone,  or  gray  wacke. 
Let  the  stratum  d,  be  not  only  consolidated,  but  partially  melted,  so 
as  to  become  in  a  good  degree  crystalline ;  and  we  have  that  variety 
of  mica  slate  or  quartz  rock,  in  which  the  planes  of  stratification  do 
not  correspond  with  the  contorted  schistose  layers.  The  undisturbed 
beds  of  sand,  by  the  same  igneous  action,  might  be  converted  into 
quartz  rock,  or  mica  slate ;  and  the  interlaminated  layers  of  clay, 
into  argillaceous  slate,  or  hornblende  schist,  or  both.  Thus  from 
this  thin  tertiary  formation,  might  result  hornblende  slate,  mica  slate, 
quartz  rock,  argillaceous  slate,  conglomerated  gray  wacke,  and  sand- 
stone :  and  these  might  present  much  of  the  regularity  and  irregu- 
larity, peculiar  to  each  rock.  And  to  accomplish  all  this,  and  also 
to  give  the  strata  an  inclined  position,  we  have  only  to  suppose  the 
the  same  volcanic  agency  to  be  exerted,  which  we  know  has  been  a 
thousand  times  employed  in  the  elevation  of  strata,  and  in  the  pro- 
trusion of  the  unstratified  rocks. 

,pA^k^A^i>x.A^A^ 

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a 


'KSSS3&S^ 

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Section  of  a  Cliff  of  Tertiary  Clay  and  Sand  :  Deerfield. 


Flexures  in  the  Laminae  of  Clay. 


175 


The  preceding  section  was  obtained  on  the  side  of  a  gully,  a  few 
rods  west  of  the  stage  road  at  Long  Hill,  two  miles  south  of  Deer- 
field  north  village.  The  last  year,  I  obtained  the  following  sketch 
from  a  clay  pit,  recently  opened,  a  few  rods  east  of  the  Academy,  in 
Deerfield.  The  contorted  portion  of  the  wall  of  the  pit,  was  about 
three  feet  in  perpendicular  thickness  ;  and  above  and  below,  (as  shown 
on  the  sketch,)  the  layers  of  clay  were  perfectly  regular  and  horizon- 
tal. This  proves  beyond  all  question,  that  the  disturbance  must  have 
taken  place  during  the  period  of  the  deposition  of  the  clay  ;  and  that 
the  cause  must  have  been  a  transient  one.  A  few  rods  farther  to  the 
east,  however,  as  we  pass  up  a  hill,  a  similar  disturbance  of  the  lay- 
ers of  clay  appears  at  a  higher  level,  and  of  several  rods  in  length ; 
proving  that  the  cause,  whatever  it  might  be,  recurred  at  intervals. 
This  case  differs  from  the  one  first  described,  in  there  being  no  in- 
terstratified  layers  of  sand,  as  are  shown  in  the  preceding  sketch. 


Contortions  in  the  Clay  Beds  :  Deerfield. 

Position  and  thickness  of  the  Strata. 

There  is  no  evidence,  that  I  have  ever  been  able  to  find,  to  prove 
that  these  tertiary  strata  have  been  disturbed  since  their  original  de- 
position. Nevertheless,  the  layers,  or  strata,  are  not  always  exactly  hor- 
izontal. Where  the  surface  beneath  is  slightly  undulating,  the  laminae 
of  clay  are  conformed  to  the  irregularity.  This  produces  a  dip  some- 
times of  two  or  three,  or  even  five  degrees,  and  in  one  or  two  cases 
(the  east  side  of  north  Sugar  Loaf  mountain,  in  Deerfield,  and  the 


176  Scientific  Geology. 

hill  a  mile  south  of  Brattleborough  east  village,)  it  falls  but  little  short 
of  10°.  A  less  dip  maybe  seen  in  the  clay  hill  east  of  Deerfield 
Academy :  and  in  the  east  part  of  Hadley,  on  the  middle  road  to 
Amherst,  the  laminae  conform  to  the  gentle  swells  and  depressions  of 
the  ground.  At  the  base  of  steep  hills,  however,  the  clay  beds  are 
generally  horizontal ;  because,  as  I  suppose,  the  declivity  was  too 
steep  to  permit  of  these  depositions  in  a  conformable  manner.  This 
fact,  and  the  circumstance  that  in  those  cases  where  there  is  a  slight 
inclination  of  the  clay  bed,  the  dip  folio  vvs  no  general  law,  but  con- 
forms to  the  surface,  has  led  me  to  conclude  that  this  tertiary  forma- 
tion remains  as  it  was  originally  deposited.  I  mean  that  the  few 
cases  of  dip  which  exist,  do  not  prove  any  disturbing  force  acting 
subsequently  to  the  deposition  of  the  formation.  And  I  think  we  have 
in  these  cases,  the  maximum  of  inclination  in  a  sedimentary  deposite 
of  clay  and  sand,  formed  in  still  water.  For  since  hills  of  every  de- 
gree of  inclination  must  have  existed  in  the  bottom  of  lakes,  ponds,  or 
the  ocean,  in  which  this  formation  was  deposited,  the  layers  of  sand 
and  gravel  would  liave  remained  in  a  conformable  position  on  every 
slope  that  was  not  so  steep  as  to  cause  the  materials  to  slide  down. 
I  think  that  in  no  case  the  inclination  is  more  than  10o ;  although  I 
have  not  applied  the  clinometer. 

The  measurement  of  a  base  line,  for  a  trigonometrical  survey  of 
the  State,  in  the  valley  of  the  Connecticut,  by  Col.  Stevens,  during 
the  year  1831,  has  furnished  another  proof  that  this  tertiary  forma- 
tion has  not  been  disturbed  since  its  deposition.  For  the  tracery  of 
that  line,  (nearly  eight  miles  long,)  was  made  upon  this  formation  ; 
and  the  two  extremities  were  found  to  correspond  in  their  level  with- 
in three  feet. 

Mr.  Smith,  in  his  account  of  the  Connecticut  river  valley,  in  Vol- 
ume 22nd  of  the  American  Journal  of  Science,  states  that  the  greatest 
elevation  of  clay  beds  along  Enfield  Falls,  is  about  fifty  feet  above 
the  present  surface  of  the  river  ;  and  this,  if  I  understand  him,  ex- 
ceeds the  general  thickness  of  the  clay  beds  in  that  region.  But  as 
we  descend  into  the  basin  in  which  the  village  of  Deerfield  is  situ- 
ated, the  clay,  without  any  alternation  of  sand,  is  exposed  not  less 
than  60  feet  in  depth ;  and  still  the  bottom  is  not  seen.  A  little  east 
of  the  Academy,  in  the  same  town,  the  layers  of  clay  rise  30  or  40 
feet  above  the  plain,  and  at  the  same  place  have  been  penetrated  at 
the  foot  of  the  hill,  25  feet,  without  reaching  the  bottom  :  so  that  in 
this  valley,  this  single  bed  of  clay,  cannot  be  less  than  60  or  70  feet 


Position  and  thickness  of  the  Strata.  177 

thick  ;  and  it  may  be  much  more.  The  stratum  of  sand  above  the 
clay  is  so  much  mixed  in  its  upper  part  with  diluvium,  that  I  can 
form  but  a  very  vague  idea  of  its  thickness.  It  can,  however,  hardly 
be  less  than  15  or  20  feet. 

I  have  no  evidence  that  a  stratum  of  sand  is  found  beneath  the 
clay  in  the  Connecticut  valley ;  though,  as  already  mentioned,  there 
are  sometimes  numerous  alternations  of  the  sand  and  gravel  in  nar- 
row strata,  near  the  line  of  junction.  Mr.  Smith  also  states,  that  in 
excavating  the  canal  at  Enfield  Falls,  the  clay  beds  were  entirely 
cut  through  ;  and  that  between  the  beds  and  the  new  red  sandstone, 
was  found  a  confused  mixture  of  rounded  masses  of  sandstone,  green- 
stone, granite,  and  other  primitive  rocks,  mixed  with  red  clay  from  4 
to  20  feet  thick.  This  is  an  interesting  fact ;  because  it  proves  that 
in  the  interval  between  the  deposition  of  the  sandstone  and  the  terti- 
ary formation  under  consideration,  fluviatile  and  diluvial  currents, 
similar  to  those  that  have  since  existed,  must  have  been  in  operation. 

The  surface  of  the  tertiary  formation  in  the  vicinity  of  Boston  has 
been  so  much  acted  upon  by  diluvial  currents,  that  as  already  re- 
marked, I  have  been  at  a  loss  whether  to  describe  it  as  tertiary  or 
diluvial.  But  there  is  no  doubt,  T  believe,  that  genuine  clay  beds,  or 
layers  of  clay,  do  exist  not  far  beneath  the  surface.  This  clay  is 
represented  by  the  well  diggers  as  extremely  hard  ;  and  underneath 
it,  are  layers  of  sand  and  gravel.  It  is  from  70  to  120  feet  thick; 
and  when  perforated,  water  rushes  upwards  with  great  violence. 
The  only  genus  of  organic  remains  found  in  the  tertiary  of  the  Con- 
necticut valley,  I  have  discovered  also  in  the  clay  at  Charlestown ; 
unless  I  have  greatly  misapprehended  its  characters.  But  the  same 
genus  occurs  also  in  the  clay  beds  of  Nantucket ;  which  I  have  been 
inclined  to  consider  as  belonging  to  the  Plastic  Clay  :  so  that  this 
relic  does  not  seem  to  afford  much  aid  in  determining  the  relative 
antiquity  of  these  several  beds. 

As  to  other  limited  patches  of  tertiary  in  the  State,  (excepting  the 
Plastic  Clay,  which  occupies  its  southeastern  part,)  I  know  almost 
nothing.  I  have  only  seen  pits  opened  in  them  occasionally,  for  the 
purpose  of  making  brick.  But  although  the  clay  appears  to  be  min- 
eralogically  identical  with  that  in  the  Connecticut  valley,  yet  I  have 
met  in  it  with  no  sort  of  organic  relic.  These  beds  must  vary  in  rel- 
ative level  several  hundred  feet ;  occupying  as  they  do,  the  depress- 
ions of  the  surface  in  the  various  formations.  This  fact  precludes 
the  idea  of  their  having  been  deposited  by  the  same  body  'of  waters, 
23 


178  Scientific  Geology. 

unless  they  constituted  an  ocean  deep  enough  to  cover  the  whole  sur- 
face of  the  State.  And  such  a  submersion  is  rendered  improbable  by 
the  horizontal  position  of  the  layers  of  clay  ;  which  shows  that  no 
elevating  force  has  acted  upon  the  State  since  their  deposition.  Their 
production  in  different  and  independent  basins  of  water,  such  ponds, 
perhaps,  as  now  exist  in  Middleborough,  Troy,  Falmouth,  Webster, 
&c.*  —  is  the  more  probable  hypothesis. 

I  call  these  various  deposites  the  newest  tertiary  in  the  State. 
But  my  only  proof  that  they  are  newer  than  the  plastic  clay  of  the 
southeast  part  of  the  State  is,  that  the  strata  of  the  latter,  at  least,  at 
Martha's  Vineyard,  are  inclined  at  a  high  angle ;  while  those  of  the 
former  are  horizontal.  And  we  know  that  the  older  strata  are  gen- 
erally, though  not  always,  more  inclined  than  the  newer.  I  know  of 
no  place  where  these  two  series  of  strata  are  in  contact,  so  that  their 
true  relative  position  may  be  seen. 

Mineral  Contents. 

I  place  in  this  formation  the  extensive  beds  of  the  hydrate  of  iron, 
(Limonite,  Beudant:  Prismatic  Iron  Ore,  Mohs:  Brown  Oxide  of 
Iron,  Cleaveland,)  which  occur  in  the  limestone  valleys  of  Berkshire 
county :  and  in  connection  with  the  same  range  of  limestone  and 
mica  slate,  in  Vermont  and  Connecticut.  I  am  aware  that  in  doing 
this,  I  deviate  from  the  opinion  of  several  geologists,  who  have  ex- 
amined these  beds,  and  seem  inclined  to  regard  them  as  belonging 
to  the  mica  slate  or  gneiss.f  But  I  could  not  find  the  slightest  evi- 
dence, at  any  bed  of  this  ore  which  I  visited,  that  it  is  interposed  be- 
tween layers  of  mica  slate,  gneiss,  or  any  other  solid  rock.  It  is, 
however,  usually  associated  with  more  or  less  of  clay  ;  and,  there- 
fore, I  regard  it  as  belonging  to  a  tertiary  formation.  Generally,  the 
bed  is  covered  by  nothing  but  diluvium;  and  diluvial  action  seems 
sometimes  to  have  disturbed  the  ore  to  a  considerable  depth,  so  that 
my  doubt  has  been,  whether  it  ought  not  to  be  placed  even  as  high  as 
diluvium,  rather  than  whether  it  belongs  to  the  primitive  rocks.  Pro- 
fessor Silliman  does,  indeed,  speak  of  a  ledge  of  gneiss,  as  being 
brought  to  view  by  the  excavation  at  Kent,  in  Connecticut,  in  the 

*  The  name  of  the  principal  pond  in  this  latter  place,  although  not  given  on  the 
map,  deserves  to  be  mentioned,  because  it  is  so  laconical  and  euphonical.  It  is 
Chargoggagoggmanchoggagogg. 

t  Am.  Journal  of  Science,  Vol.  2.  pp.  213  and  216  :  also  Vol.  8.  p.  30. 


Mineral  Contents.  179 

upper  part  of  the  mine ;  and  he  considers  this  the  roof  of  "  the  vast 
bed  of  clay,  which  forms  the  immediate  enveloping  matter  of  the  ore." 
Although  I  have  not  visited  the  ore  beds  in  Kent,  I  must  be  permit- 
ted to  doubt  whether  there  be  nofa  deception  in  respect  to  this  point. 
For  the  occurrence  of  a  "  vast  bed  of  clay,"  unconsolidated,  in  gneiss 
or  mica  slate,  is  such  a  perfect  anomaly  in  geology,  that  it  cannot  be 
admitted  without  the  strongest- evidence.  And  when  I  find  these  ore 
beds  at  Salisbury,  West  Stockbridge,  Richmond,  and  Lenox,  most 
obviously  lying  above  the  primary  rocks,  I  cannot  but  suspect  that  this 
is  the  case  also  at  Kent:  though  I  would  not  close  my  eyes  against 
evidence  to  the  contrary. 

If  it  be  admitted  that  this  hydrate  of  iron  belongs  to  a  tertiary  for- 
mation, it  by  no  means  follows  that  its  deposition  was  isochronous 
with  that  of  the  newest  tertiary  in  the  valley  of  the  Connecticut :  and 
the  occurrence  in  the  former,  of  so  much  iron,  while  it  is  very  spar- 
ingly diseminated  in  the  latter,  is  a  presumptive  argument  against 
their  production  in  the  same  menstruum. 

The  principal  beds  of  the  hydrate  of  iron  in  Berkshire  county,  are 
found  in  West  Stockbridge,  Richmond,  and  Lenox.  Out  of  Massa- 
chusetts, the  beds  at  Bennington,  Vt.  and  at  Salisbury  and  Kent,  Ct. 
are  best  known..  The  most  common  varieties  are  the  brown  hema- 
tite, and  compact  brown  oxide,  though  the  ochrey  brown  oxide  is 
very  common,  as  well  as  the  argillaceous  oxide.  The  hematite  is 
often  beautifully  mamillary  and  stalactical.  (Nos.  53,  54,  55.) 

No  one  looks  at  the  stalactical  specimens  of  this  ore,  without  en- 
quiring at  once,  whether  heat  must  not  have  been  concerned  in  its 
production.  For  the  specimens  exceedingly  resemble  certain  stalac- 
tical varieties  of  lava,  or  the  products  of  a  powerful  iron  furnace. 
And  in  their  natural  position,  the  stalactites  usually  hang  in  a  per- 
pendicular position,  as  they  would  do  if  formed  by  the  dripping  of 
tenacious  melted  matter.  But  after  all,  there  seem  to  be  insuperable 
difficulties  in  admitting  the  igneous  origin  of  hematite.  For  how 
could  heat  have  operated  powerfully  enough  upon  the  hematite  to 
melt  it,  without  melting,  or  at  least  indurating,  the  clay  in  which  it  is 
enveloped?  Again,  the  occurrence  of  this  ore  in  calcareous  spar 
and  quartz,  (which  are  usually  of  aqueous  origin,)  shows  that  it 
may  be  produced  from  water.  It  is  likewise  now  admitted,  I  believe, 
by  the  ablest  mineralogists,*  that  argillaceous  oxide  of  iron  and  bog 

*  Beuclant's  Minerologie,  Vol.  2.  p.  702 :  Dictionaire  Classiqu^  D'  Historic  Natu- 
rellc,  Art.  Fer  Hydrate  or  Hydroxide  :  also  Mohs  Mineralogy,  Vol.  2.  p.  410. 


180  Scientific  Geology, 

ore,  are  only  impure  varieties  of  hydrate  of  iron.  And  the  bog 
ore  is  daily  forming  before  our  eyes  by  aqueous  deposition,  and 
some  of  it  is  in  fact  the  same  as  the  compact  brown  oxide.  Only  ad- 
mit, then,  that  circumstances  were  favorable  to  crystallization,  when 
the  hematite  was  in  a  state  of  solution  in  the  water  percolating 
through  clay,  and  may  we  not  conceive  how  that  ore  was  produced  ? 

The  oxide  of  manganese,  sometimes  delicately  radiated,  and  some- 
times investing  the  hematite,  occurs  at  probably  all  the  beds  of  hy- 
drate of  iron  that  have  been  mentioned.  I  noticed  it  particularly  at 
the  bed  in  West  Stockbridge  :  and  it  is  well  known  that  it  did  exist  in 
Bennington,  Vt.  in  the  same  connection,  in  large  quantity. 

Associated  with  the  hydrate  of  iron  in  Richmond,  in  a  bed  owned 
by  Mr.  Gates,  there  has  been  found  a  hydrate  of  alumina,  (alumina, 
64.  8,  water,  34.  7,)  which  Professor  Torrey  has  named  Gibbsite,  in 
honor  of  Col.  George  Gibbs,  one  of  the  earliest  cultivators,  and  most 
munificent  patrons  of  mineralogy  in  our  country.  It  occurs  mamil- 
lary  and  stalactical,  of  a  white  color.  It  may  be  obtained  there  abun- 
dantly ;  and  a  single  specimen  has  been  found  in  Lenox. 

The  nodular  argillaceous  oxide  of  iron  and  yellow  ochre  occur 
occasionally  in  the  tertiary  region  around  Boston,  particularly  in 
Charlestown  and  Cambridge. 

Concretionary  Carbonate  of  Lime. 

In  the  clay  beds  of  the  Connecticut  valley,  a  curious  concretion 
occurs,  which  has  received  the  name  of  claystone,  from  its  resem- 
blance to  indurated  clay,  that  has  been  rounded  by  the  action  of  wa- 
ter. Indeed,  I  did  not  till  recently  suspect  the  presence  of  carbonate 
of  lime :  but  the  application  of  an  acid  produces  considerable  effer- 
vescence. The  general  shape  of  these  concretions  is  that  of  an  oblate 
spheroid,  sometimes  so  flattened  as  to  become  lenticular,  and  some- 
times nearly  spherical.  These  spheroids  are  usually  joined  together 
with  considerable  strength.  They  vary  in  size  from  two  inches, 
down  to  that  of  the  smallest  pigeon  shot,  and  some  of  these  smallest 
are  so  numerously  strung  together,  as  to  become  decidedly  botryoidal. 
In  other  instances,  the  spheroids  are  so  intimately  blended,  that  there 
are  no  interstices  between  them  ;  and  only  slight  convexities  are  ex- 
hibited, in  relief,  on  the  surface.  Not  unfrequently  that  surface  is 
studded  with  minute  spheroids,  not  larger  than  the  head  of  a  pin. 
Sometimes  the  concretion  is  not  spheroidal,  but  simply  an  irregular 
plate,  often  several  inches  across.  In  no  case  does  the  thickness  of 


Concretionary  Carbonate  of  Lime.  181 

these  plates,  or  a  congeries  of  the  spheroids,  exceed  that  of  a  single 
layer  of  the  clay,  which  is  rarely  more  than  half  an  inch. 

On  breaking  these  concretions  they  are  found  to  be  perfectly  solid 
and  compact ;  exhibiting  in  no  instance  the  slightest  marks  of  concre- 
tionary structure,  such  as  we  see  in  the  oolite.  Nor  could  I  bring  to 
light  a  concentric  arrangement  of  the  materials  by  applying  the  heat 
of  a  blow  pipe,  even  till  the  surface  was  fused.  Generally,  however, 
the  heat  of  a  lamp  alone  will  cause  them  to  burst  asunder  with  con- 
siderable force.  The  mass  is  obviously  composed  of  carbonate  of 
lime  mixed  with  clay,  such  as  that  in  which  they  are  found,  consist- 
ing of  alumina  and  fine  sand,  with  occasional  fine  scales  of  mica. 
The  hardness  of  the  concretion  is  about  the  same  as  the  common  im- 
pure compact  limestones.  It  does  not  constitute  any  considerable 
part  of  the  stratum  in  which  it  is  found.  I  have  observed  it  in  Am- 
herst,  Hadley,  South  Hadley  Canal,  Chicopee  in  Springfield,  Green- 
field, &c. ;  also  in  the  clay  beds  along  the  river  Hudson,  near  Albany. 

I  have  been  thus  particular  in  this  description,  because  I  have  met 
with  but  one  account  of  any  similar  production  in  any  tertiary  strata. 
It  is  obviously  an  example  of  the  solid  concretionary  structure,  and 
must  have  resulted  from  chemical  agencies.  But  are  concretions  the 
result  of  crystalographical  laws  ?  If  so,  why  are  not  crystals  pro- 
duced ?  It  seems  to  me  that  philosophy  is  yet  in  the  dark  on  this 
subject.  At  first  it  occurred  to  me  that  these  concretions  were  the 
oolite  in  a  forming  state  ;  and  that  the  consolidation  of  the  clay  would 
develope  a  concentric  structure.  But  my  failure  to  bring  this  to  light 
by  the  application  of  heat,  convinced  me  that  the  opinion  is  unten- 
able. 

The  single  account  of  similar  concretions  referred  to  above,  is 
that  of  Cuvier  and  Brongniart,  in  their  description  of  the  Paris  Ba- 
sin. "  We  find,"  say  they,  "towards  the  surface  of  that  bed  of  clay, 
(the  Plastic  Clay,)  masses  as  large  as  the  head,  though  often  much 
smaller,  of  nearly  compact  limestone,  or  made  up  of  small  compact 
nodules,  aggregated  together  as  if  by  concretion.  These  masses  of 
limestone  have  their  edges  blunted  and  their  angles  both  salient  and 
rentrant  rounded,  as  if  they  had  been  plunged  into  a  liquid  sol- 
vent."* 

Quite  recently  I  have  found  in  the  gray  argillaceous  sandstone  at 
Sunderland  cave,  in  Mount  Toby,,  numerous  reniform  concretions, 

*Recherches  sur  lea  Ossemeiis  Fossiles,  par  Cuvier,  Tome  2.  p.  311.     Paris,  IS23. 


182  Scientific  Geology. 

very  much  resembling  those  above  described.  And  I  find  that  they 
effervesce  with  acids,  which  proves  their  identity.  Some  of  them  so 
exactly  resemble  Unios  in  form,  that  I  at  first  suspected  them  to  be 
petrifactions.  But  a  careful  examination  satisfies  me  that  the  simi- 
larity is  accidental.  This  fact  shows  us  that  the  same  causes  operated 
when  this  sandstone  (a  variety  of  the  new  red  sandstone)  was  depos- 
ited, as  when  the  newest  tertiary  was  formed.  A  fact  analogous  to 
the  one  just  stated  is  mentioned  by  Dr.  Macculloch.  "  In  the  argilla- 
ceous limestones,  as  well  as  in  the  accompanying  sandstones,"  says 
he,  "  highly  flattened  spheroids  of  large  dimensions  are  found  at- 
tached in  pairs  by  a  crylindrical  stem,  and  imbedded  in  the  surround- 
ing rock."* 

Organic  Remains. 

The  newest  tertiary  in  Massachusetts,  judging  from  the  examina- 
tions which  I  have  made  of  it,  is  remarkably  wanting  in  organic  re- 
mains. Indeed,  I  have  found  but  a  single  genus,  and  even  this  is  in 
so  imperfect  a  state  that  I  have  been  unable  to  ascertain  its  nature. 
It  was  probably  some  kind  of  animal :  and  some  of  the  specimens 
bear  a  considerable  resemblaace  to  the  Ovulites  margantula  of  Gold- 
fuss'  Petrifacta :  but  I  have  never  seen  in  it  any  thing  of  the  "  poris 
minutissimis  ad  superficiem  amussim  dispositis,"  which  he  represents 
as  belonging  to  that  petrifaction.  Other  specimens  resemble  the 
Scyphia  of  the  same  author,  but  the  "  e  fibris  reticulatis  "  is  wanting. 
It  is  doubtful  whether  the  sketches  which  I  have  given  of  this  relic, 
(Plate  XI.  Figs.  18,  19,  20,  and  21,)  represent  anything  more  than 
fragments  of  it,  worn  into  an  ovoid  shape.  Fig.  22,  however,  does 
certainly  represent  one  extremity  of  the  animal  unaltered  :  for  it  is 
still  partly  enveloped  in  loam.  But  the  fragments  are  sometimes 
cylindrical,  varying  in  size  from  a  quarter  of  an  inch  to  more  than 
an  inch  in  diameter,  These  usually  perforate  the  strata  of  clay  per- 
pendicularly ;  that  is,  at  right  angles  to  the  layers ;  and  they  are 
sometimes  several  inches  long.  The  extremities,  however,  I  appre- 
hend are  always  similar  to  Fig.  22.  The  most  decisive  evidence  of 
organic  structure  which  these  remains  exhibit,  is  a  longitudinal  per- 
foration of  the  size  of  a  knitting  needle.  They  are,  it  is  true,  easily 
divisible  transversely :  but  this  seems  to  depend  upon  the  laminated 
structure  of  the  clay,  that  chiefly  composes  them,  and  not  upon  the 

*  System  of  Geology,  Vol.  1.  p.  179. 


Theoretical  Considerations.  183 

structure  of  the  animal :  for  the  dividing  plane  conforms  in  all  cases 
exactly  to  the  layers  of  the  clay.  Since  clay  forms  the  principal  min- 
eralizer,  the  outer  circumference  of  these  cylindrical  and  ovoid  relics, 
is  often  very  indefinite :  and  where  exposed  to  rains,  they  are  often 
entirely  washed  away.  Along  the  central  part,  however,  hydrate  of 
iron  seems  to  have  considerably  indurated  the  clay  ;  and,  indeed,  this 
iron  often  pervades  the  whole  mass ;  giving  it  a  rusty  aspect,  and 
hardness  sufficient  to  resist  the  action  of  rains.  In  such  cases  the 
the  relics  often  stand  out  in  relief  upon  the  surface  of  the  clay,  which 
has  worn  away  around  them. 

These  remains  I  have  found  only  in  clay  or  loam.  I  have  met 
with  them  in  three  places  in  Deerfield,  viz.  a  few  rods  east  of  the 
Academy ;  near  the  top  of  Bar's  Long  Hill ;  and  on  the  east  side  of 
North  Sugar  Loaf.  They  are  found  also  in  Greenfield,  on  Green 
River,  southwest  of  the  village :  also  in  South  Hadley,  at  the  Canal 
Falls  ;  and  100  rods  south  of  them.  I  have  found  them  likewise  in 
Charlestown,  in  clay ;  and  also  on  Nantucket  in  a  stratum  of  ferru- 
ginous sand.  Among  the  specimens  deposited  in  the  collection,  (Nos. 
47,  to  52,)  I  apprehend  several  species-  may  be  made  out. 

Theoretical  Considerations. 

That  these  tertiary  beds  were  deposited  from  a  mechanical  suspen- 
sion of  their  materials  in  water,  can  admit  of  no  question.  But  was 
it  from  salt  water  or  fresh  ?  On  this  question  the  only  organic  relic 
that  has  been  found  in  these  beds,  throws  no  light ;  because  its  nature 
is  not  understood.  Still,  I  think  we  have  some  grounds  for  forming 
an  opinion  in  this  case.  For  the  horizontal  position  of  the  laminae 
of  clay  in  this  formation,  shows  that  no  change  of  consequence  has 
taken  place  in  the  level  of  the  surface,  since  th,ey  were  deposited. 
Hence,  unless  the  level  of  the  sea  has  sunk  greatly  since  that  period, 
it  could  not  then  have  c'overed  the  regions  occupied  by  these  beds. 
They  were  probably,  therefore,  deposited  from  fresh  water  lakes  and 
ponds.  In  the  valley  of  the  Connecticut,  that  river  must  have  flowed 
through  the  lake  ;  or  rather,  an  expansion  of  the  stream  formed  the 
lake.  The  gradual  sinking  of  its  bed  at  length  brought  the  tertiary 
strata  sub  luce. 

The  probable  absence  of  marine  relics  from  these  beds,  is  another 
argument  in  favor  of  this  hypothesis ;  and  it  would  be  complete,  were 
the  fact  certainly  established. 

In  respect  to  the  tertiary  strata  in  Charlestown  and  Cambridge, 


184  Scientific  Geology. 

their  low  level,  and  vicinity  to  the  ocean,  lead  to  the  supposition  that 
they  were  deposited  from  salt  water,  by  a  process  similar  to  that 
which  is  now  going  on  in  the  salt  marshes  in  their  vicinity. 

Plastic  Clay. 

A  cursory  examination  of  the  strata  of  Martha's  Vineyard,  ten 
years  ago,  led  me  to  adopt  the  opinion  that  they  correspond  essen- 
tially with  the  Plastic  Clay  Formation  of  Europe:  and  I  gave  an 
account  of  them  under  that  name  in  the  American  Journal  of  Science. 
Every  subsequent  examination  has  confirmed  the  opinion  then  formed 
And  I  have  ascertained,  also,  that  the  same  formation  exists  in  seve- 
ral places  on  the  continent,  in  the  southeastern  part  of  the  State  ;  and 
likewise  on  Nantucket.  Wherever  in  that  region  sands  prevail  ex- 
tensively, I  have  reason  to  suppose  this  formation  exists  ;  though  I 
am  by  no  means  sure  but  some  of  these  sands  may  belong  to  a  newer 
formation.  At  some  places,  however,  variegated  clays  underlie  the 
sand,  and  fossils  are  found  corresponding  with  those  on  the  Vine- 
yard ;  and  such  strata  I  cannot  but  regard  as  identical  with  the  plas- 
tic clay  of  that  island.  It  is  on  the  Vineyard,  however,  that  this  for- 
mation is  most  fully  exhibited ;  and  I  shall  first  describe  the  strata 
which  exist  there,  and  compare  them  with  the  plastic  clay  in  Europe. 

There  are  but  two  places  on  the  Vineyard  where  I  have  found  the 
strata  laid  bare  to  any  considerable  extent  and  depth.  The  one  is  a 
cliff  in  the  southeast  part  of  Chilmark,  laid  bare  by  the  action  of  the 
ocean,  and  slowly  wearing  away  from  year  to  year.  The  other  is 
Gay  Head  ;  which  is  an  elevated  promontory  from  1 50  to  200  feet 
high,  forming  the  western  point  of  the  island,  still  owned  and  inhab- 
ited by  the  mixed  descendants  of  the  aboriginees.  This  spot  is  the 
most  interesting  and  instructive.  The  very  heart  of  the  formation 
appears  to  be  here  laid  bare.  It  consists  in  general  of  interstratified 
inclined  layers  of  gravel,  conglomerates,  sands,  variegated  clays,  iron 
ore,  and  lignite. 

Mineralogical  Characters. 

1 .  Clays.  These  greatly  predominate  in  the  cliffs  at  Gay  Head ; 
and  by  the  vividness  of  their  colors,  attract  the  attention  of  the  most 
careless  observer.  Their  variety  in  this  respect  is  very  great ;  but 
the  following  predominate.  1.  White  Pipe  Clay.  This  generally 
contains  small  plates  of  silvery  mica,  and  obviously  results  from  the 
decomposition  of  granite.  2.  Blood  Red  Clay.  This  is  doubtless 


Plastic  Clay.  185 

colored  by  the  red  oxide  of  iron,  and  forms  an  important  part  of  the 
cliff.  3.  Red  and  White  Clay.  This  is  a  mixture  of  the  two  first 
varieties,  and  the  two  colors  being  often  fantastically  arranged,  give 
to  the  cliffs  a  gay  appearance.  4.  Bluish  Gray  Plastic  Clay.  This 
is  the  most  compact  of  all  the  varieties.  It  often  becomes  nearly 
black,  where  it  lies  contiguous  to  the  beds  of  lignite :  and  when  in 
contact  with  the  white  and  red  varieties,  a  mixture  of  them  all  re- 
sults. 

2.  Sands.  Next  to  the  clays  the  sands  are  most  abundant :  though 
at  Gay  Head  they  do  not  exist  in  great  quantity.  They  are  there 
sometimes  interstratified  with  the  clays ;  and  indeed,  some  varieties 
of  the  clay  contain  so  large  a  proportion  of  sand,  that  it  is  not  easy 
to  determine  whether  they  should  be  denominated  clays  or  sands. 
Of  the  sands  I  have  noticed  the  following  varieties.  1.  White  Sili- 
ceous Sand;  generally  fine,  but  sometimes  coarse.  This  is  the  vari- 
ety which  is  spread  over  almost  every  part  of  the  southeastern  dis- 
trict of  New  England ;  generally,  however,  mixed  with  pebbles  and 
bowlders,  and  constituting  diluvium.  It  may  be  seen  in  its  greatest 
purity  near  the  extremity  of  Cape  Cod ;  where  it  is  of  snowy  white- 
ness ;  and  also  on  Nantucket.  On  the  Vineyard  it  is  generally  yel- 
lowish from  the  oxide  of  iron.  2.  The  same  sand,  cemented  by  the 
yellow  hydrate  of  iron,  so  as  to  form  a  loose  sandstone.  It  is  easily 
crumbled  down,  however,  and  is  not  abundant.  I  have  noticed  it  at 
Gay  Head ;  in  the  cliff  in  the  eastern  part  of  Chilmark ;  and  on 
Nantucket,  a  mile  northwest  of  the  town.  3.  White  Micaceous  Sand. 
This  is  in  fact  a  mixture  of  silex,  mica,  and  white  clay ;  the  latter 
ingredient,  not  being  present  in  sufficient  quantity  to  hold  the  particles 
together.  Not  abundant.  4.  Green  Sand ;  of  a  distinct  but  dull 
green  color.  It  is  sometimes  so  mixed  with  clay,  as  to  form  a  com- 
pact mass,  even  when  dry.  It  is  interstratified  with  the  red  and  white 
clays  at  Gay  Head,  where  alone  have  I  noticed  it.  It  is  this  stratum 
that  contains  the  greatest  variety  of  the  organic  remains  at  Gay 
Head  ;  and  on  this  account,  its  exact  geological  position  is  important 
to  be  known.  It  has  been  already  remarked,  that  the  strata  in  this 
cliff  dip  nearly  north,  or  rather  a  little  inclining  to  the  northeast,  at 
an  angle  varying  between  20°  and  45°.  Now  the  green  sand  lies 
near  the  northern  extremity  of  the  clifi^  through  it  is  succeeded  by 
other  strata  of  the  same  clays  that  constitute  the  principal  part  of  the 
cliff  Hence  we  may  infer  that  the  green  sand  lies  near  the  upper 
part  of  this  formation,  so  far  as  we  can  judge  from  this  cliff:  though, 
24 


186  Scientific  Geology. 

as  the  horizontal  distance  from  one  extremity  of  the  cliff  to  the  other, 
across  the  strata,  is  not  more  than  80  rods,  and  appears  to  be  merely 
an  insulated  remnant  of  the  formation,  we  cannot  be  sure  that  the 
position  of  the  green  sand  is  near  the  upper  part  of  the  original  for- 
mation. It  ought  here,  also,  to  be  remarked,  that  the  organic  remains 
found  in  this  sand,  such  as  crabs,  shells,  and  alcyonites,  are  rolled  ; 
and  were  obviously  the  ruins  of  some  former  rock.  Indeed,  nodules 
of  a  peculiar  conglomerate  are  found  in  this  sand,  sometimes  con- 
taining organic  remains. 

3.  Lignite.     As  this  constitutes  beds  sometimes  as  much  as  five 
feet  thick,  it  seems  deserving  of  a  description  among  the  strata,  rather 
than  as  an  imbedded  mineral.     It  alternates  with  the  clays,  princi- 
pally with  the  blue  variety,  with  which  it  is  often  intimately  mixed. 
More  commonly  it  is  comminuted  and  forms  a  dark  mass,  some- 
what resembling  peat.     But  sometimes  the  woody  fibre  is  very  dis- 
tinct.    In  short,  it  seems  like  a  deposite  of  peat,  through  which  logs 
are  interspersed.     It  burns  but  poorly.     The  principal  beds  lie  not 
far  from  the  middle  of  the  cliff,  and  have  a  dip  from  40°  to  50°  north. 

4.  Conglomerates.     The   most  interesting  of  these  is  the  osseous 
conglomerate ;    which  consists  of  rounded  quartz  pebbles,  rarely 
more  than  an  inch  in  diameter,  with  a  cement  of  animal  matter,  (?) 
clay,  iron,  and  sometimes  a  minute  portion  of  carbonate  of  lime.      It 
abounds  in  fragments,  mostly  rolled,  of  the  bones  and  teeth  of  ani- 
mals ;  some  of  them  very  large.     It  is  sometimes  as  hard,  and  broken 
with  as  much  difficulty,  as  gray  wacke :  but  in  other  places  the  cohe- 
rence is  not  strong. 

The  strata  of  this  conglomerate  are  from  one  to  three  or  four  feet 
thick,  and  for  some  time  I  supposed  that  it  had  been  deposited  in  a 
small  basin  on  the  edges  of  the  elevated  strata  of  clay  and  sand ;  for 
I  found  the  bed,  which  I  first  discovered,  to  lie  as  in  the  following 
sketch. 


Plastic  Clay.  187 

It  occupies  a  projecting  point  of  the  cliff,  covered  at  the  top,  and  for 
a  considerable  extent  upon  its  sides,  with  sand  and  gravel,  and  exposed 
to  degradation  from  winds  and  rains.  The  edges  of  the  conglomer- 
ate, however,  project  through  the  sand  at  the  extremity  of  the  point 
where  its  curved  position  is  obvious  ;  and  on  one  side  alayer  of  clay 
appears  above  the  conglomerate.  Below  these  beds  the  sand  conceals 
the  regular  strata  in  the  cliff;  but  the  inclined  lines  beneath  the  sand 
and  gravel,  in  the  above  sketch  show  the  dip  of  these  strata  in  the  vi- 
cinity, wherever  they  are  visible ;  nor  could  I  doubt  but  the  conglom- 
erate bed  is  superior  to  the  clay,  and  a  later  formation.  And  I  find 
that  in  some  of  the  tertiary  strata  in  Europe,  above  the  plastic  clay, 
occur  layers  of  calcareous,  ferruginous,  and  bony  breccia ;  as  in  the 
valley  of  the  Danube,  described  by  Mr.  Murchisson.*  But  on  fur- 
ther examination  I  found  in  the  vicinity  of  the  bed  of  conglomerate 
above  described,  two  or  three  other  beds  distinctly  interstratified  with 
the  clay,  and  exhibiting  the  same  dip.  This  rock  does,  therefore,  form 
a  part  of  the  plastic  clay  formation ;  whatever  we  may  think  of  the 
case  described  above.  And  I  cannot  find  that  the  like  deposite,  con- 
taining the  bones  of  vertebral  animals,  occurs  in  any  plastic  clay  for- 
mation described  in  Europe ;  although  in  England,  pebble  beds  alter- 
nate irregularly  with  the  sand  and  clays,  but  it  does  not  appear  that 
these  are  consolidated.! 

Another  variety  of  conglomerate  at  Gay  Head,  consists  of  pebbles, 
chiefly  quartz,  cemented  by  a  great  abundance  of  the  hydrate  of  iron, 
and  often  containing  hollow  nodules  of  the  same.  I  am  not  sure  that 
this  alternates  with  the  layers  of  clay  and  sand.  On  account  of  the 
great  quantity  of  its  debris,  that  has  fallen  down  upon  the  face  of  the 
cliff,  I  found  it  difficult  to  ascertain  its  true  position  in  regard  to  the 
strata  of  clay  and  sand.  I  was  not  without  a  strong  suspicion,  that 
it  might  lie  in  nearly  horizontal  strata  upon  the  top  of  plastic  clay ; 
nay,  I  was  led  to  enquire  whether  it  might  not  be  diluvium  consolida- 
ted by  iron. 

A  third  kind  of  conglomerate  has  been  already  alluded  to,  as  ex- 
isting at  this  cliff,  in  rolled  masses,  a  few  inches  in  diameter,  in  the 
sand  stratum.  It  occurs,  also,  very  commonly  along  the  beach ;  hav- 
ing been  probably  washed  out  from  the  cliff  It  is  unlike  any  rock 
that  I  have  ever  met  with.  The  nodules  are  almost  if  not  entirely 

*  Philosophical  Magazine,  March,  1831,  Vol.  9.  p.  218. 

i  De  la  Bccho's  Manual,  p.  235  :  2d  Edition,  London,  1832. 


188    *  Scientific  Geology. 

quartz,  and  the  cement  a  black  compact  substance,  highly  bituminous, 
and  slightly  effervescing  with  acids.  It  appears  like  bituminous 
marlite,  finely  comminuted.  As  already  mentioned,  in  one  piece  I 
found  the  remains  of  a  Zoophyte. 

At  the  foot  of  the  cliff,  I  also  found  rolled  pieces  of  yellowish  gray 
rock,  hard  and  compact,  approaching  hornstone.  It  appears  like 
argillaceous  sandstone,  which  has  been  subjected  to  powerful  heat  by 
the  proximity  of  trap,  such  as  occurs  at  Mount  Holyoke,  on  Connec- 
ticut river ;  but  I  have  met  with  the  like  rock  nowhere  else  in  the 
State.  (No.  81.) 

In  a  kind  of  ferruginous  sand  in  this  cliff,  I  met  with  one  or  two 
small  specimens  of  a  rock  of  oolitic  aspect ;  (No.  80.)  which,  how- 
ever, effervesces  but  feebly  with  the  acids. 

Specimens  of  all  the  preceding  varieties  of  clay,  sand,  lignite,  and 
conglomerate,  will  be  found  in  the  collection  made  for  the  Govern- 
ment. 

Mineral  Contents. 

The  most  interesting  and  abundant  mineral  at  Gay  Head,  is  the 
hydrate  of  iron.  The  varieties  are  all  argillaceous.  The  most  im- 
portant are  the  following. 

1.  Nodular.     This  is  the  most  abundant  variety,  and  the  nodules 
vary  in  size,  from  that  of  a  walnut  to  a  foot  in  diameter.     Sometimes 
they  are  spherical,  more  frequently  ovoid;  sometimes  ovoid  flattened; 
sometimes  composed  of  concentive  layers  of  the  compact  oxide  and 
yellow  ochre,  with  a  nucleus  sometimes  of  sandstone  at  the  center, 
but  more  frequently  hollow.      These  nodules  are  generally  mixed 
with  a  large  proportion  of  coarse  sand  and  gravel,  which  unitedly 
form,  as  already  remarked,  a  conglomerate.      The  flat  nodules  are 
sometimes  slaty :  and  it  is  on  the  laminae  of  these,  that  the  principal 
part  of  the  vegetable  remains  of   this  formation  occur.      Sometimes 
the  nodule,  when  broken  open,  is  seen  to  envelope  a  flattened  mass  of 
lignite :  showing  conclusively  that  the  ore  originally  accumulated 
around  this  as  a  nucleus. 

Nodular  argillaceous  iron  ore  exists  also  on  Nantucket ;  as  well 
as  in  other  places  on  the  Vineyard. 

2.  Columnar.     Some  of  the  larger  nodules  mentioned  above,  being 
broken  open,  exhibit,  as  the  result  of  desiccation,  a  columnar  struc- 
ture in  the  interior  :  the  columns  varying  in  diameter  from  a  quarter 
of  an  inch,  to  one,  and  even  two  inches ;  and  in  length,  from  half  an 


Hydrate  of  Iron.  189 

inch  to  three  inches.  The  sides  are  generally  unequal  in  size,  and 
various  as  to  their  number.  The  axis  of  the  column  is  always  par- 
allel, I  believe  to  the  shortest  diameter  of  the  nodule.  The  space  be- 
tween the  columns  is  generally  only  sufficient  to  allow  of  the  intro- 
duction of  the  blade  of  a  penknife.  In  some  instances,  where  a 
shrinkage  has  taken  place,  no  regular  forms  are  produced  ;  but  the 
seams  run  in  all  directions.  I  have  not  observed  any  case  where 
the  seams  reach  to  the  surface  of  the  nodule.  The  outer  portion, 
from  half  an  inch  to  an  inch  thick,  is  compact  gray  iron  stone. 

An  examination  of  these  nodules,  leads  one  at  first  almost  irresis- 
tibly to  the  conclusion,  that  they  must  have  been  once  in  a  melted 
state,  and  suddenly  cooled  at  the  surface  :  and  the  glazed  iron-black 
appearance  of  their  internal  surface,  tends  to  confirm  this  opinion. 
And  yet,  I  doubt  whether  it  is  necessary  to  evoke  the  god  of  fire  for 
a  solution  of  this  phenomenon.  For  the  mere  descication  of  nodules, 
containing  so  much  argillaceous  matter,  will,  it  seems  to  me,  ade- 
quately explain  the  appearances.  Of  course  the  external  part  would 
first  part  with  its  moisture  and  become  solid :  and  as  the  water  grad- 
ually escaped  subsequently  from  the  interior,  the  shrinking  would  pro- 
duce fissures  within ;  since  the  already  compacted  crust  would  not 
permit  the  compression  of  the  whole  mass.  And  as  to  the"  shape  of 
the  pieces,  resulting  from  the  shrinkage,  it  seems  to  me  that  if  the 
nodule  be  spherical,  the  fissures  will  coincide  essentially  with  planes 
passing  through  the  center  of  the  sphere.  (See  No.  126.)  But  if 
the  shape  be  that  of  a  flattened  ellipsoid,  the  greatest  shrinkage  must 
take  place  in  the  direction  of  the  plane,  which  coincides  with  the  two 
longest  diameters  of  the  ellipsoid  :  and,  therefore,  most  of  the  fissures 
will  be  made  perpendicular  to  that  plane,  so  as  to  produce  columnar 
masses  ;  although  there  will  be  a  proportionable  shrinkage  in  a  di- 
rection perpendicular  to  the  plane  above  mentioned,  which  will  pro- 
duce at  least  one  termination  to  the  columns  :  and  all  the  specimens 
which  I  have  examined,  confirm  this  rationale  of  the  appearances ; 
(See  Nos.  124,  125.)  as  does  also  the  desiccation  of  clay  on  the  sur- 
face of  the  earth,  producing  columnar  masses,  which  stand  perpen- 
dicular to  the  horizon.  I  apprehend  it  will  be  found,  that  the  true 
columnar  structure  exists  only  in  those  nodules  which  are  flattened. 

The  existence,  sometimes,  of  lignite  in  the  center  of  these  nodules, 
is  another  evidence  that  they  never  could  have  been  completely  fused, 
since  the  pieces  of  wood  that  were  enveloped,  must  have  been  entirely 
destroyed.  I  am  aware  that  coal  is  sometimes  found  in  trap  rocks,  or 


190  Scientific  Geology. 

between  the  trap  and  sandstones :  but  in  such  cases,  I  apprehend  that 
the  fusion  of  the  trap  was  only  partial,  as  we  know  to  be  the  case 
with  many  lavas. 

Further  :  how  could  nodules  of  iron,  in  the  midst  of  clay  and  sand 
beds,  have  been  exposed  to  a  fusible  heat,  and  yet  the  clays  and  sands 
have  remained  unconsolidated  1 

3.  Mamillary.     The  tubercles  of  this  variety  are  rarely  smaller 
than  a  buck  shot,  or  larger  than  an  ounce  ball.     When  broken,  they 
exhibit  no  appearance  of  a  radiated  structure ;  but  are  massive,  though 
scales  of  mica  and  grains  of  sand  are  observable  in  every  part  of  this 
ore.     (No.  120.)     I  cannot  find  that  this  variety  of  iron  is  described 
in  the  books  on  mineralogy.     I  am  informed  by  Thomas  A.   Green, 
Esq.  that  it  exists  in  much  larger  quantities  in  the  cliffs,  four  miles 
east  of  Gay  Head,  in  the  west  part  of  Chilmark,  a  little  east  of   Mo- 
nimshi  Bite,  than  at  Gay  Head,  where  I  found  it. 

4.  Pisiform.     The  grains  are  rarely  exactly  sphericalrand  seldom 
exceed  the  size  of  a  small  pea.     Not  unfrequently  they  are  distinctly 
reniform.     Color,  externally,  blackish  brown  ;    internally,  yellowish 
brown.      Aggregated  into  irregular  masses  with  clay  and  gravel. 
This  ore  seems  sometimes  to  be  the  mineralizer  of  alcyonia,  shells, 
&c.     It  is  not  abundant. 

5.  Ochrey  Brown  Iron  Ore.     This  occurs  mixed  sometimes  with 
every  variety  above  described  ;  particularly  with  the  nodular.     But 
it  is  never  seen  in  large  masses. 

It  is  well  known  that  the  preceding  are  valuable  ores  of  iron  for 
smelting ;  and  at  Gay  Head,  particularly,  they  may  be  obtained  in 
abundance.  That  spot  is  still  in  possession  of  the  descendants  of  the 
Indians  of  Martha's  Vineyard:  and  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  the  Gov- 
ernment of  the  State  will  take  measures  to  prevent  their  being  de- 
frauded of  this  ore,  which  may  prove  of  considerable  value. 

Radiated  Sulphuret  of  Iron.  This  is  very  frequent  and  beautiful 
in  the  osseous  conglomerate  and  blue  clay  of  Gay  Head.  The  nod- 
ules are  sometimes  perfect  spheres  ;  from  one  to  three  inches  in  di- 
ameter ;  but  generally  more  or  less  irregular ;  the  surface  often  ex- 
hibiting  one  face  of  numerous  cubic  crystals  :  but  on  breaking  the 
mass,  the  radiation  is  obvious.  Such,  however,  is  the  tendency  of 
this  ore  to  decomposition,  that  it  is  difficult  to  preserve  specimens  long 
in  a  cabinet,  unless  excluded  from  the  atmosphere.  Their  decompo- 
sition produces  of  course  sulphate  of  iron,  and  sulphate  of  alumina 
and  potash,  or  alum,  which  effloresce  on  the  clay. 


Organic  Remains.  191 

Sulphate  of  Lime,  or  Selenite,  exists  at  the  same  place  in  tables 
and  acicular  prisms,  disseminated  in  blue  clay.  (No.  131.) 

It  is  said  that  amber  has  been  found  floating  in  the  ocean  near  the 
cliff  at  Gay  Head.  I  also  found  it  in  small  quantities,  connected 
with  a  vegetable  relic  in  iron  ore,  at  the  same  place.  At  Nantucket, 
a  mass  of  light  colored  amber  was  found,  three  or  four  inches  in  di- 
ameter, which  is  now  in  the  cabinet  of  T.  A.  Green,  Esq.  of  New 
Bedford. 

Native  arsenic  is  said  to  have  been  found  at  Gay  Head ;  but  I  saw 
none. 

Organic  Remains. 

Although  these  are  apparently  not  as  numerous  in  the  plastic  clay 
of  Massachusetts,  as  in  that  formation  in  Europe,  yet  since  vegetable 
and  animal  relics  are  rare  in  New  England ;  and  some  of  those  in 
the  plastic  clay  are  not  found  in  the  same  formation  in  Europe,  so  far 
as  I  can  ascertain ;  I  have  felt  not  a  little  interest  in  those  which  I 
have  succeeded  in  obtaining,  with  much  labor  and  effort.  But  I  re- 
gret, that  in  consequence  of  my  insulated  situation  in  respect  to  those 
gentlemen  in  our  country  who  have  paid  particular  attention  to  our 
fossils,  and  the  short  time  which  has  elapsed  since  I  discovered  those 
under  consideration,  which  has  prevented  my  consulting  more  than 
one  or  two  of  these  gentlemen,  and  every  European  zoologist,  I  shall 
not  be  able  to  give  their  generic  and  specific  names  as  accurately  and 
confidently  as  I  could  wish.  And  the  same  remarks  will  apply  to  all 
the  organic  remains  which  I  shall  describe  in  this  Report.  But  as  I 
shall  give  accurate  drawings  of  the  most  important  species,  when- 
ever it  is  practicable,  I  trust  the  deficiency  will  not  be  great.  I  had 
rather  be  regarded  as  very  ignorant  on  this  subject,  than  by  substitut- 
ing conjectures  for  knowledge,  lead  others  to  form  false  conclusions. 
It  is  a  subject  perhaps  the  most  difficult  of  all  connected  with  geol- 
ogy ;  especially  in  this  country,  where  there  is  so  great  a  deficiency 
of  good  collections  of  fossil  remains. 

Fossil  Vegetables. 

The  lignite  beds  already  described,  prove  the  presence  of  a  large 
quantity  of  vegetable  matter  in  this  formation.  This  lignite  is  some- 
times ligniform,  of  a  brown  color,  and  distinctly  fibrous :  at  others, 
it  is  hard  and  brittle ;  and  more  commonly,  it  is  friable.  I  found  a 
mass  at  the  foot  of  the  cliff,  which  abounded  in  the  impressions  of  a 


192  Scientific  Geology. 

monocotyledonous  plant,  bearing  the  closest  resemblance  to  a  Zos- 
tera.  The  mass  resembled  peat. 

But  most  of  the  vegetable  impressions  at  this  cliff  are  dicotyle- 
donous ;  and  exist  only  in  slaty  argillaceous  iron.  Although  these 
impressions  are  very  distinct,  exhibiting  the  minutest  reticulations  of 
the  leaf,  yet  every  particle  of  the  vegetable  substance  is  removed. 
This  is  true  only  of  those  instances  where  the  impressions  are  leaves. 
(Plate  XL  Figs.  1,  2,  &  6.*)  The  shape  of  most  of  these  leaves 
very  much  resembles  that  of  an  Ulmus  ;  bat  they  are  wanting  in  the 
serratures,  which  the  existing  species  in  this  country  possess.  Fig. 
6  has  serratures,  or  rather  is  crenate,  and  resembles  a  Salix.  On 
Fig.  2,  may  be  seen  the  impressions  of  pear-shaped  seeds. 

Figs.  7,  8,  and  9,  represent  different  individuals  of  another  variety 
of  vegetable  remains,  occurring  at  the  same  spot,  and  in  the  same 
iron  ore.  These  are  not  mere  impressions ;  but  a  scale  of  carbon- 
aceous matter,  mixed  with  amber,  marks  the  spot  where  the  vegeta- 
ble was  imprisoned.  The  amber  occupies  longitudinal  ridges,  which 
in  the  plate  are  represented  by  white  stripes.  It  seems  to  me  very  ob- 
vious, that  these  remains  must  be  the  seed  vessels  of  coniferous  plants. 
The  amber  shows  that  they  abounded  in  resin.  They  resemble  un- 
opened flowers  of  syngenesian  plants :  but  they  contain  too  much 
resin  for  these,  and  have  left  too  much  undecomposed  matter  for  so 
frail  a  substance.  Indeed,  although  the  compound  flowers,  with  their 
double  calyx  and  strong  receptacle,  might  stand  a  better  chance  of 
being  preserved  in  a  fossil  state  than  those  of  any  other  kind  of  plant, 
yet  I  am  not  aware  that  a  flower  of  any  sort  has  been  found  in  that 
condition.  Near  one  of  the  specimens  of  the  vegetable  under  con- 
sideration, I  observed  an  ovoid  carpolithes,  about  a  quarter  of  an  inch 
long,  exhibiting  the  shell  most  distinctly,  and  different  from  the  pear- 
shaped  ones  just  mentioned. 

Animal  Remains. 

Vertebral  Animals.  The  bones  and  teeth  of  these  animals  are 
more  numerous  at  Gay  Head  than  any  other  organic  relics.  They  are 
found  in  the  greatest  abundance  in  the  osseous  conglomerate,  already 
described :  but  they  occur  also  in  the  green  sand,  and  in  a  yellowish 
sand,  associated  with  the  green  sand.  For  the  most  part,  the  bones 
are  not  mineralized ;  but  frequently  they  are  black  when  broken  ;  and 

*  All  the  organic  remains  that  are  figured  are  drawn  of  the  natural  size. 


Animal  Remains.  193 

sometimes  they  are  thoroughly  impregnated  with  iron  ore.  In  gen- 
eral they  are  much  broken  and  often  rolled.  In  one  instance,  how- 
ever, I  noticed  a  succession  of  large  vertebrae,  one  or  two  occasion- 
ally being  absent,  for  a  distance  of  10  or  12  feet.  Some  of  these  are 
9  inches  thick,  and  as  much  in  length.  The  head  in  this  instance 
was  wanting  ;  and,  indeed,  nearly  all  the  other  bones,  except  the  ver- 
tebrae. But  it  is  improbable  that  these  could  have  been  moved  in 
so  connected  a  state,  far  from  the  spot  where  this  huge  animal  died. 
In  the  green  and  ferruginous  sand,  vertebrae  are  found  only  occa- 
sionally ;  and  they  are  generally  much  smaller  than  those  in  the  con- 
glomerate ;  but  they  are  not  rolled. 

It  ought  perhaps  to  be  mentioned,  that  the  largest  vertebrae  noticed 
above,  occur  in  the  curved  bed  of  conglomerate  which  lies  apparently 
upon  the  edges  of  the  other  strata.  And  yet,  the  conglomerate  and 
the  contained  bones,  interstratified  with  the  clay,  cannot  be  distin- 
guished from  those  of  this  upper  bed,  except  that  in  this  single  in- 
stance the  bones  are  rather  larger  and  less  broken  and  rounded. 

Such  of  these  vertebrae,  as  I  thought  it  would  be  of  any  use  to 
have  drawn,  are  exhibited  on  Plate  XII.  Figs.  23,  24,  £5,  and  28. 
Pieces  of  the  ribs,  (some  of  them  4  or  5  inches  in  their  greatest  di- 
ameter,) bones  of  the  head,  &c.  are  in  general  so  broken,  that  a  sketch 
of  them  would  be  useless.  They  will  be  found  among  the  speci- 
mens. All  the  vertebrae  that  are  drawn,  are  from  the  green  and 
ferruginous  sand. 

The  teeth  that  accompany  these  bones,  give  us  some  clue  to 
the  nature  of  the  animals  here  entombed.  All  the  varieties  of  these 
teeth  which  I  could  find,  after  a  protracted  search,  are  exhibited  on 
Plate  XI.  Figs.  11,  12,  13,  14,  15,  and  16.  The  flat  teeth,  Figs. 
11,  12,  and  13,  are  evidently  those  of  the  shark:  and  Fig.  12,  must 
have  belonged  to  a  giant  species.  Probably  also  the  triangular  teeth, 
Figs.  14  and  15,  belong  to  the  shark  ;  and  these  are  more  numerous 
than  the  others,  and  rather  more  broken;  though  all  of  them  are 
very  often  much  injured. 

Fig.  16  appears  to  be  the  fragment  of  a  crocodile's  tooth  ;  corres- 
ponding with  one  figured  in  Cuvier's  Ossemens  Fossiles.  It  was  found 
in  the  ferruginous  sand,  and  it  differs  from  all  the  petrifactions  noticed 
at  this  cliff,  in  that  it  is  converted  into  a  substance  exactly  resembling 
flint.  It  is  hence  not  at  all  probable,  that  any  of  the  bones  that  have 
been  described,  were  connected  with  this  tooth. 

It  ought  to  be  noticed,  that  sometimes  masses  of  lignite  are  con- 
25 


194  Scientific  Geology. 

tained  in  this  osseous  conglomerate :  and  that  in  two  instances,  I 
found  the  bones  penetrated  by  a  cylindrical  cavity,  two  or  three  inches 
long ;  pretty  obviously  the  work  of  some  lithodomous  shell. 

We  ascertain,  then,  with  considerable  confidence,  the  remains  of 
the  crocodile  and  two  or  three  species  of  sharks  in  this  cliff.  Very 
probably  an  experienced  comparative  anatomist  may  detect  other  spe- 
cies among  the  bones  which  I  have  obtained. 

The  largest  shark's  tooth  given  on  the  plate,  (Fig.  12,)  is  consid- 
erably broken ;  and,  therefore,  its  exact  dimensions  cannot  be  ascer- 
tained :  but  the  following  measurement  certainly  does  not  exceed  the 
truth. 

Greatest  breadth  of  the  part  covered  with  enamel,  meas- 
ured across  the  base,  2  inches. 

The  length  measured  on  the  enamel  of  the  concave  part 
of  the  tooth,  2  inches. 

If  we  estimate  the  size  of  the  shark  to  which  this  tooth  belonged, 
according  to  the  principles  adopted  by  the  Count  Lacepede  and  Fau- 
jas  St.  Fond,  in  the  "  Annales  de  Museum,"  its  length  must -have  been 
about  50  feet !  Dr.  Knox,  however,  thinks  this  estimate  too  high.* 
But  he  describes  a  shark  killed  on  the  coast  of  Africa,  as  having  teeth 
which  measured  11-2  inch  in  the  directions  mentioned  above.  Sup- 
posing the  relative  size  of  the  teeth  to  indicate  the  relative  size  of  the 
animals,  the  fossil  shark  at  Gay  Head  must  have  been  about  36  feet 
long !  And  some  of  the  vertebrae  there,  that  have  been  described, 
correspond  with  a  bulk  so  enormous.  Such  was  one  of  the  animals 
that  swam  in  the  ancient  seas  of  this  latitude !  And  this  result  cor- 
responds with  the  conclusions  of  European  geologists,  that  the  ex- 
tinct animals  were  generally  much  larger  than  those  now  existing. 
The  tooth  of  the  crocodile  at  Gay  Head,  as  well  as  the  great  size  of 
some  of  the  sharks  bones,  show,  also,  that  when  these  animals  swam 
in  the  waters  of  our  continent,  the  climate  must  have  approximated 
to  a  tropical  character :  a  conclusion,  which,  in  respect  to  Europe, 
has  been  well  established  by  a  multitude  of  similar  facts. 

I  have  already  remarked  that  I  had  not  met  with  any  account  of 
an  osseous  conglomerate  like  that  at  Gay  Head,  in  any  of  the  Euro- 
pean formations  of  plastic  clay.  But  bones  of  vertebral  animals  do 
occur  in  one  place,  at  least,  in  the  clay  beds  of  the  Paris  basin.  "  M. 
Bequerel,"  say  Cuvier  and  Brogniart,  "  has  found  in  the  same  bank 

*  Edinburgh  Journal  of  Science,  Vol.  5.  p.  16. 


Crustacea  and  Zoophyta.  195 

of  clay  and  lignite,  (at  Auteuil,)  pyrites  in  great  quantities,  bones  of 
vertebral  animals,  whose  class  has  not  up  to  this  time  (1825)  been 
determined,"  &c.* 

In  1830,  Prevost  says  that  "the  remains  of  reptiles  (Crocodiles) 
and  fluviatile  shells  characterise  the  plastic  clay  of  the  environs  of 
Paris."f 

In  the  cliff  in  the  southeast  part  of  Chilmark,  I  found  a  fragment 
of  bone,  which  undoubtedly  once  belonged  to  a  bird.  It  was  hollow 
and  apparently  about  as  much  changed  as  most  of  the  bones  at  Gay 
Head.  It  was  so  enveloped  in  the  clay  that  I  could  have  little  sus- 
picion that  it  was  introduced  subsequently  to  the  deposition  of  the 
clay. 

Crustacea.  In  the  green  sand  at  Gay  Head  we  meet  with  well 
characterised  specimens  of  the  genus  Cancer ;  although  they  are  in 
general  much  broken ;  showing  that  they  originally  belonged  to  a 
formation  which  was  abraded  or  destroyed  anterior  to  the  production 
of  the  green  sand.  The  interior  part  of  the  specimen  consists  of  ar- 
gillaceous matter,  probably  containing  a  large  proportion  of  oxide  of 
iron :  but  the  covering  of  the  animal  still  retains  its  black  shining 
color,  although  apparently  carbonaceous.  The  broken  state  of  nearly 
all  the  specimens,  renders  it  difficult  to  determine  whether  they  be- 
longed to  more  than  one  species,  although  they  probably  did :  and 
for  the  same  reason  I  have  thought  that  many  drawings  would  not 
be  of  use.  (Plate  XII.  Fig.  31.) 

Fossil  crabs  have  not,  I  believe,  been  found  in  the  European  plastic 
clay ;  but  they  occur  in  the  London  clay,  which  is  probably  only  the 
upper  beds  of  that  formation, 

Zoophyta.  In  the  bituminous  conglomerate  that  occurs  in  rolled 
masses  in  the  same  green  sand,  I  found  a  branching  zoophyte,  which 
may  perhaps  belong  to  the  genus  madrepora ;  though  its  characters  are 
indistinct. 

In  the  same  green  sand,  and  also  in  the  ferruginous  sand  associ- 
ated with  it,  we  find  numerous  concretions  whose  interior  part  ap- 
pears to  be  compact  argillaceous  oxide  of  iron,  with  the  pisiform  ore 
disseminated.  Their  shape  is  so  exceedingly  like  that  of  several  of 
the  alcyonia,  that  I  suspect  they  are  petrifactions  of  those  singular 
animals.  They  are  generally  more  or  less  rolled,  though  not  as 

*  Ossemens  Fossiles,  Tome  3d,  p.  342, 

T  Dictionnairc  de  Historic  Naturelle,  Art.  Terrains. 


196  Scientific  Geology. 

much  so  as  the  crabs.  Plate.  XII.  Figs.  26  and  27  represent  two 
of  these  relics.  Both  of  them  resemble  species  of  the  genus  Manon 
figured  in  Goldfuss'  Petrifacta.  Fig.  27  looks  like  his  Manon  peziza. 

On  the  surface  of  some  of  these  specimens  small  pebbles  are  some- 
times seen  :  and  I  have  occasionally  found  them  disseminated  through 
the  specimen.  In  such  case  it  may  reasonably  be  doubted  whether 
an  animal  once  occupied  the  place  of  the  nodule.  Yet  if  the  prin- 
cipal part  of  it  be  hydrate  of  iron,  I  can  conceive  how  a  few  peb- 
bles might  be  introduced  along  with  the  iron  as  it  gradually  took  the 
place  of  the  animal.  Still,  I  am  not  in  a  little  doubt  as  to  the  origin 
of  these  nodules. 

Testacea.  I  found  in  the  green  and  ferruginous  sand  at  Gay 
Head,  the  casts  of  three  genera,  and  as  many  species  of  shells.  As 
the  shell  itself  is  wanting,  the  characters  are  indistinct :  and  there,  is 
evidence  that  the  specimens  have  been  more  or  less  rolled  :  but  the 
two  bivalves  are  probably  referable  to  the  genera  Venus  and  Tellina, 
and  the  univalve  to  the  genus  Turbo.  The  mineralizer  is  the  same 
ferruginous  clay,  or  perhaps  argillaceous  oxide  of  iron,  which  has 
petrified  the  crabs  and  zoophytes.  Hence  they  all  probably  had  the 
same  origin.  '  Plate  XI,  Fig.  3,  is  a  sketch  of  the  Venus :  Fig.  5,  of 
the  Tellina:  Fig.  4,  of  the  Turbo.  The  latter  is  obviously  some- 
what broken.  I  could  find  only  two  specimens  of  it.  Of  the  Venus, 
I  found  only  three  or  four :  but  I  obtained  20  or  30  of  the  Tellina. 

Dip,  Direction,  Thickness,  and  Superposition  of  the  Strata. 

In  giving  the  character  of  the  varieties  of  this  formation,  I  have 
anticipated  much  that  properly  belongs  to  this  place. 

One  peculiarity  in  the  clay  of  this  formation,  both  on  the  Vineyard 
and  on  Cape  Cod,  is  the  very  general  want  of  a  slaty  structure.  The 
strata  seams  are  also  often  indistinct ;  so  that  it  needs  careful  exam- 
ination to  ascertain  the  dip  or  direction  of  the  beds.  Sometimes, 
however,  the  schistose  layers  are  obvious,  as  in  some  part  of  the  clifT 
in  the  southeast  part  of  Chilmark. 

I  have  already  remarked,  that  the  strata  at  Gay  Head  dip  from 
20°  to  45°  a  little  to  the  east  of  north ;  and  of  course  they  run  nearly 
east  and  west.  Without  careful  examination,  however,  that  cliff 
would  be  regarded  as  an  unstratified  mass  of  clay,  sand,  and  lig- 
nite. And  in  respect  to  some  part  of  it,  particularly  its  southern 
part,  I  am  still  in  doubt  whether  the  dip  and  direction  of  the  beds 
correspond  to  the  above  statement. 


Section  in  Plastic  Clay. 


197 


At  the  cliff  in  the  east  part  of  Chilmark,  some  of  the  clay  is 
schistose,  and  there  we  find  the  following  section.  A  considerable 
part  of  the  cliff  there,  from  20  to  30  feet  high,  is  covered  by  dilu- 
vium, which  has  slidden  down  from  the  upper  part.  But  where  the 
strata  are  exposed  to  view,  they  present  the  curved,  contorted,  and 
inclined  appearance  exhibited  below.  The  general  dip,  it  will  be 
seen,  is  towards  the  south,  as  the  left  hand  side  of  the  sketch  is  the 
southern  extremity  of  the  cliff  The  sketch  embraces  a  horizontal 
distance  of  about  five  rods.  The  geologist  sees  at  once,  that  such  a 
cliff  needs  only  to  be  consolidated,  in  order  to  constitute  a  graywacke 
formation ;  as  I  shall  show  by  presenting  a  similar  sketch  from  a 
ledge  of  graywacke  in  Newport,  R.  Island,  when  I  come  to  treat  of 
that  rock. 


Section  in  the  Plastic  Clay  :  Chilmark. 
Inference. 

After  the  preceding  description,  it  seems  to  me  that  no  geologist 
will  hesitate  to  refer  this  formation  to  the  Plastic  Clay  of  European 
authors.  The  variegated  clays,  the  interstratified  lignites  with  am- 
ber, and  the  intermixture  of  marine  animals  with  terrestrial  vegeta- 
ble remains,  must  settle  the  question.  Some  peculiarities,  have,  in- 
deed, been  pointed  out  in  the  formation  at  the  Vineyard.  But  they 
are  fewer  than  we  might  expect  in  depositions  so  widely  separated 
from  one  another  as  this  is  from  those  in  Europe. 

Other  places  covered  with  the  Plastic  Clay. 

Nantucket. 

I  colored  this  island  as  underlaid  with  plastic  clay,  not  without 
strong  suspicions  that  its  surface  may  be  composed  of  a  formation 
higher  up  in  the  series.  Its  surface  is  entirely  spread  over  with 
sand,  whose  upper  part  has  been  disturbed  by  diluvial  action,  and  in 


198  Scientific  Geology. 

perhaps  no  place  do  its  cliffs  rise  more  than  100  feet  above  the  ocean. 
But  clay  exists  beneath  this  stratum  of  sand,  and  is  somewhat  varie- 
gated, though  generally  bluish.  In  this  clay  I  found  a  single  fossil 
much  disintegrated :  but  it  was  a  native  of  the  formation,  and  was  con- 
tained in  ferruginous  sand  interstratified  with  the  clay.  It  resembles  the 
genus  found  in  the  newest  tertiary,  as  mentioned  in  the  proper  place. 
Twenty  or  thirty  feet  higher,  in  this  same  cliff,  I  found  worn  specimens 
of  Natica  heros,  (Say)  and  Pyrula  carica,  (Lamark):  but  I  am  inclined 
to  regard  them  as  either  diluvial  or  alluvial.  Yet  Lt.  Prescott  informs 
me  that  similar  shells  are  found  all  over  the  island,  from  1 0  to  60  feet 
below  the  surface:  and  he  presented  me  with  an  uninjured  specimen 
of  the  Pyrula  carica  dug  up  by  a  well  digger,  several  years  ago,  30 
or  40  feet  below  the  surface,  along  with  many  other  shells  ;  among 
which,  were  Mactra  solidissima,  Venus  mercenaria,  and  castanea, 
Crepidula  fornicata,  Solen  ensis,  Pecten,  Area,  &c. :  all  of  which 
now  inhabit  the  neighboring  ocean.  Can  it  be  that  the  diluvium  is 
so  thick  as  30  or  40  feet  ?  Or  must  we  suppose  that  the  spot  where 
the  town  of  Nantucket  now  stands,  where  these  shells  were  dug  up, 
is  alluvial  ?  Or  finally,  can  we  admit  that  the  upper  stratum  of  sand 
on  this  island  is  one  of  the  most  recent  of  the  tertiary  formations  ? 
The  second  supposition  may  probably  prove  the  true  one. 

I  was  not  able  satisfactorily  to  ascertain  the  dip  of  the  clay  beds 
on  Nantucket.  But  Lt.  Prescott,  on  whose  accuracy  of  observation 
I  place  great  reliance,  is  confident  that  they  dip  a  few  degrees  to  the 
south :  and  my  own  examination  of  some  quite  limited  clay  pits, 
rather  confirms  this  opinion. 

What  is  the  actual  dip  of  the  Plastic  Clay  ? 

In  no  other  place,  except  those  above  described,  have  I  observed 
the  dip  of  this  formation.  But  it  will  be  seen  that  there  is  great  dis- 
crepancy in  the  dip  as  observed  at  two  places  on  the  Vineyard,  and 
on  Nantucket :  and  I  confess  my  inability  to  determine  whether  there 
is  any  prevailing  dip  in  these  strata.  It  is  interesting  to  ascertain 
that  it  has  a  dip  at  all ;  since  it  seems  thus  more  nearly  identified 
with  the  well  known  plastic  clay  of  the  Isle  of  Wight,  so  well  des- 
cribed by  Mr.  Webster;  'and  since  also  this  fact  has  such  an  impor- 
tant bearing  upon  the  theory  of  the  formation.  But  it  is  doubtful 
whether  its  predominant  dip  can  be  determined  from  patches  so  lim- 
ited as  those  which  are  found  in  Massachusetts. 

Elie  de  Beaumont  represents  "  the  extensive  deposites,  in  part  ter- 


Plastic  Clay.  199 

tiary,  and  in  part  diluvial,  which  lie  between  the  Alleganies  and  the 
ocean  on  the  east,  from  Nantucket  to  Florida,  as  resting  directly  on 
the  inclined  edges  of  the  older  rocks,  and  exhibiting  themselves  no 
traces  of  dislocation."*  But  unless  my  senses  have  greatly  deceived 
me,  We  have  on  Martha's  Vineyard  most  decisive  evidence  of  dislo- 
cation in  one  of  the  higher  members  of  these  deposites :  for  Dr.  Mor- 
ton has  proved,  that  farther  to  the  south,  a  part  of  the  beds  of  this  vast 
formation  are  equivalents  of  the  higher  secondary  strata  in  Europe. 
If,  therefore,  the  inclined  position  of  the  strata  on  the  Vineyard  be  not 
a  solitary  case,  resulting  from  local  disturbances,  Beaumont's  position 
is  untenable,  and  his  inferences,  dependant  on  that  position,  incorrect. 

In  Truro. 

Truro  is  the  extreme  town  but  one  on  Cape  Cod ;  and  on  the  east- 
ern shore  is  a  patch  of  plastic  clay,  large  enough  for  one  or  two  good 
farms,  and  on  which  stands  a  light-house,  as  at  Gay  Head.  The 
clays  here  are  somewhat  variegated  ;  though  4he  predominant  color 
is  blue.  They  exhibit  also,  the  same  unstratified  aspect,  as  at  Gay 
Head  ;  and  are,  I  doubt  not,  another  remnant  of  the  same  formation. 
I  did  not,  however,  give  the  spot  that  protracted  examination  which 
would  be  necessary  to  ascertain  the  dip  of  the  strata,  and  whether 
they  contain  any  organic  remains :  not  being  then  aware  that  the  for- 
mation had  such  important  connections  as  I  now  suppose  it  to  have. 
The  spot  deserves  further  examination. 

In  Duxbury. 

Clay  is  not  unfrequently  found  beneath  the  sands  of  Cape  Cod; 
though  I  am  not  aware  that  any  cliffs  of  considerable  height  occur 
except  in  Truro ;  nor  that  any  organic  remains  of  interest  have  been 
found  in  it.  But  in  Duxbury,  in  Plymouth  county,  I  have  ascertain- 
ed,since  the  publication  of  the  first  edition  of  the  first  part  of  my  Report, 
that  strata  and  organic  remains  exist  there,  identical  with  those  at  Gay 
I  am  much  indebted  to  the  Rev.  Benjamin  Kent,  of  that  place,  for  Head, 
communicating  to  me  a  very  detailed  account  of  these  strata  and  rel- 
ics, made  out  after  personal  examination.  It  appears  that  30  years 
ago,  a  well  was  dug  near  the  edge  of  a  plain  of  considerable  extent, 
about  41-2  miles  from  the  sea,  and  nearly  surrounded  a  by  swamp. 
Coarse  gravel  (diluvium)  occupied  the  surface  ;  next  came  a  layer  of 

*  Recherches,  &c.  p.  320,  Chap.  I. 


200  Scientific  Geology. 

"  vegetable  earth,"  in  which,  20  feet  from  the  surface,  was  found  "  a 
large  fallen  oak  (?)  tree."  Next  a  stratum  of  tough  blue  clay,  six 
inches  thick ;  next  strata  of  "  iron  ore,  or  gravel  impregnated  with 
it :  "  "  below  this,  lay  the  shells,  &c.  in  apparently  fresh  marsh  mud." 
(green  sand?)  Here  were  found  a  very  perfect  shark's  tooth,  (Plate 
XIII.  Fig.  37,)  the  cast  of  a  small  species  of  Venus,  (Fig.  40,)  and 
the  same  species  of  Turbo  as  occurs  at  Gay  Head.  (Plate  XII.  Fig. 
4.)  Mr.  Kent  took  the  trouble  of  having  a  shaft  sank  on  the  margin 
of  the  swamp  in  the  vicinity  of  this  well,  and  the  strata  penetrated, 
correspond  with  those  mentioned  above.  The  water  rushing  into  the 
opening,  however,  prevented  him  from  examining  thoroughly  for  pet- 
rifactions. 

Another  well  was  opened  10  years  ago,  80  rods  nearer  the  sea 
than  the  first  mentioned,  and  at  a  lower  level.  After  digging  13  feet, 
through  strata  similar  to  those  in  the  first  well,  they  came  to  a  solid 
layer  of  ferruginous  sand  stone,  which  arrested  their  progress. 
"  Angry  with  disappointment,"  said  the  owner  of  the  well,  "  my  man 
brought  a  thundering  blow  upon  the  rock,  and  through  it  went ;  and 
up  spouted  the  water.  We  then  cleared  away  and  found  a  plate  of 
iron  (ore)  about  two  inches  thick :  under  this  plate  lay  a  bed  of  strong 
marsh  mud,  full  of  cohogs  and  clams,  and  cockles,  about  two  bushels 
of  which  we  took  out.  In  the  center  lay  plainly  a  land  animal's 
bone,  as  large  as  my  wrist,  and  six  inches  long,  fractured,  which  was 
given  to  some  Society  in- Boston."  This  fine  collection  has  nearly 
disappeared.  Mr.  Kent,  however,  sent  me  a  single  specimen,  a  cast 
of  a  Venus,  much  abraded,  not  to  be  distinguished  in  size  and  shape 
from  that  sketched  on  Plate  XII.  Fig.  3.  The  mineralizer  in  this 
case  is  clay  ;  not  so  much  indurated  but  that  it  may  be  cut  without 
difficulty.  And  this  is  the  case  with  all  the  Duxbury  specimens,  ex- 
cept the  shark's  tooth,  which  is  not  mineralized,  or  only  partially  so. 
In  the  specimen  from  the  second  well  mentioned  above,  in  the  cavity 
occupied  by  the  hinge,  is  a  small  quantity  of  green  sand,  exactly  like 
that  at  Gay  Head ;  which  proves  satisfactorily  the  identity  of  the 
marsh  mud  and  the  green  sand :  and  that  the  green  sand  of  Gay 
Head  is  identical  with  that  in  England,  a  comparison  of  specimens 
shows. 

Thus  it  appears  that  the  proof  is  as  strong  as  could  be  desired,  of 
the  entire  similarity  between  the  plastic  clay  of  Gay  Head,  and  the 
fossiliferous  formation  above  described,  at  Duxbury.  True,  no  varie- 
gated clays  are  mentioned  at  Duxbury :  nor,  if  I  rightly  recollect,  do 


Plastic  Clay.  201 

any  variegated  clays  occur  above  the  green  sand  at  Gay  Head :  but  a 
blue  clay  only.  And  probably  by  penetrating  deeper  at  Duxbury,  the 
variegated  clays  might  be  brought  to  light.  A  question  hence  arises 
whether  the  green  sand  ought  to  be  regarded  as  belonging  to  the  plas- 
tic clay  ?  Some  writers  do,  indeed,  limit  the  plastic  clay  formation 
to  the  variegated  clays  :  but  that  the  lignites  and  green  sand  belong 
to  the  same  formation,  (understanding  by  that  term,  a  consecutive  and 
parallel  series  of  strata  produced  during  the  same  geological  period,) 
there  can  be  no  doubt.  Not  improbably,  however,  the  green  sand  in 
this  country  occupies  the  same  situation  with  regard  to  the  variega- 
ted clays,  as  the  London  clay  does  in  England  with  respect  to  those 
clays.  But  probably  the  London  clay  ought  not  to  be  separated  from 
the  plastic  clay. 

The  facts  discovered  at  Duxbury  render  it  extremely  probable  that 
the  extensive  sandy  deposites  in  Plymouth  and  Barnstable  counties 
are  underlaid  by  plastic  clays;  although  the  powerful  diluvial  action 
to  which  that  region  has  been  subjected,  may  have  spread  these  sands 
over  other  formations.  The  sands  that  occur  along  the  west  side  of 
Narraganset  Bay,  in  Rhode  Island,  in  the  vicinity  of  Providence, 
may  probably  belong  to  the  same  formation.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that 
when  more  of  the  cliffs  and  pits  in  this  formation  have  been  exam- 
ined, a  richer  variety  of  organic  remains  will  be  brought  to  light. 

Relative  Position  of  Plastic  Clay. 

In  Europe  plastic  clay  lies  immediately  above  the  chalk.  But  in 
this  country  the  chalk  appears  to  be  wanting  ;  and  Dr.  Morton  has 
shown  satisfactorily  that  its  equivalent  is  the  Ferruginous  Sand  For- 
mation.* In  the  middle  and  southern  States,  the  plastic  clay  lies  im- 
mediately above  this  ferruginous  sand.  But  I  have  no  evidence  that 
this  is,  or  is  not  the  case,  in  Massachusetts,  except  analogy ;  which, 
in  the  present  case,  must  be  considered  very  strong  in  favour  of  the 
affirmative.  The  spot  most  likely  to  afford  light  on  this  point  is  Gay 
Head.  But  the  action  of  the  sea  has  been  so  powerful  there,  that 
little  of  the  ferruginous  sand,  if  it  once  existed,  has  been  spared. 

Extent  of  the  Plastic  Clay  Formation. 

The  patches  of  this  formation  that  have  been  described  in  Massa- 
chusetts are  doubtless  only  the  remnants  of  a  vast  extent  of  these 

*  Journal  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  Vol.  6  :  also  >Am.  Journal  of  Science  Vols.  17  and  18- 
26 


202  Scientific  Geology. 

strata,  extending  at  least  from  Cape  Cod  to  the  borders  of  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico  ;  and  how  far  eastward  where  the  Atlantic  now  rolls,  we  can 
form  no  probable  opinion :  though  there  is  some  reason  for  supposing 
that  they  once  even  reached  Europe ;  along  whose  shores  similar 
strata  are  found  at  present.  As  we  proceed  southward  along  the 
coast  from  Martha's  Vineyard,  the  plastic  clay  appears  on  Long  Island, 
in  New  Jersey,  in  Maryland,  at  Natches,  at  the  Chicasaw  Bluffs,  &c  ; 
according  to  the  statements  of  Mr.  Finch.*  If  this  should  prove  to 
be  one  continuous  formation,  as  there  is  some  reason  for  supposing,  it 
will  be  by  far  the  most  extensive  deposite  of  this  kind  hitherto  dis- 
covered. We  do  know  that  this  and  other  tertiary  formations,  with 
the  ferruginous  sand,  which  is  the  highest  of  the  secondary  rocks, 
occupy  nearly  all  that  wide  range  of  level  country  lying  along  the 
Atlantic  coast  of  the  Southern  States. 

Theoretical   Considerations. 

It  is  universally  agreed  that  all  the  tertiary  formations  have  been 
deposited  from  materials  diffused  or  dissolved  in  water :  and  it  is  now 
generally  admitted  that  these  deposites  took  place  in  independant  ba- 
sins and  at  various  epochs.  One  of  the  most  remarkable  facts  in  re- 
lation to  these  deposites,  is  the  frequent  alternation,  or  admixture,  of 
marine  with  fresh  water  or  terrestrial  relics.  Thus,  at  Gay  Head,  we 
have  lignites  and  dicotyledonous  vegetables  mixed  and  probably  alter- 
nating with  the  remains  of  sharks,  alcyonites,  crabs,  and  marine  shells. 
In  some  instances,  such  facts  may  be  explained  by  supposing  alternate 
elevations  and  depressions  of  the  surface,  so  as  to  bring  salt  and  fresh 
water  successively  over  these  deposites.  But  more  usually  it  is  prob- 
able these  strata  were  deposited  in  estuaries,  which  were  occasionally 
inundated  by  fresh  water :  and  as  in  early  times  the  earth's  surface 
was  perhaps,  more  level  than  at  present,  these  inundations  might  be 
more  extensive  than  any  that  now  occur. 

Another  interesting  fact,  which  has  been  recently  established  by 
Beaumont,  Desnoyers,  Boue,  and  others,  is,  that  during  the  period 
in  which  these  tertiary  deposits  were  proceeding,  violent  convulsions, 
succeeded  by  long  intervals  of  repose,  took  place  ;  by  which  some  of 
the  highest  mountains  on  the  globe  were  elevated,  and  portions  of 
these  formations  elevated  along  with  them  ;  so  as  now  to  crown  their 

*  Am.  Journal  of  Science  Vol.  7.  p.  34  :  also  Conrad's  Fossil  Shells  Vol.  1.  p.  14. 


Supposed  Volcanic  Agency.  203 

summits.     Such  facts  have  opened  a  new  field  for  chronological  geol- 
ogy ;    and  inrour   country  it  is  as  yet  entirely  untrodden. 

Although  the  newest  tertiary  in  this  State  appears  to  have  remained 
undisturbed  since  its  deposition,  yet  it  is  interesting  to  find  that  our 
plastic  clay  has  experienced  a  convulsion,  almost  equal  to  that  by 
which  its  strata,  in  the  Isle  of  Wight,  have  been  thrown  into  a  verti- 
cal position.*  As  to  the  period  when  the  strata  at  Martha's  Vineyard 
were  elevated,  I  can  say  but  little.  I  have  already  expressed  an  opin- 
ion that  a  granite  ridge  passes  along  the  western  side  of  that  Island, 
not  far  beneath  the  surface :  But  I  have  searched  in  vain  there  for 
any  of  the  more  recent  unstratified  rocks.  At  present,  then,  I  must 
conclude  that  we  have  no  evidence  of  the  action  of  any  disturbing  force 
since  the  protrusion  of  this  granite.  But  in  Europe,  I  believe  no 
rock  above  the  chalk  has  been  proved  to  have  been  disturbed  by  gran- 
ite :  and  hence  I  hesitate  to  impute  the  elevation  of  our  plastic  clay 
to  that  rock,  especially  on  such  equivocal  evidence  as  I  now  possess. 

Supposed  evidence  of  Volcanic  Agency  at  Gay  Head. 

The  opinion,  I  ought,  however,  to  remark,  has  been  advanced  by 
writers  too  respectable  to  be  passed  unnoticed,  that  there  are  traces 
of  volcanic  action  at  Gay  Head.  The  great  quantity  of  lignite  there 
mixed  with  the  clay,  giving  the  whole  mass  an  appearance  somewhat 
like  cinders,  and  the  ferruginous  conglomerate,  in  which  the  pebbles 
are  coated  over  with  the  brown  hydrate  of  iron,  often  exceedingly 
resembling  the  conglomerated  semi-fused  mass  that  is  raked  out  of  a 
furnace,  would  very  naturally  lead  a  person,  unpractised  in  geology, 
to  refer  them  to  volcanic  agency.  These  are  undoubtedly  the  sub- 
stances intended  by  Dr.  Baylies,  when  he  speaks  of  "masses  of  char- 
coal,3' and  "  large  stones,  whose  surfaces  were  vitrified."!  It  is  now 
well  understood,  that  neither  lignite  nor  the  hydrate  of  iron,  require 
heat  for  their  production. 

Geological  Speculations  of  the  Aboriginees. 

Gay  Head  being  naturally  a  place  of  resort  for  the  Indians,  they 
could  npt  but  notice  its  peculiarities.  And  they  had  an  advantage  over 
geologists  of  modern  times  in  explaining  phenomena.  For  when 
a  difficulty  presented  itself,  they  had  only  to  call  in  the  aid  of  some 

*  Geological  Transaction,  Vol.  2.  p.  161. 

t  Transactions  of  the  Amer.  Acad.  of  Arts  and  Sciences,  Vol.  2.  part  1.  p.  150. 


204  Scientific  Geology. 

mighty  spirit,  or  giant,  who  once  inhabited  the  spot.  This  they  have 
done  in  attempting  to  account  for  appearances  at  Gay  Head.  I  am 
indebted  to  C.  C.  Baldwin  Esq.  Librarian  of  the  American  Antiqua- 
rian "Society,  for  an  interesting  extract,  exhibiting  the  Indian  tradition 
on  this  subject.  He  has  added  another  extract,  showing  the  Indian 
Philosophy  of  Fogs  on  the  coast :  and  another  from  the  writings  of 
Cotton  Mather  relating  to  some  fossil  bones  found  in  Virginia,  which 
is  a  good  exhibition  of  the  manner  in  which  such  facts  were  regarded 
a  century  ago.  I  take  the  liberty  to  subjoin  the  entire  letter. 

Worcester,  July  7,  1832. 
MY  DEAR  SIR, 

I  will  now  comply  with  my  promise  in  relation 

to  the  interesting  Fossil  Remains,  which  you  found  in  your  recent 
visit  to  the  Elizabeth  Islands. 

"  The  first  Indian  who  came  to  the  Vineyard,  was  brought  thither 
with  his  dog  on  a  cake  of  ice.  When  he  came  to  Gay  Head,  he 
found  a  very  large  man,  whose  name  was  Moshop.  He  had  a  wife 
and  five  children,  four  sons  and  one  daughter;  and  lived  in  the  den. 
He  used  to  catch  whales,  and  then  pluck  up  trees,  and  make  a  fire  and 
roast  them.  The  coals  of  the  trees  and  the  bones  of  the  whales  are 
now  to  be  seen.  After  he  was  tired  of  staying  here,  he  told  his 
children  to  go  and  play  ball  on  the  beach  that  joined  Neman's  Land 
to  Gay  Head.  He  then  made  a  mark  with  his  toe  across  the  beach 
at  each  end,  and  so  deep,  that  the  water  followed  and  cut  away  the 
beach ;  so  that  his  children  were  in  fear  of  drowning.  They  took 
their  sister  up  and  held  her  out  of  the  water.  He  told  them  to  act 
as  if  they  were  going  to  kill  whales  ;  and  they  were  all  turned  into 
Killers,  (a  fish  so  called).  The  sister  was  dressed  in  large  stripes. 
He  gave  them  a  strict  charge  always  to  be  kind  to  her.  His  wife 
mourned  the  loss  of  her  children  so  exceedingly,  that  he  threw  her 
away.  She  fell  upon  Seconet,  near  the  rocks,  where  she  lived  some- 
time, exacting  contribution  of  all  who  passed  by  water.  After  a 
while  she  was  changed  into  a  stone.  The  entire  shape  remained  for 
many  years.  But  after  the  English  came,  some  of  them  broke  off 
the  arms,  head,  &c.  but  the  most  of  the  body  remains  to  this  day. 
Moshop  went  away,  nobody  knows  whither.  He  had  no  conversa- 
tion with  the  Indians,  but  was  kind  to  them  by  sending  them  whales, 
&c.  ashore  for  them  to  eat.  But  after  they  grew  thick  around  him, 
he  left  them."  —  See  Mass.  His.  Collections,  Vol.  1.  p.  139. 


Indian  Philosophy.  205 

"  In  former  times,  a  great  many  moons  ago,  a  bird,  extraordinary 
for  its  size,  used  often  to  visit  the  south  shore  of  Cape  Cod,  and  carry 
from  thence  a  vast  number  of  small  children. 

Maushop,  who  was  an  Indian  Giant,  as  fame  reports,  resided  in 
these  parts.  Enraged  at  the  havoc  among  the  children,  he,  on  a  cer- 
tain time,  waded  into  the  sea  in  pursuit  of  the  bird,  till  he  had  crossed 
the  Sound,  and  reached  Nantucket.  Before  Maushop  forded  the 
Sound,  the  Island  was  unknown  to  the  Aborigines  of  America. 

Tradition  says  that  Maushop  found  the  bones  of  the  Children  in  a 
heap  under  a  large  tree.  He  then  wishing  to  smoke  a  pipe,  ran- 
sacked the  Island  for  tobacco  ,  but  finding  none,  he  filled  his  pipe 
with  poke,  a  weed  which  the  Indians  sometimes  used  as  its  substi- 
tute. Ever  since  the  above  memorable  event,  fogs  have  been  fre- 
quent at  Nantucket  and  orr  the  Cape.  In  allusion  to  this  tradition, 
when  the  Aborigines  observed  a  fog  rising,  they  would  say,  *  There 
comes  Old  Maushop's  smoke.3  "  —  See  Mass.  His.  Collections,  Vol. 
5.  p.  57. 

I  have  made  the  above  extracts,  thinking  they  might  interest  you 
in  your  enquiries  in  relation  to  the  bones  at  Gay  Head.  And  I  can- 
not but  be  of  opinion  that  the  above  interesting  tradition  about  the 
existence  of  the  Giant,  had  its  origin  with  the  Indians  from  their 
having  found  the  skeletons  of  large  marine  animals.  Perhaps  two 
hundred  years  ago,  as  late  a  period  as  the  tradition  refers  to,  the 
bones  might  have  presented  very  different  appearances  from  what 
they  now  do. 

In  the  collections  of  MSS.  belonging  to  the  Society  of  which  I  am 
Librarian,  are  copies  of  letters  addressed  by  the  Learned  Cotton 
Mather  to  different  persons  residing  in  Europe.  They  are  entitled 
"  Curiosa  Americana."  Among  them  are  eight  letters  to  Dr.  James 
Jurin.  One  of  these  is  entitled  "  A  Monstrous  Dragon."  But  be- 
fore speaking  of  the  particular  subject  of  his  letter,  he  gives  an  ac- 
count of  all  the  stupendous  snakes  which  have  been  described  by  the 
ancients.  The  letter  shall  speak  for  itself.  It  concludes  as  follows  : 

"  A  few  months  ago,  near  the  Falls  of  James  River  in  Virginia, 
Some  [persons]  digging  a  water-course  for  a  mill,  by  a  small  Run  of 
Water  under  the  Side  of  an  Hill,  Ten  foot  under  ground,  they  found 
the  Back-bone  of  a  snake,  lying  in  such  a  form  as  this  ^**v~*^.  They 
dug  along  from  the  Head  to  the  Tail  of  it,  both  which  were  much 
decayed,  but  the  earth  about  the  decayed  parts  was  of  a  different  col- 
our from  all  the  earth  about  it.  These,  with  all  the  bones,  were 


206  Scie?itiftc  Geology. 

found  exactly  of  the  same  depth  under  ground.  It  was  about  a  mile' 
and  half  distant  from  the  great  River,  and  about  one  hundred  and 
fifty  miles  from  the  sea.  But  now  for  the  Prodigy.  The  Monster 
extends  above  one  hundred  and  fifty  foot  in  length.  A  credible  per- 
son who  measured  the  Trench  out  of  which  it  was  taken,  brings  the 
account  unto  us,  and  brings  with  him  one  Joint  of  the  Back-bone, 
which  the  workmen  gave  him,  and  which  I  find  is  Five  inches  and 
a  quarter  in  depth,  Five  inches  and  a  half  in  width,  Four  inches 
and  an  half  Diameter  backwards  and  forwards,  and  though  it  be 
grown  very  dry,  and  some  of  it  be  worn  off,  yet  it  weighs  thirty-three 
ounces  and  an  half.  Monstrum  horrendum. 

I  shall  not  go  to  trouble  you  with  any  of  my  poor  speculations  on 
the  subject ;  chusing  and  wishing  rather  to  be  instructed  from  yours. 
And  so,  only  praying  for  your  Deliverance  from  a  greater  Dragon 
then  that  whose  Bones  were  lately  found  in  Virginia,  I  subscribe, 
Sir,  your  most  hearty  Servant." 

COTTON  MATHER. 
June  3,  1723. 

I  do  not  know  that  this  letter  has  ever  been  published.  That  fact 
may  be  ascertained  by  a  reference  to  the  Transactions  of  the  Royal 
Society,  or  the  "  Philosophical  Transactions."  The  author  of  the 
letter  above,  had,  at  the  time  of  its  date,  in  England  as  well  as  in 
America,  a  high  reputation  for  learning  and  it  is  altogether  probable 
that  it  was  published  there.  I  have  never  heard  that  it  had  been 
published  in  this  country,  and  presume  that  it  never  was. 

Accept,  I  pray  you,  my  best  wishes  for  your  health  and  happiness, 
and  believe  me  to  be  with 

Very  great  respect  and  regard, 
Your  Friend  and  Servant, 

CHRISTOPHER  COLUMBUS  BALDWIN,  LIB.  A.A.S. 


4.    NEW  RED  SANDSTONE. 

Under  this  name  I  have  included  all  the  sandstone  in  the  valley  of 
the  Connecticut ;  extending  from  New  Haven  Ct.  to  the  north  line  of 
Massachusetts  in  Northfield.  On  a  geological  map,  given  in  the 
6th.  volume  of  the  American  Journal  of  Science,  I  have  marked 
the  inferior  beds  of  this  formation  as  Old  Red  Sandstone.  Nor  do  I 


New  Red  Sandstone.  207 

now  deny  the  existence  of  this  rock  in  that  valley.  But  1  have  not 
discovered  marks  enough  to  identify  it  so  clearly,  as  to  be  justified  in 
giving  it  a  place  on  the  Map.  I  think  I  can  identify  the  upper  beds 
of  this  formation  with  the  New  Red  Sandstone  of  Europe ;  or  rather, 
show  it  to  be  probable  that  these  beds  are  the  equivalent  of  the  new 
red  sandstone.  And  not  improbably  the  lower  beds  correspond  essen- 
tially with  the  old  red  sandstone  of  Europe  :  For  sometimes  in  that 
quarter  of  the  globe,  the  two  series  are  in  contact ;  as  in  Arran  in 
Scotland;*  although  generally  they  are  separated  by  the  coal  measures. 
But  so  long  as  we  have  no  certain  evidence  of  the  existence  of  the  old 
red  sandstone  in  the  valley  of  the  Connecticut,  it  is  better  to  consider 
all  the  beds  of  the  sandstone  there,  as  belonging  to  the  new  red. sand- 
stone :  nor  shall  we  have  any  difficulty  in  finding  a  place  for  the 
whole  series  within  the  wide  range  embraced  by  the  usual  definition 
of  this  rock. 

In  the  paper  above  referred  to,  I  formerly  described  the  upper 
beds  of  the  sandstone  under  consideration,  as  the  Coal  Formation ;  not 
however  without  suggesting  doubts  as  to  its  identity  with  the  coal 
measures  of  Europe.  Thin  seams  of  genuine  bituminious  coal,  do, 
indeed,  occur  in  this  series,  in  gray  micaceous  sandstone ;  and  its  re- 
semblance to  the  coal  measures  of  Europe,  has  induced  men  of  great 
experience  to  explore  it  for  coal.  But  only  a  small  quantity  has  ever 
been  found ;  and  it  is  said  that  coal  occurs  also,  in  the  new  red  sand- 
stone on  the  continent  of  Europe :  so  that  the  occurrence  of  coal,  is  by 
no  means  certain  evidence,  that  the  rock  in  which  it  is  found,  is  the  real 
coal  formation  of  geological  writers. 

For  the  most  part,  the  ranges  of  greenstone  in  the  Connecticut  val- 
ley separate  the  upper,  from  the  lower  beds  of  the  sandstone  under 
consideration :  so  that  if  any  should  choose  to  distinguish  between 
them  on  the  map,  they  can  do  it,  by  recollecting  that  the  sandstone  on 
the  east  side  of  the  greenstone,  belongs  to  the  upper  beds ;  and  that  on 
the  west  side,  to  the  lower  ones. 

I  found  my  opinion,  that  the  upper  beds  of  this  formation  are  the 
new  red  sandstone,  upon  the  following  facts.  1.  The  discovery  of  a 
vertebral  animal  several  feet  long  in  East  Windsor,  Ct.  in  one  of 
the  varieties  of  this  rock,  18  feet  below  its  surface.  Now,  if  I  mis- 
take not,  no  vertebra]  animal  (except  the  relics  of  a  few  fish,  per- 
haps,) have  ever  been  found  below  the  new  red  sandstone  ;  especially 

*Macculloch's  Geolg-y  Vol.  1  p,  274. 


208  Scientific  Geology. 

bones  that  are  merely  preserved,  and  not  at  all  petrified,  as  is  the 
case  with  those  at  East  Windsor.  In  Europe  a  few  saurian  animals 
have  been  found  in  this  rock ;  and  probably  it  was  an  animal  of  this 
description  that  was  found  in  Connecticut.  2.  The  occurrence  of 
fossil  fish,  as  at  Sunderland ;  one  of  the  species  of  which,  (Palaeothris- 
sum  freslebenense,)  and  the  rock  containing  it  so  exactly  resemble 
specimens  of  the  same  from  Mansfeld  and  Hesse  in  Germany,  that 
Prof.  Al,  Brongniart  could  distinguish  them  only  by  their  labels. 
But  the  rocks  in  Germany  containing  these  fish,  belong  to  the  new 
red  sand  stone  group.  They  occur  also  at  Autun  in  France,  and  at 
one  or  two  places  in  Great  Britian,  with  precisely  the  same  charac- 
ters ;  the  rock  being  a  member  of  the  new  red  sandstone.  Hence  the 
probability  is  strong,  that  the  rock  containing  them  along  Connecti- 
cut river,  is  the  new  red  sandstone,  or  its  equivalent.  3.  One  variety 
of  the  new  red  sandstone  group  in  Germany,  (the  copper  slate,)  is 
wrought  as  an  ore  of  copper  :  and  veins  of  similar  ores  occur  in  the 
Connecticut  valley  ;  frequently  passing  from  the  sandstone  into  the 
adjoining  greenstone ;  and  in  one  or  two  cases,  I  have  observed 
thin  layers  of  sandstone,  considerably  charged  with  the  green  car- 
bonate of  copper.  This  may,  perhaps,  be  considered  as  corrobora- 
tive evidence  that  the  formations  in  the  two  countries  are  contemporane- 
ous;  qr  that  they  were  produced  under  similar  circumstances.  4. 
The  sulphates  of  barytas  and  strontia  are  found  in  the  new  red  sand- 
stone of  England;  the  latter  "  stellated  on  carbonate  of  lime"*  near 
Bristol ;  and  they  occur  under  similar  circumstances,  as  will  be  more 
particularly  described  hereafter,  in  the  sandstone  group  of  the  Con- 
necticut valley.  Magnetic  iron  sand  also  proceeds  from  this  rock 
here,  as  on  the  banks  of  the  Mersey,  opposite  Liverpool.  5.  In  Ger- 
many, bituminous  marlite  occurs  only  in  the  new  red  sandstone  group. 
Fetid  limestone  is  there,  also  a  member  of  the  same  formation.  In 
Massachusetts,  likewise,  the  same  rocks  are  similarly  associated ; 
and  I  have  lately  ascertained  that  a  part  of  the  slate  containing  ich- 
thyolites  at  Sunderland,  is  the  bituminous  marlite.  6.  Werner  re- 
garded the  variegated  appearance  of  the  new  red  sandstone  as  char- 
acteristic of  the  formation ;  and  hence  his  name  of 'hunter  sandstein.' 
In  the  Connecticut  valley  this  aspect  is  not  very  common.  But  in 
Bernardston,  the  lower  beds  exhibit  it  on  a  large  scale  :  and  on  the 
banks  of  Westfield  river  are  several  interstratified  layers,  according 

*  Geological  Manuel  p.  386. 


New  Red  Sandstone.  209 

beautiful  examples  of  this  structure  in  hand  specimens  ;  and  it  is  par- 
ticularly interesting  that  these  cannot  be  distinguished  by  the  eye  from 
specimens  from  Nova  Scotia,  associated  with  gypsum ;  and  therefore 
unquestionably  belonging  to  the  new  red  sandstone  group.  Similar 
specimens  may  be  obtained  at  South  Hadley  Canal  on  the  West  Spring- 
field shore. 

Mineralogical  Characters  of  the  New  Red  Sandstone. 

"  Taken  as  a  mass"  says  De  la  Beche*  the  group  (of  new  red 
sandstone)  may  be  considered  as  a  deposit  of  conglomerate,  sandstone, 
and  marl,  in  which  limestones  occasionally  appear  in  certain  terms  of 
the  series ;  sometimes  one  calcareous  deposit  being  absent,  as  the 
muschelkalk  is  in  England ;  sometimes  the  zechstein,  as  in  the  east 
and  south  of  France ;  and  sometimes  both  being  wanting  as  in  Dev- 
onshire." "The  beds"  says  Dr.  Macculloch,f  are  sometimes  of  a 
conglomerate  structure,  at  others  a  fine  sandstone  and  occasionally 
schistose  ;  and  in  composition,  the  rock  is  calcareous,  argillaceous,  or 
ferruginous,  or  all  together  presenting  endless  variations  of  aspect 
and  color." 

These  descriptions  correspond  in  general  to  the  group  which  I  de- 
nominate new  red  sandstone  in  the  Connecticut  valley.  Our  rock, 
however,  is  more  deficient  in  calcareous  matter  than  is  usual  in  Eu- 
rope :  though  more  or  less  of  lime  is  scattered  through  all  the  mem- 
bers of  the  group  ;  so  that  in  some  cases  even  the  reddish  shales 
slightly  efferverse  with  acids  :  and  might,  therefore,  be  properly  cal- 
led red  marl.  Nearly  all  the  limestone  in  the  group  is  highly  fetid ; 
though  in  some  instances  this  passes  into  that  which  is  bituminous  ; 
and  even  into  bituminous  marlite. 

It  should  be  recollected,  also,  that  this  formation  is  wanting  in  gyp- 
sum and  rock  salt ;  two  minerals  found  in  it  almost  universally : 
though  as  mentioned  in  the  first  part  of  my  report,  a  minute  quantity 
of  the  former  has  been  found  at  West  Springfield,  and  South  Hadley. 
I  have  however,  compared  a  suite  of  specimens  from  the  new  red 
sandstone  containing  gypsum  in  Nova  Scotia,  with  a  suite  from  the 
Connecticut  valley,  and  with  the  exception  of  the  limestones,  they  can 
hardly  be  distinguished  from  one  another.  Indeed,  why  may  we  not 
suppose  gypsum  and  rock  salt  to  be  occasionally  wanting  in  this  for- 
mation, as  well  as  limestone  ? 


*  Geological  Manual  p.  386. 

t  System  of  Geology,  vol.  2.  p.  227. 

27 


210  Scientific  Geology. 

The  following  distinct  varieties  of  rock  compose  the  new  red  sand- 
stone in  the  valley  of  the  Connecticut. 

1.  Conglomerates.  A  conglomerate,  composed  almost  entirely  of 
the  ruins  of  granite  and  mica  slate,  forms,  in  connection  with  a  sand- 
stone of  similar  character,  all  the  lower  beds  of  this  formation;  and 
these  two  varieties  embrace  all  the  rock  that  has  usually  been  denom- 
inated old  red  sandstone.  The  two  varieties  pass  into  each  other  by 
insensible  gradations,  and  even  the  finest  portion  of  the  sandstone  is 
coarse.  The  strata  are  from  one  to  two,  and  even  three  or  four  feet 
thick ;  and  for  the  most  part,  the  slaty  structure  is  almost  entirely 
wanting.  The  prevailing  and  almost  uniform  color  of  the  rock  is 
red ;  and  even  the  imbedded  nodules,  when  not  very  large  or  com- 
pact, are  penetrated  with  this  color.  Yet  where  this  rock  Approaches 
granite  and  mica  slate,  as  in  Bernardston,  Greenfield,  Deerfield, 
Whately,  and  Southampton,  it  is  somewhat  variegated ;  some  por- 
tions of  it  being  of  a  light  gray  color  ;  as  if  a  heat  so  powerful  had 
been  applied  to  it,  as  partially  to  expel  the  iron,  or  change  it  from  an 
oxide  into  some  other  compound.  The  nodules  of  the  conglomerate 
are  sometimes  one  or  two  feet  in  diameter ;  but  for  the  most  part, 
they  are  only  a  few  inches  thick.  A  variety  occurs  in  Bernardston, 
Southampton,  &c.  (  Nos.  135,  136, )  which  can  hardly  be  distin- 
guished in  hand  specimens  from  granite  ;  being  composed  of  frag- 
ments, but  little  rounded,  of  quartz  and  feldspar ;  the  latter  of  a  flesh 
color.  Sometimes  the  nodules,  as  at  Sugar  Loaf  in  Deerfield,  are 
graphic  granite,  which  is  often  quite  beautiful ;  the  feldspar  being  of 
a  lively  flesh  color. 

In  Greenfield  and  Bernardston,  near  the  junction  of  the  new  red 
sandstone  formation  with  the  argillo-micaceous  slate,  the  conglomer- 
ate occurs,  composed  entirely  of  argillo-micaceous  slate  and  white 
quartz.  This  was  obviously  derived  from  the  detritus  of  the  slate 
against  which  it  rests.  The  general  color  of  this  rock  is  red ;  and 
even  the  mica  slate  on  which  it  reposes,  exhibits  the  same  color  sev- 
eral feet  from  the  junction.  (Nos.  137  to  139.) 

Another  variety  of  conglomerate,  which  is  found  only  in  connec- 
tion with  the  upper  beds  of  the  new  red  sandstone,  is  of  a  dark,  red- 
dish gray  color,  and  is  composed  of  fragments  of  mica  slate,  talcose 
slate,  chlorite  slate,  hornblende  slate,  and  slaty  quartz  rock,  with  oc- 
casional nodules  of  quartz,  feldspar,  and  granite.  The  cement  ap- 
pears to  be  the  same  materials  comminuted.  This  is  the  coarest  con- 
glomerate in  the  the  Connecticut  valley.  It  constitutes  a  considera- 
ble part  of  mount  Toby  in  Sunderland,  where  the  imbedded  nodules 


Varieties  of  New  Red  Sandstone.  2 1 1 

&re  sometimes  three  or  four  feet  in  diameter.  It  extends  through 
Montague,  and  at  the  mouth  of  Miller's  river,  as  well  as  on  the  op- 
posite side  of  the  Connecticut  at  that  place,  it  may  be  examined  to 
good  advantage.  South  of  Sunderland  I  have  not  found  it,  except  at 
Durham  in  Connecticut.  Unless  viewed  on  a  large  scale,  this  rock 
scarcely  exhibits  any  stratification.  The  strata  are  sometimes  eight 
or  ten  feet  thick.  (Nos.  140  to  143.) 

At  Turner's  Falls  a  much  finer  and  more  compact  gray  conglom- 
erate exhibits  itself,  composed  of  the  same  materials  as  the  last,  ex- 
cept that  it  abounds  more  in  quartz  and  feldspar.  (No.  150.) 

A  reddish  conglomerate,  made  up  of  nearly  the  same  materials  as 
that  first  described,  (except  that  it  contains  more  slate,)  abounds 
among  the  lowest  of  the  upper  beds  of  this  formation.  (Nos.  144  to 
147.)  It  is  not  as  coarse  as  the  last  and  the  strata  are  usually  less 
than  a  foot  thick.  It  is  common  in  mount  Toby  and  on  the  east  side 
of  mount  Holyoke  in  Granby. 

Trap  conglomerate  is  another  variety  of  no  small  interest.  It  re- 
poses on  the  greenstone  on  the  east  side  of  mount  Tom  and  Holyoke : 
and  consists  of  a  mixture  of  angular  and  rounded  masses  of  trap 
and  sandstone,  with  a  cement  of  the  same  materials.  The  nodules 
are  sometimes  one  or  two  feet  in  diameter,  and  the  stratification  is  not 
very  distinct.  I  do  not  doubt  but  the  same  rock  may  be  found  on  the 
east  side  of  nearly  all  the  greenstone  ranges  in  the  Connecticut  val- 
ley. Its  thickness  is  but  small,  and  its  mode  of  production  obscure. 
(Nos.  151,  152,  and  285.) 

2  Sandstones.  The  lowest  and  most  abundant  sandstone  in  this 
formation  has  been  described  with  sufficient  minuteness,  in  connection 
with  the  conglomerate  with  which  it  occurs.  It  is  used  somewhat 
extensively  for  architectural  purposes.  (Nos.  154  161.) 

A  sandstone,  which,  at  a  little  distance  resembles  that  just  described, 
is  found  among  the  upper  beds  of  this  formation  in  Longmeadow  and 
Wilbraham ;  where  it  is  extensively  quarried.  It  differs,  however, 
essentially  from  the  last  variety  ;  being  composed  chiefly  of  fine  si- 
liceous sand,  with  occasional  specks  of  mica,  cemented  probably  by 
the  red  oxide  of  iron  :  for  its  color  is  almost  blood  red.  Its  particles, 
however,  do  not  cohere  strongly  ;  and  this  forms  the  only  objection  to 
its  use  in  architecture.  The  extensive  quarries  in  Chatham,  Ct.  are 
opened  in  this  rock  ;  or  in  a  variety  closely  allied  to  it.  Its  strata  are 
thick  and  rarely  exhibit  a  slaty  structure.  (Nos.  165,  166.) 

Gray  sandstone  is  not  uncommon  in  this  formation  ;  but  it  is  found 
chiefly  in  the  upper  part  of  the  series ;  or  rather  in  the  vicinity  of 


212  Scientific  Geology. 

trap  rocks ;  as  at  Turner's  falls,  and  on  both  sides  of  Holyoke  and 
Tom.  It  is  made  up  of  coarse  gray  sand  —  sometimes  of  comminuted 
granite  entirely,  as  on  Holyoke — and  varies  in  color  from  light  to 
dark  gray.  In  some  localities,  as  in  Granby,  the  strata  are  thick, 
and  the  rock  is  scarcely  schistose ;  it  is  there  used  in  architecture. 
In  other  places,  the  strata  become  thinner.  On  the  banks  of  the 
Westfield  river,  in  West  Springfield,  I  noticed  a  variety  that  resem- 
bles the  grindstones  brought  from  Nova  Scotia,  though  it  is  harder. 

Gray  micaceous  sandstone.  When  the  last  variety  fakes  mica  into 
its  composition,  it  becomes  more  easily  divisible  into  laminae;  and 
where  that  mineral  abounds,  it  is  very  fissile.  Some  specimens  of 
this  kind,  found  in  the  vicinity  of  trap  rocks,  can  hardly  be  distin- 
guished, in  hand  specimens,  from  mica  slate.  (Nos.  177,  178,  179.) 
Gray  micaceous  sandstone  abounds  at  Turner's  Falls,  on  Mt.  Toby, 
in  South  Hadley,  in  West  Springfield,  &c. 

Variegated  sandstone.  This  is  composed  of  alternating  laminae 
of  light  and  dark  red  sandstone,  usually  somewhat  micaceous.  The 
layers  are  not  very  evenly  arranged ;  so  that  their  edges  present  rath- 
er a  fantastic  appearance.  I  have  scarcely  met  with  this  rock  except 
on  the  banks  of  Westfield  river,  half  a  mile  west  of  the  village  of 
West  Springfield ;  where  the  characteristics  of  the  new  red  sand- 
stone are  more  fully  developed  than  any  where  else  in  the  valley  of  the 
Connecticut.  The  variegated  sandstone  there  forms  thick  and  work- 
able strata. 

Brecciated  Sandstone.  This  is  composed  of  fragments  of  micaceous 
sandstone,  which  seem  to  have  been  partially  fused  and  then  reunited. 
It  is  almost  as  hard  as  siliceous  slate.  It  is  found  about  a  mile  east  of 
Turner's  Falls,  on  both  banks  of  Connecticut  river,  forming  a  stratum 
some  20  feet  wide.  The  stratification  and  schistose  structure  are  very 
obscure  :  but  on  the  north  shore,  the  layers  have  evidently  been  forced 
upwards,  so  as  to  give  them  somewhat  of  a  spheroidal  form.  I 
hence  infer  that  a  mass  of  unstratified  rocks,  probably  greenstone,  lies 
beneath  the  sandstone  at  no  great  depth ;  and  that  when  this  was  forc- 
ed upwards  in  a  melted  state,  it  partially  fused  the  sandstone.  (No.  174.) 

Red  micaceous  sandstone  is  not  unfrequently  a  member  of  this  for- 
mation. The  grain  is  usually  fine,  and  indeed,  it  commonly  ap- 
proaches very  near  to  shale,  into  which  it  passes ;  yet  much  of  it  is  too 
coarse  and  contains  too  much  siliceous  matter  to  be  called  shale.  It 
is  very  common  along  the  east  side  of  our  greenstone  ridges,  as  at 
Turner's  falls  and  in  West  Springfield.  It  is  quite  remarkable  for  be- 


Shale.  213 

ing  divided  into  rhomboidal  masses,  by  one  or  two  sets  of  parallel 
seams.  On  the  north  bank  of  Westfield  river,  in  West  Springfield, 
this  division  is  remarkably  distinct,  and  the  surface  of  the  rock  pre- 
sents an  interesting  chequered  aspect.  The  same  is  the  case  in  the 
northeast  part  of  Greenfield,  just  below  Turner's  Falls. 

3.  Shales.  (Nos.  199  to  204.)  Under  this  term  I  include  all 
the  varieties  of  argillaceous  slate,  sometimes  called  slate  clay,  found 
in  connection  with  the  secondary  rocks.  And  in  Massachusetts  such 
slate  occurs  only  as  a  member  of  the  new  red  sandstone  series  :  of 
that  formation  it  constitutes  a  very  important  part.  Its  colors  are 
gray,  red,  and  black ;  and  in  hardness  it  varies  from  that  of  tender 
schistose  marls,  to  a  degree  of  induration  approaching  that  of  sili- 
ceous slate.  The  red  variety  is  most  abundant ;  especially  in  the 
region  of  Enfield  and  Hartford,  in  Connecticut.  Sometimes  it  takes 
mica  and  sand  into  its  composition,  and  then  passes  into  the  red  mi- 
caceous sandstone,  as  already  remarked.  When  black,  it  is  gener- 
ally bituminous,  as  at  Sunderland,  and  at  Middletown,  Connecticut  j 
where  are  found  upon  it  the  impressions  of  fish  and  vegetables. 
Some  of  the  black  colored  slate,  as  at  Turner's  Falls,  splits  into  ir- 
regular, somewhat  wedge-shaped  pieces  ;  and  indeed,  easily  disinte- 
grates and  falls  to  pieces  ;  when  it  resembles  comminuted  coal.  It 
frequently  contains  sulphuret  of  iron ;  which,  by  decomposition, 
causes  the  slate  to  exfoliate :  in  some  places,  also,  as  at  Turner's 
Falls,  and  on  Chicopee  and  Westfield  rivers,  this  shale  abounds  in 
nodules  of  argillaceous  iron  ore,  of  a  poor  quality.  Some  of  the 
black  non-bituminous  shale  of  this  formation,  has  almost  lost  its 
slaty  structure  in  the  process  of  induration.  Thin  pieces  of  it  give  a 
ringing  sound  when  struck.  This  variety  abounds  in  the  vicinity  of 
Turner's  Falls  ;  as,  indeed,  nearly  every  other  variety  does.  There 
we  find  a  gray  variety,  which  is  so  soft  that  it  may  be§  impressed  by 
the  finger  nail. 

If  it  were  possible  to  doubt  that  the  new  red  sandstone  formation 
was  deposited  from  water,  the  surface  of  some  of  the  layers  of  this 
shale  would  settle  the  question  demonstrably.  For  it  exhibits  pre- 
cisely those  gentle  undulations,  which  the  loamy  bottom  of  every 
river  with  a  moderate  current,  presents.  (No.  198.)  But  such  a 
surface  could  never  have  been  formed  while  the  layers  had  that  high 
inclination  to  the  horizon,  which  many  of  them  now  present :  so  that 
we  have  here,  also,  decisive  evidence  that  they  have  been  elevated 
subsequent  to  their  deposition. 


214  Scientific  Geology. 

On  Westfield  river  in  West  Springfield,  both  the  red  and  black 
shales  are  traversed  by  numerous  veins  of  satin  spar ;  itself  often 
of  a  redish  hue.  They  are  rarely  more  than  an  inch  wide,  but  often 
several  feet  long ;  and  run  uniformly  across  the  laminae  of  the  slate. 

In  the  same  place  the  black  shale,  as  well  as  the  bituminous  marl- 
ite, and  some  varieties  of  slaty  sandstone,  contain  masses  of  septaria, 
or  the  Ludus  Helmontii.  They  vary  in  size  from  an  inch  to  5  or  6 
inches  in  diameter,  and  are  usually  flattened  or  reniform.  The  en- 
velope appears  to  be  argillo-ferruginous  as  well  as  calcareous  ;  and 
the  cavities  are  lined,  and  sometimes  filled,  by  white  calcareous  spar. 
The  interior  is  divided  into  irregular  masses,  or  sometimes  into  poly- 
gonal prisms. 

The  hypothesis  which  imputes  the  cavernous  structure  of  these 
argillo-calcareous  masses  to  dessication,  and  their  subsequent  filling 
up  to  the  infiltration  of  carbonate  of  lime  in  a  state  of  solution,  seems 
to  me  liable  to  few  objections  ;  and,  indeed,  is  quite  satisfactory.  But 
I  have  already  given  it  somewhat  in  detail,  when  speaking  of  colum 
nar  argillaceous  iron  ore. 

4.  Limestones.  (Nos.  205  to  216.)  When  the  black  bituminous 
shale,  that  has  been  described,  takes  into  its  composition  enough 
of  calcareous  matter  to  produce  effervesence  with  acids,  it.  becomes 
bituminous  marlite.  It  is  not  very  common  in  this  sandstone  forma- 
tion. Yet  one  finds  it  in  considerable  quantity  on  the  banks  of  West- 
field  river,  in  West  Springfield ;  and  I  have  ascertained  that  the 
stratum  of  slate  in  Sunderland,  which  contains  the  best  preserved 
relics  of  fish,  is  bitumious  marlite.  Although  this  rock  contains  but 
a  small  proportion  of  calcareous  matter,  yet  it  certainly  does  not 
deserve  to  be  described  as  a  distinct  rock ;  and  it  may  be  conven- 
iently mentioned  under  the  head  of  limestones. 

Strongly  fetid  limestone  occurs,  interstratified  with  the  micaceous 
sandstones  of  this  formation,  at  two  places  in  the  northwest  part  of 
West  Springfield.  At  the  most  northern  locality,  I  noticed  only  a 
single  bed  about  10  feet  thick  :  but  two  miles  south  from  that  spot, 
several  beds,  not  far  apart,  may  be  seen,  associated  with  greenstone 
as  well  as  sandstone.  The  rock  at  both  places  is  of  a  dark  gray 
color  and  nearly  compact.  Its  fetid  odor  when  struck,  is  exceed- 
ingly strong,  so  as  even  to  produce  nausea.  It  is  wrought  to  some 
extent  for  water  proof  cement,  and  it  answers  well.  (Nos.  213  to  215.) 

I  doubt  whether  much  genuine  bituminous  limestone  exists  in  the 
/iew  red  sandstone  in  Massachusetts.  Yet  when  the  bituminous 


Associated  Limestone.  215 

marlite  takes  a  large  quantity  of  lime  into  its  composition,  it  becomes 
bituminous  limestone ;  and  perhaps  some  of  this  variety  may  be  found 
in  West  Springfield.  It  is  also  said  to  occur  in  Southington  and 
Middletown,  Ct:  and  the  fetid  limestone,  also,  (all  of  them  connected 
with  the  new  red  sandstone,)  in  Northford,  Ct. 

At  Turner's  Falls,  on  the  north  shore,  I  found,  a  few  years  ago,  a 
stratum  of  coarse  argillaceous  limestone  a  foot  thick,  which  was 
neither  bituminous  nor  fetid:  but  the  subsequent  removal  of  the 
dam  over  Connecticut  river,  has  covered  the  spot  beneath  the  waters. 

On  the  banks  of  Westfield  river,  in  West  Springfield,  we  find  lay- 
ers of  what  appears  to  be  an  argillo-ferruginous  limestone,  interstrat- 
ified  with  the  slate,  and  only  a  few  inches  thick.  Where  the  water 
has  laid  bare  this  rock,  it  sometimes  presents  the  whole  surface  divi- 
ded into  small  prisms  of  only  a  few  inches  in  diameter  and  length, 
whose  axes  are  perpendicular  to  the  planes  of  the  strata.  They  have 
four  or  more  sides,  though  irregular,  and  their  sides  do  not  touch. 
They  appear  to  have  resulted  from  the  same  cause  as  the  septaria 
already  described ;  and  I  doubt  not  that  both  the  septaria  and  these 
layers  of  argillo-ferruginous  limestone,  might  be  employed,  as  the 
former  is  in  Europe,  for  the  preparation  of  valuable  Roman  ce- 
ment. 

From  this  sketch  of  the  mineralogical  characters  of  this  group  of 
rocks,  it  will  be  easy  to  distinguish  between  the  lower  beds,  which 
have  heretofore  been  considered  as  the  old  red  sandstone,  and  the 
upper  ones,  which  have  been  called  a  coal  formation.  The  lower 
beds  are  distinctly  stratified,  but  rarely  slaty ;  whereas  the  upper  ones 
are  usually  so ;  although  some  varieties  of  conglomerate,  scarcely 
exhibit  any  marks  even  of  stratification.  In  the  lower  beds  is  no 
shale.  Their  color  is  almost  uniformly  some  shade  of  red  :  but  as 
already  shown,  the  upper  beds  are  of  various  colors  and  shale  is 
abundant. 

The  greater  abundance  of  granite  nodules  in  the  conglomerate  of 
the  lower  beds  of  this  formation,  than  in  that  of  the  higher  has  led 
some  geologists  to  regard  them  as  belonging  to  distinct  formations. 

But  as  a  general  principle,  it  will  not  answer  to  conclude  that  con- 
glomerate to  be  the  oldest  rock,  which  contains  rounded  masses  of 
granite.  For  a  deposite  of  granite  might  be  so  situated,  that  an  abrad- 
ing current  would  tear  off  large  quantities  of  it,  while  much  later 
rocks  might  flank  its  sides  in  such  a  manner  as  to  be  almost  entirely 


216  Scientific  Geology. 

protected  from  the  water.  The  recomposed  rock  hence  resulting 
would  therefore  contain  granite  nodules  chiefly.  Whereas  it  might 
be  that  the  later  rock  above  spoken  of,  once  covered  the  granite  and 
was  worn  away  by  an  agency  that  could  not  touch  the  granite.  Hence 
the  earlier  mechanical  rock  thus  produced  would  consist  chiefly  of 
fragments  of  the  schists.  Besides,  geologists  now  generally  admit 
that  granite  is  a  later  rock  than  most  of  the  primary  ones  ;  and  some- 
times even  of  the  same  age  as  the  highest  of  the  secondary  ;  since 
there  is  evidence  that  it  has  been  protruded  through  the  chalk :  and 
finally,  in  the  present  instance  some  of  the  lowest  beds  of  the  sand- 
stone under  consideration,  are  composed  of  fragments  of  the  latest  of 
the  primary  stratified  rocks  in  the  region ;  as  in  Bernardston  and 
Greenfield,  where  the  conglomerate  is  made  up  chiefly  of  argillo-mi- 
caceous  slate. 

Extensive  ranges  of  greenstone  are  connected  with  the  sandstone 
of  the  Connecticut  valley.  But  I  need  spend  no  time  in  the  present 
state  of  geolgical  science,  to  show  that  trap  rock  cannot  be  a  member 
of  the  sandstone  formation,  and  that  it  was  subsequently  introduced. 
Its  characters  and  relative  position  will  be  described  when  I  come  to 
speak  of  the  unstratified  rocks. 

Topography  of  this  Formation. 

With  a  single  exception,  all  the  new  red  sandstone  hitherto  describ- 
ed in  New  England,  lies  in  that  part  of  the  valley  of  Connecticut 
river,  which  extends  from  New  Haven  to  the  north  line  of  Massachu- 
setts :  and  in  this  State  none  is  found  out  of  that  valley.  An  inspec- 
tion of  the  accompanying  map,  which  marks  out  this  valley,  (Plate 
XV)  will  convey  a  definite  idea  of  the  space  covered  by  this  forma- 
tion. For  the  hills  which  are  there  represented  as  bounding  the  val- 
ley, commence  on  the  outer  edge  of  the  sandstone.  All  the  included 
space  is  sandstone,  except  those  ranges  of  hills  which  are  drawn 
within  the  valley,  which  are  greenstone. 

The  single  exception  above  referred  to,  embraces  a  valley  10  or  12 
miles  long,  extending  from  Woodbury  to  Southbury  in  Connecticut, 
along  a  branch  of  the  Housatonic  river.  There  we  find  the  same  va- 
rieties of  sandstone,  accompanied  by  analogous  greenstone,  as  in  the 
valley  of  the  Connecticut.  The  two  valleys  are  separated  by  a  high 
ridge  of  primary  rocks,  through  which  they  have  no  lateral  commu- 
nication. We  hence  learn  that  the  causes  which  produced  the  new 
red  sandstone  group  and  the  intruded  trap,  were  not  local  in  their  op- 


Topography  of  the  New  Red  Sandstone.  217 

eration.  In  New  York,  also,  according  to  Prof.  Eaton,*  this  forma- 
tion commences  near  Utica,  and  extends  250  miles  in  length.  East 
of  New  England,  no  new  red  sandstone  has  been  found  nearer  than 
Nova  Scotia,  where  it  abounds  in  gypsum.  From  the  able  descrip- 
tion of  this  rock  by  Messrs.  Jackson  and  Alger,  and  from  specimens 
furnished  me  by  this  latter  gentleman,  I  infer  a  greater  resemblance 
between  the  Nova  Scotia  and  New  England  group,  than  between  the 
latter  and  that  in  New  York,  and  those  farther  west :  although  of  the 
last  named  I  have  as  yet  seen  only  few  specimens. 

As  the  general  direction  of  the  strata  of  the  new  red  sandstone  in 
the  valley  of  the  Connecticut  is  north  and  south,  and  the  dip  easterly, 
it  will  follow  that  the  lower  beds  of  the  group  must  occupy  the  wes- 
tern part  of  that  valley.  And  I  have  already  remarked  that  the 
greenstone  ridges  generally  separate  the  upper  from  the  lower  beds. 
In  Gill,  Greenfield,  and  on  Mount  Holyoke,  however,  the  observer 
will  see  schistose  sandstones  cropping  out  beneath  the  greenstone  ; 
though  in  receding  westerly  from  the  greenstone,  he  will  find  the 
slaty  character  of  the  rock  soon  to  disappear. 

In  the  central  parts  of  the  Connecticut  valley,  from  South  Hadley 
nearly  to  Middletown,  the  shales  and  finer  sandstones  prevail  almost 
exclusively;  so  that  in  excavating  15,000  cubic  yards  of  stone  at  En- 
field  Falls,  not  a  pebble  as  large  as  an  acorn  was  observed.!  The 
prevailing  colour  of  the  slate  in  that  region  is  dull  red  or  chocolate ; 
and  being  easily  decomposed,  it  imparts  a  like  hue  to  the  soil.  If  we 
suppose,  what  I  have  always  observed  to  be  true,  that  the  prevailing 
dip  of  the  strata  through  the  whole  valley  is  easterly,  we  cannot  ad- 
mit, as  some  have  maintained,  that  these  finer  strata  were  originally 
deposited  in  its  central  parts,  and  the  coarser  materials  on  its  borders, 
for  then  the  finer  strata  must  dip  on  both  sides  of  the  valley  towards 
its  center,  or  remain  horizontal ;  and  they  could  not  dip  under  the 
coarser  layers  on  the  east  side,  as  they  now  do.  We  ought  probably 
rather  to  infer,  that  the  higher  and  coarser  strata  have  been  worn 
away  from  the  central  portion  of  the  valley,  because  they  would  there 
be  more  exposed  to  abrading  agents. 

The  coarser  and  the  finer  beds  do  not,  however,  in  all  cases  occupy 
separate  portions  of  the  valley  exclusively :  but  in  many  places  they 
are  interstratified  in  almost  endless  variety.  The  section  laid  bare 

*  Survey  of  the  Erie  Canal,  p.  102. 

t  Mr.  A.  Smith  on  the  Connecticut  valley.  Am.  Journal  Science.  Vol.  22.  p.  220. 
28 


218  Scientific  Geology. 

by  the  Connecticut,  three  miles  above,  and  nearly  a  mile  below  Tur- 
ner's Falls,  of  which  a  sketch  will  be  given  in  treating  of  greenstone, 
presents  a  good  example  for  examination.  The  coarser  varieties, 
however,  are  not  so  abundant  here,  as  at  Mount  Toby  in  Sunderland. 
On  the  west  side  of  Connecticut  river,  opposite  Sunderland,  Deerfield 
mountain  exhibits  nearly  every  variety  of  the  lower  beds  pf  the  for- 
mation. Let  the  observer  pass  to  the  east  bank  of  the  river  at  Whit- 
more's  ferry,  three  miles  north  of  Sunderland  village,  and  he  will 
land  upon  a  ledge  of  the  coarsest  conglomerate  that  has  just  been  de,- 
scribed.  Lying  directly  above  this,  and,  dipping  a  few  degrees  easter- 
ly, as  do  all  the  strata  of  Mount  Toby,  he  will  find  the  black  bitumin- 
ous shale  containing  impressions  of  fish  ;  10  feet  thick.  Immediate- 
ly above  this  succeeds  a  coarse  conglomerate,  scarcely  differing  from 
that  beneath,  and  forming  a  mass  200  or  300  feet  thick.  Proceeding 
southeasterly  to  the  top  of  Toby,  not  less  than  900  feet  above  the  river, 
he  will  find  numerous  alternations  of  the  coarsest  conglomerates  with 
the  finest  red  and  grey  sandstones;  or  rather  shales.  And  the  passage 
from  one  variety  to  the  other  is  not  in  general  gradual,  but  sudden ; 
so  that  the  line  between  the  finest  and  coarsest  materials  is  well  mar- 
ked. 

It  is  very  obvious,  in  such  cases,  that  the  finer  layers  of  the  rock 
must  have  been  deposited  in  still  waters,  and  the  coarser  materials 
have  been  the  result  of  powerful  abrading  currents.  And  I  know 
not  a  more  difficult  point  in  the  theory  of  the  earth,  than  to  explain 
the  cause  of  so  many  and  so  sudden  changes  from  motion  to  rest  and 
from  rest  to  motion,  in  the  waters  in  which  such  rocks  were  formed. 
The  facts  might  perhaps  be  explained  by  supposing  these  deposites  to 
have  resulted  from  the  long  continued  action  of  a  river,  carrying 
into  the  bottom  of  a  lake  or  the  ocean,  coarser  materials  during 
its  floods,  and  the  finer  sediment  at  low  water :  But  the  different  na- 
ture of  the  materials  composing  successive  layers  of  the  conglome- 
rate strata,  show  that  the  current  must  have  swept  over  and  torn  up  va- 
rious rocks  at  different  times  ;  and  consequently  must  have  come  from 
various  directions  at  successive  periods  ;  except  perhaps  in  those  rare 
cases,  where  it  wore  away  the  higher  formations  entirely.  Now  we 
cannot  conceive  how  any  river  should  be  made  to  pass  over  rocks 
so  different  as  we  find  in  the  alternating  beds  of  Mount  Toby,  at  dif- 
ferent periods :  it  would  require  alterations  in  its  bed,  almost  without 
number. 

There  is,  however,  one  other  mode  of  accounting  for  the  facts  in  this 
case,  which  may  perhaps  be  thought  more  satisfactory.  It  seems  to  be 


Dip,  Direction,  and  Thickness  of  the  Strata.  219 

proved  beyond  all  reasonable  doubt,  that  the  various  mountain  chains 
on  the  globe  were  elevated  from  the  bottom  of  the  ocean  at  various 
epochs,  in  the  earlier  times  of  our  planet.  And  generally  these  ele- 
vations took  place  suddenly.  Now  the  inevitable  effect  of  such  a  pro- 
trusion of  a  huge  mountain  ridge,  would  be  to  produce  a  wave  in  the 
ocean,  which  would  overwhelm  the  globe.  This  wave,  flowing  in 
every  direction  from  the  center  of  disturbance,  would  attain  its  great- 
est elevation  in  the  antipodes  of  that  center  :  and  then  there  would 
succeed  a  reflux  wave.  Nor  would  the  waters  settle  into  repose,  un- 
til several  mighty  flood  and  ebb  tides  had  succeeded.  Now  a  mo- 
ment's reflection  will  convince  any  one,  that  while  this  wave  was  ris- 
ing and  falling,  it  would  rush  over  any  particular  region  in  strong 
currents  ;  but  when  at  its  maximum  and  minimum  elevation,  the  wa- 
ter, for  a  considerable  time,  would  be  nearly  calm.  Consequently, 
during  the  former  periods  we  should  expect  the  materials  of  the  rocks 
depositsd  would  be  coarse ;  and  fine  during  the  latter  period.  And 
as  mountains  were  raised  in  different  parts  of  the  globe,  the  currents 
would  proceed  from  various  centers,  and  thus  sweep  into  the  same 
basin  the  fragments  of  different  rocks.  Such  powerful  convulsions 
could  not  have  taken  place  on  the  globe  since  man  was  placed  upon 
it ;  and  it  is  probable  that  the  new  red  sandstone  was  deposited  prior 
to  his  creation,  while  the  earth  was  yet  "  without  form  and  void,"  that 
is,  a  desert  and  unfurnished  waste. 

Dip,  Direction,  and  Thickness  of  the  Strata. 

Although  subject  to  local  variation  from  local  causes,  yet  the  general 
dip  and  direction  of  the  strata  of  this  formation  are  quite  obvious. 
The  direction  is  not  far  from  north  and  south,  and  the  dip  easterly  at 
an  angle  from  10°  to  20°.  Fifteen  degrees  is  probably  about  the  me- 
dium dip  :  and  I  suspect  the  prevailing  direction  to  be  a  few  degrees 
east  of  north.  In  particular  places,  however,  the  dip  is  found  at  all 
angles,  from  0°  to  80°.  This  is  remarkably  the  case  in  the  vicinity 
of  Turner's  Falls ;  as  may  be  seen  on  the  section  of  that  place  to  be 
given  farther  on.  This  extraordinary  dip,  however,  appears  to  be 
easily  explicable  from  the  proximity  of  greenstone  and  granite  ;  as  I 
shall  attempt  to  show  when  I  come  to  treat  of  those  rocks.  Near 
the  eastern  extremity  of  Mount  Holyoke,  also,  these  rocks  mount  up 
on  the  ridge  of  greenstone  at  an  angle  of  55°  or  60°.  Here  too  the 
direction  of  the  basset  edges  is  about  northeast  and  southwest.  The 
presence  of  greenstone  in  this  case,  also,  as  I  shall  attempt  to  show, 


220  Scientific  Geology. 

will  explain  these  anomalies.  In  the  west  part  of  Westfield,  and 
near  the  center  of  Hatfield,  the  lower  beds  of  this  formation  have  a 
dip  to  the  west  of  about  10°.  The  same  is  the  case  also  in  Bernards- 
ton.  In  the  north  part  of  Hadley,  I  have  observed  strata  running 
nearly  east  and  west,  and  dipping  10°  north.  The  probable  presence 
of  granite  at  no  great  depth  in  all  these  cases  will  readily  account  for 
these  exceptions. 

Although  the  new  red  sandstone  must  come  in  contact  with  the 
primary  rocks  on  both  borders  of  the  Connecticut  valley,  yet  I  have 
discovered  the  actual  junction  only  in  one  spot.  Half  a  mile  south  of 
the  "  Glen,"  or  Gorge,  in  Leyden,  near  a  saw  mill,  the  peculiar 
conglomerate  made  up  of  argillo-micaceous  slate  and  quartz,  reposes 
upon  that  slate,  and  has  a  dip  to  the  south  from  20°  to  30°  ;  while  the 
slate  is  nearly  perpendicular,  and  the  course  of  its  edges  nearly  north 
and  south.  Admitting  the  elevation  of  the  slate  subsequent  to  the  de- 
position of  the  sandstone,  the  southern  slope  of  the  edges  of  the  for- 
mer in  Leyden,  will  explain  the  southern  dip  of  the  latter  at  this  place. 

The  following  are  the  dip  and  direction  of  the  new  red  sandstone 
in  several  places  in  Massachusetts,  where  it  does  not  seem  to  have 
been  subject  to  local  deviations. 

Between  West  Springfield  and  Westfield,  along  Westfield  river, 
east  of  the  greenstone ;  direction,  north  and  south  ;  dip,  15°  to  20Q 
east. 

Mount  Tom,  beneath  the  greenstone ;  direction,  north  and  south  ; 
dip,  15°  to  20°  east. 

Most  northerly  lime  quary,  West  Springfield ;  direction,  north  and 
south  ;  dip,  15°  east. 

Rock  Ferry,  (S.  Hadley,  at  Titan's  Pier) ;  direction,  nearly  north 
and  south  ;  dip,  20°  east. 

Sunderland ;  direction,  generally  north  and  south ;  dip,  between 
10°  and  15°  east.  At  Whitmore's  Ferry,  however,  the  stratum  con- 
taining the  ichthyolites,  is  nearly  horizontal :  but  this  is  overlaid  by 
sandstone,  dipping  east  from  5°  to  10°. 

Deerfield;  (Sugar  Loaf  and  Deerfield  mountain  ;)  direction,  north 
and  south;  dip,  10°  to  15°  east. 

Do.  at  Hoyt's  quarries,  in  the  west  part  of  the  town;  dip,  15°  to 
20°  east. 

Greenfield  ;  near  the  village  •  dip,  20°  to  30°  east. 

Other  localities  might  be  cited,  but  it  seems  unnecessary.  It  ought, 
however,  to  be  mentioned,  that  as  we  go  south  into  Connecticut,  where 


Position  of  the  Strata.  221 

the  breadth  of  this  formation  increases,  we  find  the  dip  to  decrease ; 
so  as  in  many  places  to  be  almost  nothing. 

As  to  the  thickness  of  the  formation  under  consideration,  we  have 
not  sufficient  data  for  forming  a  very  definite  opinion.  Perhaps, 
however,  we  may  obtain  a  proximate  estimate,  by  examining  an  east 
and  west  section  of  the  formation,  across  the  south  part  of  Deerfield 
mountain,  and  the  center  of  Mount  Toby.  The  following  sketch  is 
not  intended  to  be  precisely  accurate ;  but  only  to  give  a  general  idea 
of  the  relative  situation  of  the  two  mountains  and  the  intervening  val- 
ley, with  the  valleys  between  them  and  the  primary  rocks  on  the  east 
and  west.  There  must  always  be,  as  is  well  known,  more  or  less  of 
distortion  and  want  of  proportion  in  sections  of  this  kind,  where  the 
horizontal  scale  must  be  much  smaller  than  the  perpendicular  one. 


In  the  present  case,  in  order  to  exhibit  the  proper  dip  of  the  strata, 
the  valley  through  which  the  Connecticut  flows,  is  represented  too 
wide. 

It  will  be  seen  by  this  section,*  that  the  strata,  both  in  Deerfield 
mountain  and  Mount  Toby,  as  well  as  in  the  valleys,  have  the  medi- 
um easterly  dip  of  the  formation  ;  that  is  about  15°,  though  on  a  con- 
siderable part  of  Mount  Toby  it  is  hardly  10°.  Two  or  three  hun- 
dred feet  above  the  river,  on  the  east  side,  may  be  seen  a  mass  of 
greenstone ;  which,  so  far  as  I  can  ascertain,  constitutes  a  dyke  or  bed 

*  This  section  (when  it  was  too  late  to  have  it  corrected,)  was  found  to  be  very 
badly  engraved.  The  dotted  lines  crossing  the  valley,  should  correspond  with  the 
strata  on  the  two  mountains ;  and  the  dip  of  the  lower  beds  should  be  several  de- 
grees larger.  f , 


222  Scientific  Geology. 

in  the  sandstone,  and  divides  the  upper  part  of  the  formation  from  the 
lower.  Deerfield  mountain,  in  its  southern  part,  consists  entirely  of 
the  lower  beds  ;  and  the  strata  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river  be- 
neath the  greenstone,  correspond  in  dip  and  general  characters  with 
those  of  this  mountain.  Mount  Toby  is  probably  not  far  from  1000 
feet  above  the  river,  and  Deerfield  mountain  varies  from  500  to  700. 
These  are  much  the  most  elevated  points  of  the  new  red  sandstone  in 
the  valley  of  the  Connecticut :  and  the  enquiry  immediately  suggests 
itself  to  the  geologist,  whether  the  formation  was  originally  of  this 
height  throughout  its  whole  extent,  and  has  been  subsequently  worn 
away,  except  these  ridges :  or  whether  these  have  been  raised  so 
much  above  the  general  level  by  a  force  acting  beneath.  The  latter 
supposition  woujd  seem  most  probable,  were  it  not  for  the  proof  ex- 
hibited by  the  above  section,  that  no  peculiar  disturbing  force  has 
acted  on  these  mountains.  Had  that  been  the  case,  either  their  strata 
would  exhibit  a  different  dip  from  the  formation  generally,  or  they 
would  not  correspond  on  opposite  sides  of  the  river.  It  seems  to  me 
perfectly  obvious,  after  inspecting  both  these  mountains,  that  almost 
the  only  change  their  strata  have  undergone,  was  their  original  eleva- 
tion about  10°  to  15°,  along  with  every  other  part  of  the  formation. 
And  hence  we  are  compelled  to  suppose,  that  the  top  of  Mount  Toby 
exhibits  nearly  the  original  elevation  of  the  whole  formation.  For 
the  idea  that  such  insulated  peaks  and  ridges,  as  those  under  consider- 
ation, were  deposited  in  the  form  we  now  find  them,  is  perfectly  absurd. 
Further,  we  must  suppose  that  the  strata  of  Mount  Toby  originally 
extended  to  the  top  of  Deerfield  mountain ;  as  is  represented  by  the 
dotted  line  A  C  in  the  section.  Nay,  on  this  supposition,  all  the  strata 
of  both  mountains  may  have  extended  to  the  western  side  of  the  val- 
ley, as  at  A. 

The  immense  period  requisite  to  wear  away  such  a  mass  of  rock 
as  this  theory  supposes  to  have  once  occupied  the  whole  valley  of  the 
Connecticut,  will  seem  to  'most  minds  the  strongest  objection  against 
its  adoption:  I  mean  supposing  it  to  have  been  effected  by, such 
causes  as  are  operating  at  present.  But  this  is  not  a  solitary  exam- 
ple, in  which  geological  phenomena  indicate  the  operation  of  exist- 
ing causes  through  periods  of  duration  inconceivably  long.  We 
may  in  this  case,  indeed,  as  I  have  already  shown,  suppose  the  occur- 
rence of  numerous  deluges  in  the  earlier  periods  of  our  globe.  Still 
even  with  the  aid  of  such  catastrophes,  the  work  must  have  been 
immensely  protracted.  And  why  should  we  hesitate  to  admit  the 


Thickness  of  the  Strata.  223 

existence  of  our  globe  through  periods  as  long  as  geological  re- 
searches require ;  since  the  sacred  record  does  not  declare  the  time 
of  its  original  creation :  and  since  such  a  view  of  its  antiquity  en- 
larges our  ideas  of  the  operations  of  the  Deity  in  respect  to  duration, 
as  much  as  astronomy  does  in  regard  to  space  ?  Instead  of  bringing 
us  into  collision  with  Moses,  it  seems  to  me  that  geology  furnishes  us 
with  some  of  the  grandest  conceptions  of  the  Divine  Atributes  and 
plans  to  be  found  in  the  whole  circle  of  human  knowledge. 

The  objection  of  a  writer  in  the  American  Journal  of  Science,* 
that  such  a  height  of  waters  as  would  deposite  Mount  Toby,  must 
have  produced  a  lake  nearly  to  the  upper  part  of  New  Hampshire, 
in  the  Connecticut  valley,  and  thus  have  caused  the  same  sandstone 
to  be  produced  higher  up  that  valley  than  Northfield,  loses  its  force, 
when  it  is  recollected  that  this  formation  was  deposited  before  its 
strata  were  elevated.  For  the  elevating  force  undoubtedly  changed 
the  relative  level  of  different  parts  of  the  country.  In  this  case,  the 
disturbing  force  must  have  acted  beneath  the  primary  rocks.  And 
besides,  we  have  good  evidence  which  will  be  shown  by  and  by,  that 
our  new  red  sandstone  was  formed  beneath  the  ocean.  We  cannot 
then  reason  on  this  subject  from  present  levels. 

If  the  preceding  statements  and  reasonings  be  correct,  in  order  to 
ascertain  the  actual  thickness  of  the  new  red  sandstone  strata  in  the 
Connecticut  valley,  above  the  river,  we  must  add  the  height  of  Mount 
Toby  above  the  strata  seam  E  H,  to  the  height  of  Deerfield  moun- 
tain ;  that  is,  B  E  to  E  S=C  N.  It  certainly  will  not  exceed  the 
truth  to  call  B  E  800  feet,  and  E  S  400=1200,  the  thickness  of  the 
strata  above  the  bed  of  the  Connecticut.  In  no  place,  that  I  know 
of,  has  this  river  cut  through  the  sandstone  :  and  hence  we  are  al- 
most entirely  destitute  of  means  of  ascertaining  the  thickness  of  the 
strata  beneath  the  river.  If  the  primary  strata  have  the  same  slope 
beneath  the  sandstone,  as  above  it,  this  rock  cannot  be  less  than 
1000  to  2000  feet  thick,  beneath  the  river,  or  N  D.  But  this  is  little 
better  than  conjecture ;  both  because  the  slope  of  the  primary  strata 
is  very  unequal  in  different  places,  and  because  probably  the  surface 
beneath  the  sandstone,  is  as  uneven  as  it  is  in  other  primary  valleys ; 
which  is  evinced  by  the  curved  structure  of  the  sandstone  strata  in 
some  places. 

In  the  second  part  of  this  Report  I  have  described  the  cave  and 
fissure  in  Sunderland,  as  having  been  produced  by  the  wearing  away 

*  Vol.  22.  p.  223. 


224 


Scientific  Geology. 


of  the  inferior  schistose  strata,  probably  by  water.  There  is  another 
fact  which  the  observer  will  notice  in  various  places  on  the  western 
declivity  of  Toby.  The  thick  sandstone  and  conglomerate  strata  are 
often  arranged  in  steps  or  terraces  of  great  height  and  thickness. 
At  first  view  the  mountain  would  seem  to  have  been  elevated  by  suc- 
cessive throes  of  some  internal  force  ;  each  paroxysm  throwing  up 
the  central  part  of  the  mountain  higher,  and  higher,  so  as  to  produce 
these  offsets.  But  there  is  too  much  regularity  in  the  stratification 
to  admit  of  such  a  supposition.  I  should  rather  impute  this  terraced 
structure  to  the  action  of  those  currents  of  water  which  have  exca- 
vated the  valley  of  the  Connecticut.  The  rock  exhibits  occasionally 
cross  seams  of  stratification,  nearly  at  right  angles  to  the  surface  of 
the  layers :  hence  currents  of  water,  frosts,  &c.  would  remove  suc- 
cessive portions  as  wide  as  these  cross  strata.  On  some  of  the  ter- 
races huge  masses  of  the  rock  yet  remain,  raised  from  their  original 
bed  and  irregularly  mixed,  but  not  far  removed. 

It  will  be  seen  on  the  accompanying  geological  map,  that  the 
greenstone  ridge  which  is  marked  in  Sunderland,  crosses  the  Connec- 
ticut in  the  north  part  of  that  town  and  then  forms  its  western  shore 
as  far  north  as  Gill.  The  section  that  has  just  been  given  crosses  the 
Connecticut  a  little  south  of  the  place  where  the  greenstone  crosses 
the  river ;  and  consequently  the  greenstone  is  represented  as  on  the 
east  side  of  the  river  with  the  sandstone  beneath  and  above  it.  But 
north  of  the  place  where  the  greenstone  crosses  the  river,  through  the 
the  whole  extent  of  Montague  and  Deerfield,  the  following  section 
represents  the  relative  situation  of  the  two  rocks. 


Now  I  cannot  but  regard  this  fact  as  some  evidence,  that  the  val- 
ley between  Deerfield  mountain  and  Toby,  has  been  to  a  great  extent 
excavated  by  water.  For  I  can  hardly  conceive  how  so  deep  a  gorge 


Copper.  225 

should  have  been  produced  in  this  greenstone  ridge,  or  dyke,  at  the  pe- 
riod of  its  protrusion:  certainly  not  without  causing  great  disturbance 
in  the  adjoining  strata  ;  of  which  I  have  seen  no  traces.  The  con- 
tinuity of  this  ridge  is  uninterrupted ;  as  are  the  dip  and  direction  of 
the  sandstone  strata.  But  the  whole  aspect  of  this  valley,  and  espe- 
cially the  contour  of  Sugar  Loaf,  correspond  with  the  idea  of  excava- 
tion by  water.  The  rocks  in  place  too,  on  both  sides  of  the  river,  to 
the  height  of  several  hundred  feet,  bear  the  marks,  in  numerous 
grooves,  of  powerful  abrading  agents. 

If  such  an  hypothesis,  however,  be  admitted,  this  work  must  have 
been  performed  while  the  region  under  consideration  was  in  a  state 
quite  different  from  what  it  is  at  present ;  and  probably  by  other 
streams  than  the  Connecticut  and  its  tributaries.  For  I  have  in  an- 
other place  attempted  to  show,  that  these  streams  have  not,  to  any 
great  extent,  evcavated  their  own  beds :  although  the  reasoning  which 
proved  this  position,  would  not  apply  to  the  valley  between  Toby  and 
Deerfield  mountain,  except  by  way  of  analogy.  If  water  did  exca- 
vate that  valley,  probably  it  was  previous  to  the  deposition  of  the  ter- 
tiary strata  in  the  Connecticut  valley ;  since  no  change  of  conse- 
quence has  taken  place  in  the  surface,  (I  mean  by  elevation  or  subsi- 
dence,) subsequent  to  that  period :  whereas  some  change  of  this  kind 
must  have  taken  place  since  the  excavation  of  this  valley,  if  other 
streams  than  the  Connecticut  and  it  tributaries  performed  the  work. 

But  enough,  and  probably  more  than  enough,  upon  a  subject  which 
is  obviously  involved  in  great  obscurity.  I  confess  that  the  position 
which  I  have  taken,  and  the  reasoning  which  I  have  advanced,  do 
not  satisfy  my  own  mind :  but  at  present  I  can  offer  nothing  better. 

Mineral  Contents. 
Copper. 

The  veins  of  Copper  ore,  occurring  at  the  junction  of  this  forma- 
tion with  the  greenstone,  are  the  most  interesting  mineral  treasure  of 
the  new  red  sandstone.  Here  are  found  several  species  :*viz.  the 
pyritous  copper,  red  oxide,  and  green  carbonate :  and  several 
masses  of  native  copper,  have  been  found  in  the  valley  of  the  Con- 
necticut, which  propably  originated  in  these  veins.  They  are 
quite  numerous  from  New  Haven  to  Northfield,  and  not  unfrequently 
extend  into  both  rocks,  the  sandstone  and  the  greenstone.  Their 
gangue  is  sometimes  sandstone,  sometimes  trap,  and  sometimes  sulphate 

29 


226  Scientific  Geology. 

of  baryta.  On  the  most  southern  of  the  islands  at  Turner's  Falls, 
the  gangue  of  the  pyritous  copper  is  a  brecciated  sandstone,  the  vein 
crossing  the  regular  strata ;  though  coinciding  with  them  in  direction. 
That  is,  both  run  nearly  north  and  south  ;  but  while  the  slate  dips 
about  45°  easterly,  the  vein  dips  westerly.  It  would  seem  as  if  the 
intrusion  of  the  copper  ore  had  broken  a  portion  of  the  sandstone 
into  fragments,  and  the  materials  had  been  partially  melted,  so  that 
on  cooling,  a  chemical  union  took  place  between  them  and  the  walls 
of  the  vein.  On  the  edges  of  the  sandstone  strata,  for  several  feet 
and  even  rods,  around  this  vein,  may  be  seen  numerous  crystals  of 
lenticular  carbonate  of  iron.  (No.  240) 

All  the  veins  of  copper  ore  in  the  formation  under  consideration, 
run  in  nearly  the  same  direction,  so  far  as  I  have  examined  them : 
that  is,  nearly  north  and  south ;  indicating  some  common  cause  from 
which  they  originated. 

The  vein  of  pyritous  and  the  green  carbonate  of  copper,  half  a 
mile  below  Turner's  Falls  in  Greenfield,  affords  a  good  example,  at 
low  water,  of  the  passage  of  the  vein  through  the  trap  and  the  sand- 
stone. Although  it  has  not  been  explored,  veins  of  sulphate  of  bary- 
ta, sometimes  several  inches  wide,  and  accompanied  by  copper,  may 
be  seen  passing  into  both  rocks.  The  trap  is  that  variety  denominated 
toadstone ;  the  base  being  apparently  indurated  clay.  The  red  slaty 
rock  connected  with  the  trap,  may  be  regarded  as  a  variety  of  slate, 
sometimes  a  little  micaceous.  As  nearly  as  I  could  determine,  this 
vein  is  perpendicular ;  and  as  it  passes  northerly  into  a  lofty  hill  of 
trap,  it  might  in  that  direction  be  advantageously  explored.  A  few 
hundred  dollars  laid  out  here,  would  probably  determine  the  value  of 
the  vein. 

I  have  put  down  a  second  copper  vein  on  the  map,  a  mile  or  two 
south  of  the  one  just  described.  I  did  it  on  what  I  thought  good  au- 
thority ;  but  subsequent  examination  has  led  me  to  doubt  whether  it 
has  an  existence ;  although  I  am  aware  how  easy  it  is  to  overlook 
such  a  locality  without  a  guide. 

The  copper  ore  in  Granby,Ct.  (called  the  Simsbury  Mines,)  ap- 
pears so  far  as  it  has  been  explored,  to  be  a  bed  lying  entirely  be- 
tween layers  of  sandstone,  which  dip  to  the  east  a  little  more  than 
20°,  and  running  between  north  and  south,  and  northeast  and  south- 
east. The  red  oxide  is  the  principal  ore,  sometimes  mixed  with  a 
little  of  the  green  carbonate.  The  gangue  appears  to  be  gray  sand- 
stone. Since  this  mine  has  been  reopened,  about  a  thousand  tons  of 


Coal.  227 

good  ore  have  been  obtained.  A  new  adit  is  now  in  progress,  which 
will  strike  the  bed  of  copper  ore  about  200  feet  below  the  surface. 

Although  nothing  but  sandstone  is  found  where  this  bed  of  ore 
crops  out,  yet  a  greenstone  ridge  appears  a  few  rods  distant,  and  the 
dip  of  the  bed  is  towards  the  greenstone,  and  must  therefore  pass  un- 
der it,  or  intersect  it. 

Native  copper  has  been  found  in  small  pieces  at  this  mine. 

Coal. 

It  has  long  been  known  that  coal  was  found  in  the  sandstone  of 
Connecticut  valley :  and  on  this  fact  mainly  has  the  opinion  been 
based,  that  a  real  coal  formation  exists  there.  But  I  think  I  have 
satisfactorily  shown  that  this  formation  must  be  referred  to  the  new 
red  sandstone  group.  Yet  if  this  be  admitted,  shall  we  infer  that 
there  is  no  hope  that  it  may  contain  coal  in  such  quantity,  and  of  such 
quality,  as  to  be  useful  for  fuel  ?  A  few  years  ago,  geologists  would 
have  peremptorily  decided  this  question  in  the  affirmative :  ,  but  in 
the  present  state  of  their  science,  it  seems  to  me  we  may  at  least 
reasonably  hesitate,  and  perhaps  draw  a  contrary  inference.  It  is 
now  generally  admitted  that  all  coal  has  a  vegetable  origin ;  and 
that  simply  by  the  long  continued  action  of  water,  under  certain  cir- 
stances  vegetable  matters  pass  into  the  state  of  peat,  next  into  lignite, 
then  into  bituminous  coal,  and  finally  into  anthracite :  though  this  last 
substance  more  commonly  perhaps,  results  from  the  action  of  heat  on 
bituminous  coal :  and  if  the  heat  be  powerful  enough,  even  plumbago 
may  be  produced ;  "  as  wood  has  been  (says  Dr.  Macculloch,*)  in 
my  experiments,  and  as  coal  is  daily,  in  the  iron  furnaces."  Such 
a  change  he  found,  in  one  case  at  least,  produced  upon  common  coal, 
in  the  vicinity  of  a  trap  dyke :  hence  he  reasonably  infers,  "  that 
even  the  plumbago  of  the  primary  strata,  no  less  than  the  anthracite, 
might  as  well  have  originated  in  vegetables,  as  that  each  of  these 
should  owe  an  independant  origin  to  elementary  mineral  carbon." 

According  to  this  theory,  why  may  we  not  hope  to  find  large 
quantities  of  workable  coal  in  any  formation  where  we  find  it  in 
small  quantities  ?  For  the  same  causes  that  could  produce  it  in  thin 
beds,  might  reasonably  be  supposed  adequate  to  the  production  of 
large  masses.  Anthracite  is  found  in  almost  every  rock  from  lias  to 
gneiss  ;  and  bituminous  coal  occurs  in  the  oolitic  and  new  red  sand- 


*  System  of  Geology,  &c.  Vol.  1.  p.  898. 


228  Scientific  Geology. 

stone  series,  as  well  as  in  the  proper  coal  measures.*  True,  so  far 
as  we  yet  know,  the  coal  measures  contain  the  principal  deposites  of 
the  latter  species  in  Europe  ;  and  perhaps  in  this  country :  though  I 
do  not  admit  that  our  bituminous  coal  fields  have  yet  been  certainly 
identified  with  those  in  Europe.  But  who  knows  whether  the  cir- 
cumstances under  which  our  new  red  sandstone  was  deposited,  might 
not  have  been  such  as  to  produce  extensive  masses  of  coal  ?  This 
would  not  constitute  so  great  a  difference  between  our  new  red  sand- 
stone and  that  in  Europe,  as  the  almost  entire  absence  in  the  former 
of  gypsum  and  rock  salt;  minerals  which,  on  the  eastern  continent, 
are  regarded  as  eminently  characteristic  of  this  formation.  In  Eng- 
land, it  is  true,  no  coal  has  been  found  in  the  new  red  sandstone  :  and 
on  the  European  continent,  only  occasionally  in  thin  seams  :  but  it 
has  been  recently  ascertained,  that  the  Brora  coal  field  in  Scotland, 
which  is  probably  the  equivalent  of  the  coal  field  of  the  eastern 
Moorlands  of  Yorkshire  in  England,  and  not  improbably  of  ihat  of 
Tecklenburg — Lingen  in  Prussia,  is  contained  in  the  lias  ;t  a  forma- 
tion which  lies  above  the  new  red  sandstone :  and,  therefore,  ev- 
ery presumption  is  in  favor  of  finding  coal  in  the  new  red  sand- 
stone ;  since  this  lies  between  the  lias  and  the  real  coal  measures. 
This  conclusion  is  still  farther  strengthened  by  the  fact,  that  Hum- 
bolt,  Daubuisson,  and  other  able  geologists,  consider  the  red  sand- 
stone group  and  the  coal  measures  as  belonging  to  the  same  forma- 
tion.J  All  these  facts  prove,  it  seems  to  me,  that  it  was  a  hasty  gen- 
eralization which  limited  workable  coal  to  the  coal  measures  ;  and 
that,  therefore,  we  should  not  be  prevented  from  searching  for  coal  in 
the  new  red  sandstone  of  the  Connecticut  valley. 

The  coal  in  this  rock  occurs  in  the  form  of  thin  veins  and  irreg- 
ular nodules,  which  are  rarely  but  a  few  inches  in  diameter.  In 
almost  every  instance,  it  appears  to  be  the  result  of  the  carbonization 

*See  Brongniart's  Tableau  de  la  Succession  at  de  la  Disposition  dea  Terrains  et 
Roches,  &c.  Paris,  1829.  Also  Conybeare  and  Phillips's  Geology  of  England  and 
Wales,  Vol.  1.  p.  329.  Al.  Brongniart  also  describes,  as  occurring-  in  the  Plastic 
Clay  Formation  of  Mount  Meissner  in  Hesse,  "a  true  anthracite  —  that  is  to  say, 
a  dense  carbon  without  bitumen,  sometimes  with  a  dull,  sometimes  with  a  shining- 
fracture.  We  here  find  a  thicker  bed  of  compact,  solid  bituminous  carbon,  hav- 
ing- a  nearly  straight  fracture,  burning  with  facility,  and  presenting-  many  of  the 
characters  of  true  coal."— Phil.  Mag-,  vol.  2.  N.  Series,  p.  108. 

t  Philosophical  Magazine,  vol.  2.  N.  Series,  p.  101. 

*  De  la  Heche's  Geological  Manual,  2d  Edition,  (London,  1832.)  p.  405. 


Coal  229 

of  a  single  plant,  whose  form  can  be  distinctly  traced ;  though  it  is 
always  broken  into  fragments,  whose  length  rarely  exceeds  two  feet. 
At  Whitmore's  ferry,  in  Sunderland ;  in  the  north  part  of  South  Had- 
ley,  and  on  the  north  bank  of  Westfield  river  in  West  Springfield, 
the  coal  is  highly  bituminous ;  though  least  so,  at  the  last  named  local- 
ity. But  at  Turner's  Falls,  in  Gill ;  at  the  Southampton  lead  mine, 
and  at  Enfield  Falls,  (Connecticut,)  it  is  anthracite.  At  the  junction 
of  this  same  formation  with  the  greenstone  at  Berlin,  in  Connecticut, 
Dr.  Percival  has  described  a  vein  of  bituminous  coal  penetrating  the 
greenstone.  He  says,  however,  that  "  it  more  usually  has  the  ap- 
pearance of  cinders  so  mixed  up  with  siliceous  matter  as  to  be  hardly 
combustible." 

It  becomes  an  interesting  enquiry,  whether  local  circumstances 
will  enable  us  to  explain  why  the  coal  at  some  of  these  localities  is 
bituminous,  and  at  others  anthracite.  "  We  know,"  says  Prof.  Al. 
Brongniart,*  "  that  the  coal  which  is  in  contact  with  the  veins  or 
dikes  of  basanite,  or  trap,  that  traverse  it,  and  that  which  approaches 
masses  of  porphyry,  is  less  bituminous  than  other  portions  of  the  bed, 
and  that  it  even  loses  all  its  bitumen,  and  in  passing  to  the  state  of 
anthracite,  exhibits,  as  it  were,  a  kind  of  vitreous  texture,  &c."  Few 
geologists  will  now  doubt  but  the  proximity  of  granite  produces  a 
similar  effect.  Now  at  Turner's  Falls  we  know  that  a  large  mass  of 
trap  is  not  far  from  the  coal ;  and  at  Southampton,  that  granite  is  still 
nearer  ;  and  hence  we  should  expect  the  coal  at  these  places  to  have 
lost  its  bitumen.  I  am  not  aware,  however,  of  the  proximity  of  either 
of  these  rocks  to  the  coal  at  Enfield  Falls  ;  though  ignorant  of  its 
particular  location.  At  Sunderland  and  South  Hadley  the  trap  is  so 
far  distant,  that  we  are  not  surprised  to  find  bitumen.  The  existence 
of  bituminous  coal,  however,  in  the  trap  at  Berlin,  Ct.  is  quite  re- 
markable :  and  the  fact  that  a  portion  of  it  is  converted  into  psuedo- 
cinders,  proves  that  heat  does  not  necessarily  drive  out  the  bitumen. 
The  contorted  condition  of  the  strata  at  the  locality  of  coal  in  West 
Springfield,  renders  it  quite  probable  that  trap  rock  exists  a  short  dis- 
tance beneath  the  surface.  The  pretty  uniform  dip  of  the  strata, 
where  they  are  laid  bare  in  that  town  several  miles  in  width,  by 
Westfield  river,  is  from  15°  to  20°  east.  But  at  the  spot  just  referred 

*  Tableau  Des  Terrains,  &c.  p.  283. 


230 


ientific  Geology. 


to,  we  find  the  anomaly  which  is  here  sketched.  It  is  a  satisfactory 
explanation  of  this  case  to  suppose  that  greenstone,  or  some  other 
igneous  rock,  has  pressed  upwards  with  such  force  between  A  and  E, 
,  as  to  give  the  the  strata  a  saddle  shaped  appearance  for  a  few  rods. 
(Four  rods  from  A  to  E.)  If  this  hypothesis  be  correct,  we  can 
hardly  conceive,  as  in  the  case  at  Berlin,  why  the  bitumen  is  not  ex- 
pelled from  the  coal.  Upon  the  whole,  the  casesHhat  have  been  men- 
tioned show,  that  something  more  than  mere  proximity  to  rocks  of 
igneous  origin  is  necessary  for  the  conversion  of  bituminous  coal 
into  anthracite ;  although  heat  is  undoubtedly  the  principal  agent. 

Generally  the  coal  that  has  been  described,  occurs  in  a  gray  coarse 
micaceous  sandstone.  But  at  the  locality  at  West  Springfield,  it  is 
found  in  bituminous  mariite.  At  Sunderland,  it  is  in  bituminous 
shale. 

Lead,  Zinc,  and  Iron. 

The  sulphurets  of  these  metals  occur  in  a  vein  at  the  junction  of 
the  greenstone  and  this  formation,  in  Berlin,  Ct.  as  described  by  Dr. 
Percival.  Galena  and  Blende,  I  have  observed  in  small  quantities  in 
the  fetid  limestone  of  West  Springfield,  at  Paine' s  quarry,  and  blende 
at  Meachem's  quarry.  Sulphuret  of  iron  is  quite  common  in  the  shale 
every  where.  Nodular  argillaceous  iron  ore  also  occurs  in  the  same 
rock,  at  Turner's  Falls,  South  Hadley  Canal,  &c.  The  carbonate  of 
iron  at  Turner's  Falls,  has  been  already  described :  and  I  suspect 
No.  24 1  to  be  the  same  mineral  from  South  Hadley  Canal :  though 
it  resembles  cinnabar.  But  the  chemical  tests  do  not  indicate  the 
presence  of  mercury.  Yet  from  its  solution  in  nitro-muriatic  acid, 
prussiate  of  potash  threw  down  a  dense  precipitate  of  the  prussiate  of 
iron. 

Iron  Sand. 

Bushels  of  this  substance,  highly  magnetic,  may  sometimes  be  col- 
lected on  the  Montague  shore  of  Connecticut  river,  40  rods  below 
Turner's  Falls.  Probably  it  proceeds  from  the  disintegration  of  the 


Sulphate,  of  Lime.  231 

new  red  sandstone  at  the  falls.  Some  of  the  iron-colored  grains  are 
not  magnetic  enough  to  be  taken  up  by  the  magnet,  and  resemble 
iserine. 

Rotten  Stone. 

This  valuable  substance  cannot  probably  be  regarded  as  a  simple 
mineral,  since  in  the  present  case,  it  is  merely  fetid  limestone  that  has 
been  partially  decomposed  by  the  action  of  a  mass  of  greenstone  in 
the  immediate  vicinity  ;  or  by  some  other  cause.  It  is  found  at  Paine3  s 
quarry  in  West  Springfield ;  and  in  large  quantities.  Its  quality  ap- 
pears to  be  very  excellent ;  and  in  an  economical  point  of  view,  it 
deserves  attention.  It  is  found  also  at  South  Hadley  Canal,  on  the 
West  Springfield  shore  ;  though  of  hardly  so  fine  a  quality,  and  in 
much  less  quantity.  It  is  not  tl^ere  associated  with  limestone.  (Nos. 
217  to  221.) 

Fibrous  Limestone,  or  Satin  Spar. 

The  red  and  black  shales,  as  remarked  in  another  place,  on  the 
banks  of  Westfield  river,  in  West  Springfield,  contain  numerous 
veins  of  this  substance  from  an  inch  to  a  mere  line  wide.  Sometimes 
it  forms  a  thin  seam  between  the  layers  of  slate.  The  same  mine- 
ral occurs  along  with  the  fish  impressions  at  Sunderland.  Common 
calcareous  spar  exists  in  these  rocks  as  well  as  satin  spar. 

Concreted  carbonate  of  lime  is  frequently  found  in  this  formation. 
At  West  Springfield  I  found  it  an  inch  or  two  thick  between  the  lay- 
ers of  sandstone,  near  the  southern  bed  of  fetid  limestone.  At  the 
Sunderland  cave,  it  forms  small  and  imperfect  stalactites  on  the  coarse 
conglomerate :  and  on  the  same  conglomerate,  on  the  east  side  of 
Mount  Toby  in  Leverett,  I  found  a  large  quantity  of  it  coating  over 
a  perpendicular  wall  several  inches  thick.  (Nos.  226  to  230.) 
This  had  obviously  been  derived  from  the  conglomerate  by  water ; 
and  it  shows  that  carbonate  of  lime  is  more  frequent  in  this  forma- 
tion than  one  would  be  led  to  suspect  from  its  general  appearance. 

Sulphate  of  Baryta. 

This  mineral,  as  already  remarked,  accompanies  the  veins  of  cop- 
per ore  in  the  new  red  sandstone  in  most  instances,  both  in  Massa- 
chusetts and  Connecticut.  In  this  State,  it  is  most  abundant  at  the 
copper  veins  in  Greenfield ;  where  it  forms  veins  from  six  to  eight 
inches  wide. 


232  Scientific  Geology. 

Sulphate  of  Stro?itia. 

This  mineral  occurs  in  radiated  masses  upon  fetid  carbonate  of 
lime  in  West  Springfield.  Its  specific  gravity  is  about  four ;  and 
before  the  blow  pipe,  it  melts  and  gives  a  slight  tinge  of  red  to  the 
flame. 

Sulphate  of  Lime. 

I  have  already  mentioned,  on  the  authority  of  Mr.  E.  Davis,  that 
this  interesting  mineral  exists  in  small  quantity  on  the  banks  of  West- 
field  river,  in  West  Springfield.  I  have  found  it  also,  in  the  form  of 
selenite,  on  gray  sandstone  at  South  Hadley  Canal,  in  quite  small 
quantity.  These  facts  are  sufficient  to  encourage  farther  research 
after  so  valuable  a  substance. 

In  some  of  the  seams  of  the  fetid  limestone  of  West  Springfield,  I 
have  noticed  thin  layers  of  purple  fluate  of  lime. 

It  ought  not  to  be  forgotten,  that  in  Europe,  the  new  red  sandstone 
group  is  one  of  the  depositories  of  salt  and  gypsum,  as  well  as  the 
rich  mines  of  Mercury  in  Carniola :  nor  ought  it  to  be  supposed  that 
our  new  red  sandstone  has  been  examined  thoroughly  enough,  to  ren- 
der it  certain  that  the  same  minerals  do  not  exist  here. 

Organic  Remains. 

In  Europe  the  new  red  sandstone  is  rather  remarkable  for  a  paucity 
of  organic  relics.  And  the  same  seems  to  be  true  in  this  country. 
Enough,  however,  have  been  found  in  this  rock  in  the  valley  of  the 
Connecticut,  to  throw  considerable  light  upon  the  circumstances  un- 
der which  it  was  produced.  And  judging  from  the  success  which  I 
have  had  in  the  few  direct  efforts  which  I  have  made  for  discovering 
the  fossils  of  this  formation,  I  predict  that  subsequent  examinations 
will  bring  to  light  many  more.  Much  obscurity  also,  rests  upon  the 
nature  of  several  of  those  which  I  have  found,  which  farther  research 
will  I  hope  remove. 

The  remains  found  in  this  formation  are  both  vegetable  and  ani- 
mal. The  former  I  shall  first  notice. 

Those  fragments  of  vegetables  which  are  not  uncommon  in  certain 
varieties  of  the  new  red  sandstone,  and  which  present  a  thin  layer  of 
coal,  having  the  general  form  of  the  original  plant,  might  have  be- 
longed, in  some  cases  to  dicotyledonous  plants.  And  their  extremely 
broken  condition  shows  that  they  were  transported  from  a  distance  to 


Organic  Remains.  233 

the  places  which  they  now  occupy.  Mixed  with  them,  however,  and 
much  less  broken,  we  find  impressions  on  the  shale,  in  which  usually 
little  vegetable  matter  remains.  These  are  rarely  more  than  an  inch 
or  an  inch  and  a  half  wide ;  but  No.  252  is  more  than  4  inches  wide, 
and  this  is  the  largest  I  have  met  with.  These  impressions  are 
slightly  striated  longitudinally :  and  probably  belong  to  the  tribe  of 
fossil  plants  Calamites ;  possibly  to  the  Calamites  arenaceus  of  Adol- 
phe  Brongniart.*  Yet  I  have  rarely  noticed  any  distinct  articula- 
tions in  the  specimens.  Not  unfrequently  a  thin  layer  of  coal  occu- 
pies the  place  of  the  vegetable;  its  surface  still  exhibiting  a  striated 
or  furrowed  aspect.  Indeed,  I  think  it  possible  that  even  those  speci- 
mens that  are  so  much  broken  (No.  253)  may  belong  to  the  same 
family  of  plants. 

De  la  Beche  mentions  that  the  Lycopodites  Sillimanni  —  a  fossil 
plant  peculiar  to  America  —  is  found  at  Hadley  in  Connecticut.! 
No  such  town  exists  in  Connecticut ;  and  I  can  have  but  little  doubt 
that  this  is  a  mistake  for  South  Hadley,  Massachusetts ;  for  I  know 
of  some  gentlemen  in  Connecticut,  who  obtained  some  years  ago, 
several  peculiar  vegetable  fossils  at  that  place ;  though  I  have  not 
been  so  fortunate.  Professor  Silliman,  who  probably  sent  this  fossil 
to  Europe,  has  no  recollection  concerning  it. 

I  obtained  a  single  specimen  several  years  ago  at  Sunderland,  and 
gave  a  figure  of  it  in  the  6th  volume  of  the  American  Journal  of 
Science,  which  bears  considerable  resemblance  to  the  rachis  of  the 
voltzia  brevifolia,  when  destitute  of  fructification,  as  figured  by  Ad. 
Brongniart  in  the  15th  volume  of  the  Annales  des  Sciences,  and 
found  in  the  sandstone  formation  near  Strasburg. 

In  some  of  the  lowest  beds  of  this  formation,  (those  which  have 
been  heretofore  called  the  old  red  sandstone,)  I  have  lately  found,  in 
Deerfield  and  Greenfield,  a  singular  petrifaction,  which  Dr.  Morton 
says,  "  evidently  belongs  to  the  fossil  genus  Fucoides,  of  which  Dr. 
Harlan  has  described  a  species  from  the  sandstone  of  Genesee,  New 
York,  under  the  name  of  F.  Brongniartii.  (Amer.  Jour,  of  Geology.) 
If  your  specimens  were  weathered,  their  specific  characters  would 
be  more  obvious,  and  would  probably  prove  identical  with  those  from 
Genesee.  Dr.  Harlan,  however,  has  used  a  specific  name  already  in 
use  ;  for  among  British  fossils,  there  is  a  F.  Brongniartii  enumerated 

*  Historie  des  Vegetaux  Fossiles,  Plate  23.  Fig1.  1. 

t  Manuel,  p.  410,  2d  edition. 

30 


234  Scientific  Geology. 

in  Woodward's  Catalogue,  1830  ;  which  species  is  figured  in  Man- 
tell's  Geology  of  Sussex." 

This  Fucoides  varies  in  size  from  one  tenth  of  an  inch  to  an  inch 
in  diameter.  More  commonly  it  runs  through  the  rock  in  a  direction 
corresponding  to  that  of  the  laminae ;  in  which  case  it  is  considerably 
flattened.  Sometimes  it  passes  obliquely  through  the  layers,  and 
very  commonly  crosses  them  at  right  angles ;  in  which  last  case  it  has 
a  cylindrical  form.  It  is  rare  to  see  a  specimen  of  any  considerable 
length,  that  is  not  more  or  less  curved ;  and  I  have  never  met  with 
one  that  was  branched  at  all.  I  have  noticed  specimens  a  foot  or 
more  in  length,  and  they  may  be  much  longer  than  this,  since  I  have 
not  met  with  any  large  mass  of  rock  containing  them.  The  sand- 
stone in  which  they  are  found  is  rather  fine  and  quite  soft,  and  easily 
disintegrates.  They  occur  near  Hoyt's  quarries,  one  mile  west  of 
the  village  of  Deerfield ;  and  also  a  few  rods  south  of  the  county  jail 
in  Greenfield,  close  by  the  stage  road. 

The  vegetable  matter  in  these  remains  is  wholly  replaced  by  sand- 
stone. By  breaking  the  specimens  transversely,  a  curious  structure 
is  revealed.  It  may  be  described,  by  saying  that  the  cylinder  is  made 
up  of  convex  layers  of  sandstone,  piled  upon  one  another  :  and  I  ob- 
serve that  in  the  same  rock  all  the  specimens  have  the  convex  side 
of  these  layers  in  the  same  direction ;  so  that  on  one  side  of  the 
rock  you  will  see  numerous  button-like  protuberances,  and  on  the 
other  side  corresponding  concavities.  (No.  258.)  But  I  do  not  know 
which  side  is  uppermost  in  the  rock  in  situ.  Nor  am  I  familiar 
enough,  either  with  living  or  fossil  agamous  plants,  to  know  whether 
there  is  any  thing  remarkable  in  this  structure. 

Plate  XIII.  figs.  38  and  39  are  sketches  of  two  specimens  of 
this  Fucoides. 

Fossil  Trunk  of  a  Tree. 

I  saw  this  interesting  relic  several  years  ago,  in  Dr.  Smith's  col- 
lection in  Southbury,  Ct.  It  was  obtained  in  that  place  in  the  sand- 
stone formation  extending  from  Woodbury  to  the  Housatonic ;  which, 
although  separated  topographically  from  the  new  red  sandstone  of 
the  Connecticut  valley,  appears  to  possess  precisely  the  same  char- 
acters. The  specimen  to  which  I  refer  was  cylindrical,  eight  or  ten 
inches  in  diameter, 'highly  siliceous,  and  exhibited  the  bark  very  dis- 
tinctly ;  which,  if  I  do  not  misrecollect,  was  carbonaceous.  It  was 
discovered  in  a  swamp,  and  a  laborer,  mistaking  it  for  a  stump  of  a 


Animal  Remains.  235 

recent  tree,  struck  it  with  his  axe ;  and  being  vexed  at  the  injury  his 
instrument  received,  he  in  revenge  broke  it  almost  to  pieces.  The 
unbroken  fragment  in  Dr.  Smith's  possession,  however,  was  several 
inches  long. 

The  circumstances  above  related,  render  it  probable  that  this  trunk, 
when  first  discovered,  stood  in  the  position  in  which  it  grew  ;  as  has 
been  found  to  be  the  case  in  numerous  instances  in  the  sandstones  of 
Europe. 

Animal  Remains. 

About  thirteen  years  ago,  an  interesting  discovery  of  the  bones  of 
an  animal  was  made  in  digging  a  well  near  Ketch's  Mills,  in  the  east 
parish  of  East  Windsor,  Ct.  The  rock  is  a  red  conglomerate,  be- 
longing to  the  higher  part  of  the  new  red  sandstone,  and  exceedingly 
resembles  in  color  and  hardness  the  conglomerate  of  the  lowest  beds. 
The  workmen  penetrated  five  feet  of  soil  before  reaching  the  rock, 
and  then  blasted  it  out  to  the  depth  of  eighteen  feet,  before  reaching 
the  bones.  And  although  little  care  was  taken  to  obtain  these  in  a 
proper  state  for  examination,  and  they  were  mostly  scattered  among 
visitors  to  the  spot,  yet  the  following  facts  may  be  depended  on. 

The  most  remarkable  fact  is,  that  these  bones  were  not  at  all  min- 
eralized ;  but  retained  the  color  and  other  characters  of  bones  that 
have  long  been  buried.  On  exposure  to  the  air,  they  were  much 
disposed  to  crumble  down.  Yet  this  was  not  universally  the  case, 
as  two  or  three  small  fragments,  still  in  my  possession,  testify.  These 
bones  belonged  to  a  vertebral  animal,  about  five  feet  long,  which  lay 
horizontally  in  the  rock ;  and  as  the  caudal  vertebrae  were  quite  nu- 
merous, projecting  in  a  curve  eighteen  inches  beyond  the  body  of  the 
skeleton,  I  suspect  these  bones  belonged  to  a  saurian  animal ;  espec- 
ially since  such  animals  have  been  found  in  the  new  red  sandstone 
in  Europe. 

Having  understood  that  an  individual  in  East  Windsor,  (for  his 
own  sake  I  will  not  mention  his  name,)  had  preserved  several  frag- 
ments of  these  bones,  and  finding  that  geologists  abroad  were  begin- 
ning to  doubt  whether  any  such  discovery  had  been  made,  I  traveled 
seventy  miles,  accompanied  by  an  artist,  in  the  hope  of  being  allowed 
to  take  sketches  of  the  specimens.  But  I  was  not  permitted  even  to 
look  at  them.  I  tried  to  console  myself  under  so  unexpected  a  dis- 
appointment, first,  by  reflecting  that  I  had  not  received  such  treat- 
ment any  where  else ;  and  secondly,  by  repeating  the  sentiment  — 
parvum  parva  decent. 


236  Scientific  Geology. 


The  remains  of  fish  have  been  found  on  bituminous  shale  and  bit- 
uminous marlite,  in  Middletown,  Ct.  at  Sunderland,  Mass,  and  also  in 
West  Springfield  and  Deerfield.  Sunderland,  however,  is  the  only 
spot  where  they  can  now  be  procured.  The  shale  there  forms  the 
bank  of  the  river  several  feet  high :  but  the  ichthyolites  are  most 
abundant  in  the  lower  part  of  the  bed,  which  corresponds  nearly  with 
low  water  mark.  I  have  dug  out  hundreds  of  specimens  at  this 
spot ;  though  perfect  ones  are  very  rare  to  be  obtained.  On  one 
layer  of  the  rock,  fifteen  inches  by  three  feet,  seven  distinct  impres- 
sions were  visible.  Indeed,  I  have  not  unfrequently  met  with  one 
fish  lying  across  another,  without  the  intervention  of  a  layer  of 
shale :  and  from  these  specimens,  I  can  easily  conceive  how  the  mis- 
take should  have  been  made,  that  among  the  Monte  Bolca  ichthyo- 
lites, one  fish  was  found  in  the  act  of  swallowing  another ! 

A  thin  layer  of  carbonaceous  matter  usually  marks  out  the  spot 
where  the  fish  lay ;  except  the  head,  whose  outlines  are  rendered 
visible  only  by  irregular  ridges  and  furrows.  In  some  cases,  how- 
ever, satin  spar  forms  a  thin  layer  over  the  carbonaceous  matter,  and 
being  of  a  light  gray  color,  it  gives  to  the  specimens  an  aspect  ex- 
tremely like  that  of  a  fish  just  taken  from  the  water. 

We  sometimes  find  the  specimens  a  good  deal  mutilated ;  so  much 
so,  indeed,  that  the  form  of  the  fish  is  entirely  lost ;  and  the  scales 
and  fins  are  scattered  about  promiscuously  :  and  this  too  in  the  vicin- 
ity of  other  specimens  that  are  entire.  Hence  we  cannot  impute 
this  mutilation,  as  is  usually  done,  to  a  disturbing  force  acting  on  the 
rock  at  the  time  in  which  the  fish  was  enveloped,  or  afterwards. 
But  if  we  suppose  that  the  fish,  as  they  died,  were  gradually  envel- 
oped by  mud,  it  is  easy  to  conceive  how  some  of  them  might  have 
putrified  and  fallen  to  pieces,  before  they  were  buried  deep  enough 
to  be  preserved :  or  it  might  be,  that  most  of  the  fish  was  devoured 
by  some  other  animal :  and  in  either  of  these  ways,  we  might  expect 
to  find  only  scattered  relics  enveloped  in  the  rock. 

The  great  resemblance  of  these  ichthyolites  to  those  found  on  the 
bituminous  slate  of  Mansfeld,  in  Germany,  has  been  already  noticed. 
Probably  all  of  them  belong  to  the  genus  Palaeothrissum.  I  am 
inclined  to  believe  that  I  have  found  four  species.  Plate  XIV.  Figs. 
45  and  48,  are  probably  the  same  species  ;  the  outlines  of  the  latter 
being  sketched,  merely  because  they  are  more  distinct  than  those  of 
fig.  45.  Forty  nine  fiftieths  of  the  specimens  at  Sunderland  belong 


Zoophyta.  237 

to  this  species.  Fig.  46  is  a  smaller  species ;  differing  very  deci- 
dedly from  the  first,  but  very  rarely  met  with.  Fig.  44  is  still 
smaller  ;  the  scales  being  minute,  and  I  have  found  only  one  speci- 
men of  it.  The  fish  in  this  case,  as  may  be  seen  by  the  drawing, 
appears  not  to  have  lain  upon  its  side,  as  they  generally  do,  when  it 
was  enveloped  in  the  rock.  There  is  occasionally  found  a  specimen 
of  greater  length  than  any  which  are  sketched ;  and  yet  the  scales 
are  smaller  than  those  on  fig.  45  :  I  suspect  this  to  be  a  fourth  spe- 
cies :  but  I  have  no  specimen  sufficiently  perfect  to  permit  a  drawing 
to  be  taken. 

Mollusca. 

The  only  molluscous  animal  which  I  have  detected  in  the  new  red 
sandstone  formation,  was  found  in  rolled  masses  in  Amherst :  and 
the  only  specimen  at  all  distinct,  is  sketched  on  Plate  XL  Fig.  1 7 ; 
and  belongs  to  the  College  collection  in  that  place.  Although  much 
broken,  there  can  be  little  doubt  but  it  is  an  orthocera.  For  a  long 
time  I  supposed  the  rock  containing  this  mould,  was  a  wacke-like 
trap :  but  I  am  now  satisfied  that  it  is  a  micaceous  sandstone,  more 
indurated  than  is  common.  I  should  not  be  surprised  if  it  should 
hereafter  appear,  that  the  vicinity  of  Turner's  Falls  is  the  spot  from 
which  this  specimen  originated. 

At  those  falls  I  obtained  the  specimen  No.  282,  on  whose  surface 
are  some^  protuberances  that  much  resemble  a  univalve  shell:  but 
they  may  be  concretions. 

Zoophyta. 

Under  this  head  I  introduce  a  remarkable  organic  relic,  which  I 
recently  discovered  on  the  brown  shale,  or  rather  fine  micaceous 
sandstone,  on  the  banks  of  Westfield  river,  (generally  called  Agawam 
river  near  its  mouth,)  in  West  Springfield.  It  is  characterised  by 
grooves  and  correspondent  ridges,  which  sometimes  ramify,  and  by 
small  somewhat  polygonal  reticulations,  which  cover  the  entire  sur- 
face of  the  shale  as  far  as  the  grooves  extend.  (Nos.  264,  265.) 
These  reticulations  are  rarely  more  than  one  quarter  of  an  inch  in 
diameter,  and  they  diminish  in  size  as  we  approach  one  extremity  of 
the  impression.  No  animal  or  vegetable  matter  remains  upon  the 
shale,  yet  the  grooves  and  the  reticulations  are  quite  distinct.  Plate 
XIII.  Figs.  34  and  35,  are  sketches  of  this  organic  impression ;  the 
latter  showing  the  diminution  in  size  of  the  net  work,  towards  one 


238  Scientific  Geology. 

extremity.  The  reticulations  and  grooves  are  of  the  natural  size  in 
both  figures. 

I  found  this  impression  on  the  north  bank  of  Westfield  river,  in 
the  west  part  of  West  Springfield.  The  shale  containing  it  passed 
on  one  side  under  the  river  ;  the  impression  still  continuing  in  that 
direction,  as  far  as  the  rock  could  be  examined.  On  the  other  side, 
that  is,  northerly,  I  found  it  to  extend  eleven  feet,  and  at  least  two 
feet  in  width  j  nor  did  the  margin  of  the  specimen  appear  in  any 
direction.  More  recently  the  spot  has  been  visited  by  Solomon  La- 
throp,  Esq.  of  West  Springfield,  who  has  uncovered  the  impression 
eighteen  feet  in  length,  and  at  least  four  feet  in  width.  Towards  the 
north,  he  found  the  reticulations  to  become  finer,  until  at  length  the 
impression  ceased  to  appear  in  that  direction  ;  but  how  much  farther 
it  extends  under  the  river  he  could  not  ascertain.  And  he  says, 
"  how  much  wider  the  impression  is  (than  four  feet,)  I  cannot  tell, 
but  should  presume  several  feet."  Thus  we  ascertain  the  existence 
of  an  animal  or  vegetable  relic  at  least  eighteen  feet  long  and  four  feet 
wide  !  and  it  may  occupy  twice  or  thrice  that  extent ! 

But  which  is  it,  animal  or  vegetable  ?  I  have  searched  in  vain 
for  any  thing  resembling  it  in  Brongniart's  Vegetauz  Fossiles,  in 
Parkhurst's  Organic  Remains,  and  in  all  other  descriptions  of  a  sim- 
ilar kind,  within  my  reach.  But  the  reticulations  certainly  bear  a 
strong  resemblance  to  those  on  some  existing  species  of  Gorgonia, 
or  sea  fan :  to  the  G.  reticulata,  for  example,  as  figured  in  Rees'  Cy- 
clopedia ;  although  in  this  species  we  see  nothing  that  could  have 
produced  the  grooves  so  obvious -on  the  fossil.  The  fossil  Gorgoniae, 
also,  as  figured  by  Goldfuss,  especially -the  G.  ripistena  and  infundi- 
buliformis*  bear  considerable  resemblance  to  the  impression  from 
West  Springfield :  but  these  species  are  only  an  inch  and  a  half  long. 
Yet  some  of  the  'existing  species  "  in  deep  bays,  and  similar  situa- 
ations  of  the  sea,  no  less  favorable  to  their  growth  and  increase,  at- 
tain to  the  gigantic  height  of  ten  or  twelve  feet ;  and  from  their 
number  as  well  as  magnitude ;  their  remarkable  ramose,  and  foliated 
or  flabelliform  appearance ;  interwoven  structure,  or  coral-like  tex- 
ture,  form  a  conspicuous  portion  of  those  vast  sub-marine  "  groves  of 
coral"  that  are  sometimes  seen  by  navigators  in  the  hotter  regions 
of  the  globe."  t 

*  Petrifacta  Plate  VII,  fig.  2,  and  Plate  X,  fig.  1. 
t  Rees'  Cyclopedia,  Art.  Gorgonia. 


Gorgonia.  239 

Upon  the  whole,  I  am  strongly  inclined  to  believe  that  this  inter- 
esting relic  must  have  been  an  enormous  Gorgonia.  True,  no  dis- 
covery has  yet  been  made  of  the  central  stem :  but  who  knows  that 
the  shale  has  yet  been  explored  far  enough  in  width  to  discover  it. 
If  so,  this  specimen  may  yet  be  found  to  be  from  eight  to  ten  feet  in 
width!* 

Plate  XIII,  fig.  36,  is  a  sketch  of  an  impression  found  in  the  same 
shale,  only  an  inch  or  two  higher  up  in  the  rock.  (No.  256.)  It 
scarcely  differs  from  the  others,  except  in  the  absence  of  the  reticu- 
lations. Mr.  Lathrop,  who  sent  me  this  specimen,  could  discover 
none  of  these.  But  I  have  noticed  that  frequently  the  reticulations 
are  attached  to  a  very  thin  layer  of  shale,  which  easily  cleaves  off 
and  leaves  an  impression  precisely  like  that  in  the  figure.  Hence  I 
suspect  that  these  reticulations  will  be  found  connected  with  the 
grooves:  although  I  can  easily  conceive  of  different  species  in  which 
the  net  work  should  be  absent.  And  Mr.  Lathrop  says,  that  such  as 
are  represented  in  the  figure  are  quite  abundant,  not  only  at  the  spot 
mentioned  above,  but  also  half  a  mile  nearer  the  village  of  West 
Springfield,  where  he  says,  "  the  leaves  are  larger,  and  in  one  in- 
stance the  edge  appeared  serrated." 

On  the  surface  of  the  same  shale,  along  the  same  river,  we  find 

*  While  the  proof  sheet  of  this  page  was  under  examination,  I  received,  through 
the  kindness  of  Professor  Silliman,  Mr.  Witham's  "  Observations  on  Fossil  Vege- 
tables," Edinburgh,  1831 ;  and  his  "Description  of  .a  Fossil  Tree  in  the  Quarry  at 
Craigleith ;"  Edinburgh,  1833 ;  and  I  was  at  once  struck  with  the  resemblance 
between  several  of  the  drawings  in  those  works,  and  those  which  I  have  presented 
of  the  fossil  described  in  the  text.  But  Mr.  Witham's  drawings  represent  sections 
—  mostly  transverse  —  of  fossil  trees  as  seen  through  the  microscope  ;  and  there- 
fore, the  specimens  from  which  they  were  taken,  cannot  be  remotely  allied  to  the 
fossil  at  West  Springfield,  which  consists  simply  of  an  impression  upon  shale. 

Professor  Silliman  has  kindly  given  me  his  opinion  in  respect  to  the  character 
of  the  sandstones  in  the  Connecticut  valley  :  and  I  shall  take  the  liberty  to  insert 
it  here.  It  will  be  seen  that  there  is  no  real  discrepancy  between  us  on  the  sub- 
ject. He  is  more  confident  than  I  am  of  the  existence  of  the  old  red  sandstone  in 
this  valley ;  while  I  merely  say,  that  I  have  not  evidence  enough  of  its  existence 
to  justify  me  in  marking  it  on  the  map.  Professor  Silliman,  I  trust,  will  excuse 
the  liberty  which  I  take  in  copying  his  opinion  from  a  private  letter,  since  it  is  the 
opinion  of  one  who  examined  this  subject  much  earlier  than  myself,  and  who,  in 
my  earliest  as  well  as  latest  geological  pursuits,  I  have  always  regarded  as  my 
counsellor,  patron,  and  friend. 

"My  impression  is,"  says  he,  "that  both  the  old  and  the  new  red  sandstone  ex- 
ist in  the  great  formation  of  Massachusetts  and  Connecticut  .*  that  the  old  lies  the 
lowest,  and  is  palpably  (at  least  here)  granite  ruins  :  that  the  new  lies  higher  in 
the  series ;  and  that  the  coal  formation  may  come  between  them  as  elsewhere." 


240  Scientific  Geology. 

irregularly  ramified  masses  of  flint,  or  siliceous  slate,  from  half  an 
inch  to  an  inch  in  diameter.  I  could  not  resist  the  impression,  that 
this  siliceous  matter  may  have  taken  the  place  of  a  zoophyte :  al- 
though I  have  seen  no  certain  evidence  of  organization.  (No.  267.) 
But  if  the  specimens  that  have  been  described  are  Gorgoniae,  there 
is  certainly  presumptive  evidence  that  other  zoophytes  would  be  found 
in  the  same  rock. 

Radiaria. 

Under  this  name  I  have  a  specimen,  perhaps  still  more  remarkable 
than  the  last,  to  introduce.  It  is  from  the  fetid  limestone  in  West 
Springfield.  Plate  XII.  Figs.  29,  30,  32,  and  33,  are  intended  to 
convey  an  idea  of  the  most  important  varieties  of  this  petrifaction, 
which  I  have  hitherto  discovered.  Fig.  33  exhibits  its  most  common 
form.  This  is  composed  of  numerous  cylindrical  bodies,  usually 
less  than  half  an  inch  in  diameter,  and  several  inches  long,  running 
in  a  parallel  direction  through  the  limestone.  On  breaking  them 
transversely,  they  are  seen  to  consist  of  concentric  layers  of  carbon- 
ate of  lime,  of  various  shades  of  color ;  the  outside  of  the  external 
layers  (and,  indeed,  more  or  less  so  of  the  others,)  being  covered 
with  small  warty  protuberances ;  but  showing  no  marks  of  trans- 
verse septa.  Not  unfrequently  a  small  perforation  occupies  the  cen- 
ter of  the  cylinder ;  and  at  other  times  it  is  occupied  by  calcareous 
spar,  which  probably  entered  by  infiltration.  A  radiated  structure  is 
sometimes  not  obvious  :  but  if  I  do  not  greatly  mistake,  it  is  evident 
when  specimens  are  newly  fractured  crosswise.  (Nos.  268  to  277.) 

Fig.  32  exhibits  one  of  these  cylinders,  terminated  by  a  spheroidal 
head,  and  covered  over  with  the  warty  protuberances  that  have  been 
mentioned. 

Sometimes  these  cylinders  enlarge  and  several  of  them  (frequently 
three)  become  united,  so  that  the  outer  layers  enclose  the  whole :  as 
is  shown  in  Fig.  30. 

In  one  or  two  instances,  numerous  small  cylinders  become  united 
in  this  manner,  and  form  a  rather  confused  mass  in  the  center,  sur- 
rounded, however,  by  distinct  layers.  In  this  case  a  great  enlarge- 
ment takes  place,  as  in  Fig.  29.  The  lower  part  of  that  specimen, 
which  cannot  be  seen  in  the  sketch,  exhibits  numerous  small  and  dis- 
tinct tubes,  which,  by  extending  an  inch  or  two,  become  blended  in 
the  confused  mass  that  occupies  the  central  parts,  as  seen  on  the  up- 
per surface  in  this  figure. 


Theoretical  Considerations.  241 

The  appearance  of  a  concretionary  structure  is  so  marked  in  some 
specimens,  that  one  or  two  geologists,  for  whose  opinions  I  entertain 
a  high  respect,  have  even  suggested  whether  this  remarkable  sub- 
stance be  a  real  petrifaction ;  and  enquired  whether  it  may  not  be  of  a 
nature  similar  to  the  columnar  limestone,  described  by  Capt.  Bonny- 
castle  with  a  plate,  in  the  20th  volume  of  the  Am.  Journal  of  Science. 
Judging  from  the  plate,  as  well  as  specimens  which  I  have  seen  of 
that  limestone,  I  am  satisfied  that  the  specimens  from  Springfield  are 
of  a  very  different  character,  and  exhibit  far  more  marks  of  organic 
structure.  Indeed,  I  cannot  doubt  but  they  are  real  petrifactions ;  but 
having  examined  Goldfuss'  Petrefacta,  Miller's  Crinoidea,  Sowerby's 
Mineral  Conchology,  Parkinson's  Organic  Remains,  &c.  I  can  find 
no  fossil  resembling  these.  Yet  I  doubt  not  but  some  one  more  con- 
versant with  this  subject,  will  be  able  to  refer  them  to  their  proper 
place.  General  analogies  only,  have  led  me  to  regard  them  as  hav- 
ing resulted  from  the  petrifaction  of  radiated  animals :  though  I  am 
by  no  means  sure  that  they  are  not  of  vegetable  origin. 

The  specimens,  Nos  '265  and  263,  were  obtained  from  the  shale 
that  forms  the  north  bank  of  Westfield  river,  in  West  Springfield  ; 
and  from  their  general  aspect,  I  suspect  them  to  be  Encrini :  though 
they  may  be  of  the  same  nature  as  the  remains  just  described.  The 
mineralizer  in  this  case  seems  to  be  argillo-ferruginous  limestone,  ex- 
cept the  central  part. 

Whether  the  Nos.  283,  284,  are  to  be  regarded  as  organic  relics,  I 
feel  unable  to  decide. 

Theoretical  Considerations. 

The  new  red  sandstone  series  that  has  been  described,  consisting 
chiefly  of  the  fragments  of  older  rocks  from  the  surrounding  region, 
must  obviously  have  been  produced  chiefly  by  the  agency  of  currents 
of  water,  which  first  wore  away  these  rocks,  and  then  transported 
and  deposited  the  fragments  where  we  now  find  them.  By  what 
agent  or  agents  their  consolidation  was  effected,  we  may  not  be  able, 
perhaps,  in  the  present  state  of  geological  science,  to  determine.  We 
do  know,  however,  that  water,  air,  and  heat,  may  all,  under  certain 
circumstances,  accomplish  this  work.  Water  may  contain  in  solu- 
tion some  cement,  say  carbonate  of  lime,  which  shall  be  deposited  in 
the  interstices  between  water  worn  fragments  and  thus  unite  them. 
Air,  it  is  also  well  known,  by  abstracting  water  from  some  of  the  ma- 
terials that  form  rocks,  does  sometimes  effect  their  consolidation. 
31 


242  Scientific  Geology. 

Heat,  likewise,  in  the  same  manner,  and  if  it  be  sufficiently  powerful, 
by  producing  also  a  crystalline  arrangement  of  the  materials,  will 
harden  them  into  stone.  Now  in  the  case  of  the  red  sandstone,  all 
these  causes  may  have  conspired  to  effect  its  consolidation.  The  ex- 
istence of  beds  of  limestone  in  this  formation,  and  of  carbonate  of 
lime  diffused  through  some  varieties  of  the  shale  and  even  of  the 
coarse  conglomerates,  shows  that  deposition  from  chemical  solution 
in  water,  was  one  of  the  important  agencies  concerned  in  its  produc- 
tion. The  inclined  position  of  the  strata,  as  well  as  the  character  of 
the  organic  remains,  show  that  these  rocks  have  been  elevated  from 
beneath  the  water,  and  of  consequence  have  been,  at  least  in  part, 
hardened  by  dessication.  And  the  presence  of  trap  rocks  in  the 
midst  of  the  formation,  not  to  speak  of  other  proofs  of  igneous  action, 
demonstrates  the  agency  of  heat  in  its  consolidation. 

It  will  naturally  be  enquired,  how  the  red  color,  so  characteristic 
of  the  most  important  varieties  of  this  rock,  could  have  been  pro- 
duced. Uundoubtedly  it  proceeds  from  the  red  oxide  of  iron,  which, 
in  some  way,  has  been  diffused  through  the  mass.  But  whether  heat 
or  water  was  the  agent  employed,  may  be  doubtful.  We  find  on 
breaking  open  the  fragments  in  the  conglomerates,  that  the  smaller 
ones  are  penetrated  throughout  by  this  coloring  matter ;  while  the 
larger  ones  are  colored  only  to  a  certain  depth.  (See  No.  143.) 
Now,  has  the  iron  actually  penetrated  these  nodules,  or  has  water  or 
heat  changed  the  iron,  which  they  originally  contained,  into  the  pe- 
roxide 1  The  latter  supposition  appears  to  me  most  probable ;  and 
though  air  and  water  might  possibly  produce  such  a  change  to  some 
extent,  yet  I  think  we  must  call  in  the  agency  of  heat  to  explain  the 
very  thorough  manner  in  which  some  of  the  finer  sandstones  of  this 
group,  have  been  colored  red.  For  I  doubt  whether  air  and  water 
can  do  much  in  this  process,  unless  they  also  produce  incipient  de- 
composition. 

In  another  place  I  have  advanced  an  hypothesis  to  explain  the 
manner  in  which  such  sudden  and  numerous  alternations  of  the 
coarsest  and  the  finest  materials  in  this  rock  may  have  been  produced  ; 
viz.  by  the  flux  and  reflux  of  mighty  deluges,  caused  by  the  elevation 
of  mountain  chains  in  various  parts  of  the  globe.  Some  of  these 
waves  may  have  resulted  from  the  elevation  of  the  strata  of  the  older 
rocks  on  which  the  sandstone  rests  unconformably :  for  the  strata  of 
the  former  are  much  nearer  to  verticality  than  those  of  the  latter ;  and, 
therefore,  must  have  been  raised  before  the  deposition  of  the  sand- 


Theoretical  Considerations.  243 

stone,  at  least  to  some  extent.  In  some  cases,  however,  there  is  rea- 
son to  believe  that  the  abraded  fragments  were  transported  southerly. 
Thus,  the  conglomerate  in  Greenfield  and  Bernardston,near  theargillo- 
micaceous  slate,  out  of  whose  ruins  it  was  obviously  formed,  (Nos.  137, 
138,  139,)  lies  south  of  the  parent  rock  :  though  a  stratum  of  the  slate 
might  once  have  extended  farther  south  than  at  present,  and  have  been 
worn  away  by  the  powerful  reflux  wave  which  rushed  easterly,  when 
the  Hoosac  range  of  mountains  was  elevated.  The  fragments  of  the 
conglomerate  of  Mount  Toby,  and  in  Montague,  correspond  some- 
what with  rocks  found  several  miles  to  the  north,  within  the  limits  of 
Vermont  and  New  Hampshire :  though  it  must  be  admitted  that 
these  rocks  also,  might  once  have  extended  farther  to  the  south  than 
they  now  do. 

It  is  an  interesting  enquiry,  whether  the  greenstone  ranges  now  ex- 
isting in  the  very  midst  of  the  sandstone  formation,  were  produced 
anterior  to  that  rock,  or  during  the  same  epoch,  or  afterwards.  In 
all  the  lower  beds  of  the  sandstone  formation,  I  have  never  found  a 
single  fragment  of  the  greenstone ;  and,  therefore,  I  infer  that  the 
latter  rock  did  not  exist  previous  to  the  deposition  of  these  beds.  Nor 
have  I  found  any  of  the  trap  in  the  conglomerates  of  the  higher  beds, 
except  a  narrow  stratum,  which  I  have  described  under  the  name  of 
trap  conglomerate;  and  which  lies  in  immediate  contact  with  the 
greenstone  of  Tom  and  Holyoke,  so  as  to  rest  upon  them.  Green- 
stone must,  therefore,  have  existed  in  the  vicinity  before  the  formation 
of  this  conglomerate ;  and  there  is  only  one  difficulty  in  supposing  the 
whole  of  the  greenstone  in  the  Connecticut  valley  to  have  been  pro- 
duced immediately  subsequent  to  the  deposition  of  the  lower  beds  of 
the  sandstone.  From  some  facts  to  which  I  have  already  alluded, 
and  which  I  shall  describe  more  particularly  in  speaking  of  green- 
stone, it  would  seem  that  the  upper  beds  of  the  sandstone,  those  that 
lie  even  higher  up  in  the  series  than  the  trap  conglomerate,  have  been 
disturbed  and  elevated  by  the  intrusion  of  the  greenstone.  Hence  I 
should  infer,  that  the  greenstone  continued  to  be  produced,  until  nearly 
all  the  beds  of  sandstone  had  become  consolidated;  and  that  probably 
the  existing  trap  ridges  were  the  latest  erupted.  From  all  these 
facts,  then,  I  infer,  that  greenstone  began  to  be  erupted  not  far  from 
the  middle  of  the  epoch  of  the  deposition  of  the  sandstone;  and  con- 
tinued to  be  thrown  up  at  intervals,  during  the  remainder  of  the  pe- 
riod in  which  the  sandstone  formation  was  advancing  to  its  comple- 
tion. 


244  Scientific  Geology. 

I  have  assumed  it  as  a  fact,  that  the  sandstone  formation  under  con- 
sideration was  deposited  beneath  the  ocean  and  subsequently  elevated. 
The  proof  is  quite  conclusive.  Imperfect  as  is  the  account  which  I 
have  been  able  to  give  of  the  organic  remains  in  this  group,  it  contains 
enough,  I  think,  to  settle  this  point.  To  whatever  species  the  Fu- 
coides  that  occurs  in  the  lower  beds  may  be  referred,  we  may  be  sure 
that  it  was  a  marine  plant.  For,  says  Adolphe  Brongniart,  "these 
plants  (the  Algae,  including  the  Ulvaceae  and  Fucoideae)  grow 
almost  without  exception  in  salt  water  ;  certain  Ulvae  only  being  able 
to  develope  themselves  in  fresh  water."*  This  opinion  is  still  farther 
confirmed  by  what  that  same  writer  says  of  the  species  of  Fucoides 
found  in  the  new  red  sandstone  of  Mansfeld,  in  Germany,  including 
of  course  the  bituminous  marlite.  "Out  of  seven  species,"  he  says, 
"  five,  to  all  appearance,  belong  to  two  genera  which  best  characterise 
marine  vegetation  in  the  torrid  zone."f  If  the  reticulated  fossil, 
which  I  have  described,  be  a  real  Gorgonia,  as  I  suppose,  it  furnishes 
another  conclusive  proof  of  the  marine  origin  of  this  formation :  for 
this  animal  is  exclusively  marine.  As  to  the  fishes  found  in  the  shale 
of  this  formation,  Brongniart  says  that  "many  of  them  may  be  referred 
to  genera  living  commonly  in  fresh  water :  but  others  are  generally 
marine ;"  and  he  infers  from  the  other  fossils  that  occur  in  the  same 
rock,  that  it  was  deposited  in  salt  water.  Concerning  the  Paloeo- 
thrissum,  the  only  genus  of  fishes  yet  found  in  our  sandstone,  as  no 
similar  fish  is  now  known  to  exist  on  the  globe,  we  cannot  say  wheth- 
er it  was  an  inhabitant  of  fresh  or  salt  water,  except  that  the  other 
remains  found  in  connection  with  this,  so  far  as  we  know  their  na- 
ture, are  marine  ;  and,  therefore,  we  infer  that  this  fish  was  so  too. 

This  conclusion  corresponds  with  those  that  have  been  made  in 
other  countries,  as  to  the  new  red  sandstone  group.  Every  where  it 
is  found,  when  carefully  examined,  to  have  had  a  marine  origin ; 
though  some  members  of  the  series  do  contain  fresh  water  remains, 
or  those  of  land  animals,  or  vegetables ;  and  hence  they  are  some- 
times called  fluvio-marine  :  that  is,  they  were  formed  in  estuaries,  or 
shallow  seas,  into  which  the  organic  products  of  the  land  and  fresh 
water  were  occasionally  borne  by  rivers.  But  in  the  new  red  sand- 
stone of  the  Connecticut  valley,  no  fossil  has  yet  been  found,  which 
is  decidedly  of  fluviatile,  lacustrine,  or  terrestrial  origin. 

*  Historic  des  Vegetaux  Fossiles,  I.  Livraison,  p.  37. 
i  Idem,  p.  43. 


Theoretical  Considerations.  245 

4» 

It  is  certainly  an  interesting  thought,  that  this  delightful  valley, 
which  now  forms  so  charming  a  residence  for  man,  once  constituted, 
and  for  an  immense  period,  the  bottom  of  a  tropical  ocean,  where 
gigantic  Gorgoniae,  certainly  20,  and  perhaps  40  feet  high,  formed 
coral  groves,  and  Fucoideae  more  numerous,  flourished.  The  aston- 
ishing change  brought  about  in  the  course  of  ages,  exalts  our  con- 
ceptions of  the  wisdom  and  extent  of  the  plans  of  the  Deity ;  and 
leads  us  to  anticipate  future  changes,  whenever  those  plans  require. 

I  have  said  it  was  a  tropical  ocean.  I  mean  that  its  temperature 
was  much  higher  than  that  of  the  ocean  which  now  washes  our 
shores.  For  otherwise,  how  could  sea-fans,  larger  than  any  which 
our  tropical  seas  now  produce,  have  been  sustained.  The  fact  that 
in  early  times,  while  the  secondary  rocks  were  depositing,  the  climate 
in  high  latitudes  must  have  been  much  warmer  than  at  present,  is, 
indeed,  so  completly  established  by  researches  in  other  parts  of  the 
world,  that  it  would  be  strange  if  we  should  not  find  the  same  thing 
to  be  true  on  this  continent.  But  the  few  facts  which  I  have  detailed 
that  throw  any  light  on  this  enquiry,  all  tend  to  show  that  there  is  no 
exception  here  to  the  general  law.  New  England  certainly  had  a 
tropical  climate  when  the  ocean  that  deposited  the  new  red  sandstone 
stood  over  it.  And  Adolphe  Brongniart  says,  that  two  species  of 
Fucoides,  found  in  the  limestone  of  Canada,  approach  very  near  to  a 
genus  of  these  plants  that  now  grows  only  in  tropical  seas  :  a  fact 
that  tends  to  corroborate  the  views  which  have  been  presented  rela- 
tive to  the  new  red  sandstone  of  the  Connecticut  valley. 

A.  careful  examination  of  the  fossils  of  this  sandstone,  will  con- 
vince any  one  that  their  resemblance  to  any  now  found  living  on  the 
globe,  is  very  faint :  so  that  probably  they  cannot  be  referred  to  the 
same  genera,  much  less  to  the  same  species.  This  too  accords  with 
the  facts  that  have  been  observed  in  other  parts  of  the  world.  The 
farther  down  in  the  series  of  rocks  we  penetrate,  the  more  unlike 
living  animals  and  plants  are  those  found  in  a  fossil  state.  And  it 
seems  to  be  now  pretty  well  established,  that  there  have  been  several 
successive  creations  and  extinctions  of  animals  and  plants  on  our 
globe,  before  the  production  of  its  present  organized  beings.  It  is 
not  certainly  ascertained  how  many  of  these  destructions  and  renew- 
als have  taken  place.  Adolphe  Brongniart  thinks  that  four  changes 
of  this  kind  are  clearly  discernible  among  fossil  vegetables.*  Hence 

*  Dictiounairc  D'Historie  Naturelle,  Art.  Vegetaux  fosssilee. 


246  Scientific  Geology. 

he  infers,  that  there  have  been  four  periods  of  vegetation  since  the 
creation ;  each  differing  from  the  other  by  a  marked  distinction  in 
the  species,  and  even  genera  of  plants,  and  in  the  numerical  propor- 
tion of  the  different  kinds.  During  the  first  period,  the  strata,  from 
the  lowest  fossiliferous  rocks  to  the  lower  part  of  the  new  red  sand- 
stone, were  deposited.  The  second  period  includes  the  time  during 
which  the  new  red  sandstone  series  was  forming.  During  the  third 
period,  the  vegetables  lived,  which  are  found  between  the  new  red 
sandstone  group  and  the  chalk,  including  the  latter.  The  fourth  pe- 
riod commenced  after  the  deposition  of  the  chalk,  and  reaches  to  the 
highest  of  the  tertiary  deposites.  During  each  successive  period, 
the  vegetation  becomes  more  perfect ;  that  is  to  say,  vascular  crypto- 
gamian  plants  predominated  vastly  during  the  early  periods,  while 
dicotyledonous  and  monotyledonous  vegetables  prevailed  during  the 
last  period.  The  same  is  true*in  respect  to  animals.  Those  found 
in  the  lowest  rocks  are  extremely  simple  in  their  organization,  and 
vertebral  animals,  except  perhaps  a  few  fishes,  do  not  appear  lower 
down  than  the  new  red  sandstone  ;  while  land  animals  begin  to  ap- 
pear still  higher  in  the  series. 

The  conclusions  of  Dr.  Macculloch  appear  to  coincide  nearly  with 
those  of  Brongniart :  and  the  former  writer  takes  animals  as  well  as 
vegetables  into  the  account.  "  Thus  then,"  says  he,  "  if  these  views 
are  correct,  I  have  demonstrated  four  extinctions  of  antecedent  organ- 
ized creations  ;  while  there  are  two  more  perhaps  less  satisfactorily 
proved."*  He  seems  to  be  disposed  afterwards  to  raise  this  number 
to  seven,  or  even  eight,  including  man  and  the  existing  race  of  an- 
imals. 

I  am  aware  that  such  conclusions  as  these  will  seem  to  many  at 
variance  with  the  sacred  record.  For  Moses  speaks  only  of  one 
creation  of  plants  and  animals.  But  if  it  be  only  admitted,  as  it 
seems  to  me  the  principles  of  a  just  interpretation  demand,  that  after 
mentioning  the  original  production  of  the  universe  out  of  nothing, 
he  leaves  untouched  an  indefinite  period,  of  what  may  be  called  the 
semi-chaotic  state  of  the  globe,  we  shall  find  no  difficulty  in  reconcil- 
ing every  apparent  discrepancy.  For  during  this  long  period,  all 
those  creations,  which  the  strata  now  reveal,  may  have  taken  place ; 
and  the  animals  and  plants  thus  brought  to  light,  are  of  exactly  the 
character  which  we  should  expect  might  exist  in  a  semi-chao.tic  con- 

*  System  of  Geology,  Vol.  2,  p.  432. 


Theoretical  Considerations.  247 

dition  of  the  globe.  But  of  what  possible  use,  in  a  moral  point  of 
view,  and  in  a  revelation  for  the  great  mass  of  mankind,  would  it 
have  been,  to  have  given  an  account  of  the  creation  and  extinction  of 
certain  huge  ferns,  sea  weeds,  zoophytes,  and  sea  monsters,  whose 
relics  would  be  brought  to  light,  not  till  several  thousand  years  after- 
wards, by  the  researches  of  geologists  ? 

So  far  then  from  rinding  in  these  facts  and  conclusions  any  objec- 
tions to  the  Mosaic  records,  I  find  in  them  a  striking  evidence  of  the 
benevolence  of  the  Deity.  For  during  the  long  period  above  spoken 
of,  the  globe  was  evidently  preparing  for  the  residence  of  man,  and 
the  other  animals  that  now  inhabit  it.  Before  their  creation,  its  tem- 
perature was  too  high,  and  its  surface  too  liable  to  be  broken  up  by 
volcanoes  and  drenched  by  deluges,  to  be  a  secure  and  happy  abode 
for  the  more  perfect  races  of  animals  that  now  inhabit  it.  But  it  was 
adapted  to  the  nature  and  habits  of  such  animals  and  vegetables  as 
we  now  find  entombed  in  the  rocks.  The  overflowing  benevolence 
of  the  Deity,  therefore,  led  him  to  place  such  beings  upon  it ;  and 
thus  to  communicate  a  vast  amount  of  happiness,  which  seems  to  be 
a  grand  object  in  all  his  plans  and  operations.  The  vegetables  that 
existed  in  those  early  periods,  have  been  converted,  in  the  course  of 
time,  into  the  various  species  of  coal  now  dug  from  the  bowels  of  the 
earth ;  while  the  remains  of  the  animals  of  those  times  have  become 
changed  into  limestone.  And  even  those  violent  volcanic  agencies, 
by  which  the  successive  races  of  plants  and  animals  have  been  sud- 
denly destroyed,  have  probably  introduced  into  the  upper  part  of  the 
earth's  crust,  various  metallic  veins,  very  important  to  human  happi- 
ness. And  in  all  this,  we  see  indications  of  that  same  benevolent 
foresight  and  care,  for  supplying  the  wants  of  his  creatures,  to  which 
our  daily  individual  experience  of  God's  goodness  testifies. 

I  deduce  another  moral  consideration  of  no  little  importance,  from 
the  facts  and  conclusions  that  have  been  stated.  So  constant  and 
uniform  are  the  operations  of  nature  in  general,  that  philosophy  has 
always  been  prone  to  regard  the  universe  as  a  most  curious  machine, 
set  in  motion  at  the  beginning  by  an  all-wise  being,  who  having  fur- 
nished it  with  every  thing  requisite  to  keep  it  eternally  in  play,  has 
left  it  to  run  on  in  the  prescribed  course,  without  his  interference, 
and  without  any  need  even  of  his  direction  and  superintendance, 
Indeed,  some  have  thought  this  machine  so  perfect,  as  to  need  no 
creating  and  superintending  Cause,  if  we  only  admit  it  to  have  been 
eternally  in  motion.  But  these  records  of  geology  show  us  that  this 


248  Scientific  Geology. 

supposed  uniformity  has  been  often  broken  in  upon.  For  if  the 
geologist  can  explain  how  the  operation  of  natural  laws  might  de- 
stroy races  of  plants  and  animals,  he  must  admit  a  special  mirac- 
alous  interference  in  the  creation  of  new  ones.  The  resemblances 
between  the  plants  and  animals  in  each  of  the  divisions  of  the  strata, 
that  have  been  mentioned,  even  to  the  very  limits  of  each  division, 
and  the  suddenness  of  the  change  that  then  takes  place  in  their  char- 
acters, preclude  the  idea,  so  much  of  a  favorite  with  certain  philoso- 
phers, that  all  was  the  result  of  a  gradual  metamorphosis.  Now  if  we 
thus  ascertain  that  God  has  specially  interfered  with  the  operation  of 
natural  laws  in  the  instances  under  consideration,  the  presumption  is, 
that  he  may  interfere  again,  whenever  the  good  of  his  universe  de- 
mands. Thus  do  we  get  rid  of  a  host  of  atheistical  objections,  with 
which  the  student  of  natural  theology  finds  his  path  encumbered. 
It  would  have  been  well,  if  some,  who  can  see  nothing  but  atheistical 
tendencies  in  the  principles  of  geology,  had  recollected,  before  filling 
their  pages  with  uncandid  vituperation  of  this  science  and  its  culti- 
vators,* that  it  is  the  only  science  whose  principles  could  furnish 
such  a  refutation. 

I  have  here  entered  only  upon  the  limits  of  a  wide  field.  I  can- 
not proceed  farther.  The  great  interest  which  every  reflecting  man 
feels  in  speculations  of  this  kind,  and  the  expectation  of  being  misun- 
understood  if  I  entered  into  no  explanation,  (should  these  labors  be 
made  public,)  have  led  me  to  venture  thus  far. 

5.    GRAYWACKE. 

This  term,  it  is  well  known,  has  occasioned  much  perplexity  in 
geology ;  and  on  many  accounts,  besides  its  cacophony,  it  would  be 
well  perhaps  to  expunge  it  from  the  science.  Yet  I  could  find  no 
term  more  convenient,  as  a  sort  of  index,  to  an  interesting  group  of 
rocks,  partly  chemical  and  partly  mechanical  in  their  structure, 
occurring  in  several  places  in  the  eastern  part  of  Massachusetts. 
The  varieties  included  in  the  group  are  quite  numerous ;  and  some 
of  them  exceedingly  unlike  the  others  in  composition  and  appear- 
ance. Among  them  all  it  may  perhaps  be  doubted,  whether  the  ex- 
act classical  graywacke  of  Werner  can  be  found.  But  later  geolo- 

*  See  Perm's  Comparative  Estimate  of  the  Mineral  and  Mosaical  Geologies,  2 
vols.  8vo. 


Graywacke.  249 

gists  have  given  the  term  a  much  wider  range.  "  It  designates, 
when  taken  in  a  more  general  sense,"  says  Humboldt,*  "  every  con- 
glomerate, sandstone,  and  fragmentary  or  arenaceous  rock  of  transi- 
tion formation,  that  is  anterior  to  the  red  sandstone  and  coal  forma- 
tion." "  Viewed  on  the  large  scale,"  says  De  la  Beche,f  "the  gray- 
wacke  series  consists  of  a  large  stratified  mass  of  arenaceous  and 
slaty  rocks,  intermingled  with  patches  of  limestone,  which  are  often 
continuous  for  considerable  distances."  I  use  the  term  in  "  the  gen- 
eral sense  "  described  by  Humboldt ;  and  include  in  it,  both  the  *  gray- 
wacke  group,'  and  '  the  lowest  fossiliferous  group,'  of  De  la  Beche  ; 
though  I  am  not  sure  that  our  series  embraces  any  limestone.  And 
since  the  red  sandstone  does  not  occur  in  the  eastern  part  of  the 
State,  nor  any  other  secondary  rock,  I  am  not  sure  that  the  series 
under  consideration,  ought  to  be  regarded  as  rilling  up  the  whole 
space  between  the  red  sandstone  and  the  primary  rocks.  But  every 
geologist  who  examines  this  series,  sees  at  once  that  some  members 
of  it  must  belong  to  the  oldest  of  those  rocks  which  some  writers  de- 
denominate  transition.  For  the  lower  beds  pass  insensibly  into  pri- 
mary rocks ;  and  generally,  a  chemical  agency  is  obvious  in  their 
structure,  in  the  veins  of  quartz  by  which  they  are  frequently  trav- 
ersed, and  in  their  sub-crystalline  aspect.  There  is,  also,  a  plumba- 
ginous appearance  in  the  anthracite  found  in  these  rocks,  which  does 
not  exist,  except  in  the  carbon  of  the  older  intermedial  and  primary 
rocks,  and  which  increases  with  the  age  of  the  rock  in  which  it  oc- 
curs. The  Rhode  Island  coal  exhibits  more  of  this  character  than 
that  of  Pennsylvania ;  and  that  from  Worcester  appears  much  more 
like  mineral  carbon  than  either ;  which  gradation  corresponds  with 
the  opinion  I  have  adopted  as  to  the  relative  ages  of  these  several 
coal  formations. 

Upon  the  whole  we  may  be  certain,  I  think,  that  the  formation 
under  consideration  in  Massachusetts  and  Rhode  Island,  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  series  generally  called  transition.  But  whether  it  is  pre- 
cisely identical  with  any  European  member  of  that  series,  I  suppose 
we  do  not  yet  possess  the  data  for  determining.  The  only  organic 
remains  yet  found  in  this  formation  are  vegetable  ;  which  will  not 
enable  us  even  to  prove  that  it  belongs  to  the  transition  series,  if  a  re- 
mark of  Al.  Brongniart  be  true,  that  "no  species  of  plant  has  been  foun%d 

*  Superposition  of  Rocks,  p.  201. 

f  Geological  Manual,  p.  433. 

32 


250  Scientific  Geology. 

in  the  transition  series,  (terrains  hemilysiens,)  which  being-  peculiar 
to  that  class,  differs  essentially  from  those  found  in  the  later  rocks."* 
And  we  have  seen  that  Adolphe  Brongniart  regards  as  belonging  to 
the  first  period  of  vegetation,  all  the  rocks  below  the  new  red  sand- 
stone. De  la  Beche  does,  indeed,  mention  that  the  crustaceous  ani- 
mal Calymene  Blumenbachii  has  been  found  at  Newport,  United 
States :  meaning,  probably,  Newport,  Rhode  Island.  And  were  this 
the  fact,  it  would  be  important  in  determining  the  question  as  to  the 
transition  character  of  the  rocks  in  question  ;  since,  according  to  Al. 
Brongniart,  the  trilobites  "pertain  exclusively  to  the  hemilysian 
rocks."  But  on  looking  into  the  Tableau  des  Terrains,  &c.  of  this 
writer,  (p.  429,)  from  whence  De  la  Beche  must  have  derived  his 
information,  we  find  that  he  speaks  of  Newport  as  near  Utica ;  (Leb- 
anon sur  V Ohio,  et  Newport,  pres  Utica,  Amer,  Sept.)  a  misprint, 
perhaps,  for  Lockport.  Besides,  he  describes  the  fossil  as  from  lime- 
stone, a  rock  which  at  Newport  contains  no  fossils. 

After  these  explanations,  I  trust  it  will  be  obvious  that  it  is  not  my 
object  to  identify  the  rocks  in  question,  with  the  graywacke  of  Eu- 
rope :  but  simply  to  describe  them  as  they  are.  And  though  it  would 
be  gratifying  to  find  that  all  our  fragmentary  and  fossiliferous  rocks 
correspond  exactly  with  those  of  other  continents,  yet  I  am  more  and 
more  inclined  to  doubt  whether  such  identity  can  ever  be  made  out. 
For  if,  as  we  have  every  reason  to  believe,  these  rocks  were  deposited 
in  the  beds  of  former  seas  and  lakes,  as  similar  ones  are  now  form- 
ing, why  should  we  not  expect  as  much  diversity  in  their  composition 
and  organic  remains,  in  different  quarters  of  the  globe,  as  we  should 
find  in  the  sandstones,  conglomerates,  and  limestones,  which  would 
result  from  the  consolidation  and  elevation  of  the  sand,  gravel,  and 
calcareous  matter,,  that  constitutes  the  bottom  of  existing  seas,  estua- 
ries, and  lakes  ?  Should  such  a  consolidation  and  elevation  take 
place,  we  might  perhaps  find  resemblances  enough  between  distant 
strata  to  prove  them  of  contemporaneous  origin,  and  the  result  of  the 
same  general  causes.  Still,  we  should  undoubtedly  find  much  in 
each  group  of  strata,  of  a  sui  generis  character,  and  not  a  few  groups 
entirely  peculiar  and  independant ;  though  produced  during  the  same 
geological  epoch.  Hence,  then,  is  it  not  best  to  direct  one's  chief 
efforts  to  give  a  correct  description  of  our  rocks,  rather  than  spend 
the  time  in  efforts  to  identify  them  with  European  formations  ?  Many 

*  Tableau  des  Terrains,  p.  291. 


Graywacke.  25 1 

writers  seem  to  feel  as  if  nothing  were  done,  until  this  identity  be 
established.  But  it  may  appear  hereafter,  that  their  labor  has  been 
almost  in  vain.  How  much  toil  and  perplexity  have  geologists  en- 
dured, in  endeavoring  to  ascertain  whether  particular  formations 
ought  to  be  referred  to  the  transition  class  of  Werner  !  And  yet, 
how  few  geologists  there  are,  who  do  not  now  admit  that  there  is 
scarcely  the  vestige  of  a  foundation  for  this  class  in  nature :  regard- 
ing the  introduction  of  this  class  into  the  nomenclature,  (in  the  words 
of  Mr.  Greenough*)  like  an  attempt  "  to  increase  the  list  of  primitive 
colors  by  the  addition  of  mixed  tints,  or  the  list  of  notes  in  music  by 
telling  in  the  flats  and  sharps." 

In  the  present  case,  however,  waving  all  general  principles  such 
as  have  been  alluded  to,  I  freely  confess  that  I  am  not  thoroughly 
enough  acquainted  with  the  formation  which  I  denominate  gray- 
wacke,  to  be  able  to  decide  whether  it  does,  or  does  not,  correspond 
with  any  known  European  formation.  Long  and  patient  study  of  its 
organic  remains  and  relative  position,  with  the  advantage  of  resi- 
dence in  its  vicinity,  ought  to  be  bestowed  upon  it,  before  we  can  set- 
tle this  question.  On  this  account  I  regard  it  as  premature  to  des- 
cribe as  new,  any  of  its  anomalous  varieties;  although  some  of  them 
differ  so  widely  from  the  general  type  of  the  group,  that  they  really 
deserve  distinct  names,  when  these  can  be  applied  without  the  danger 
of  encumbering  the  science  with  synonymes.  If  it  be  the  geologist's 
object  to  advance  the  science,  he  ought  to  forego  the  gratification,  and 
it  may  be  the  honor,  of  affixing  new  names  to  anomalous  rocks,  until 
they  have  undergone  a  most  rigid  scrutiny.  Indeed,  in  my  opinion, 
very  few  of  the  rocks  in  this  country,  except  perhaps  the  primary 
ones,  have  yet  been  examined  thoroughly  enough  to  render  it  certain 
that  they  are  so  radically  different  from  those  already  described  in 
Europe,  as  to  deserve  distinct  names.  Whoever  covets  the  ephemeral 
honor  of  applying  them  thus  prematurely,  may  be  sure  that  every 
cautious  and  able  geologist  will  refuse  to  adopt  them ;  and  regard 
them  as  more  indicative  of  self-  sufficiency  and  vanity,  than  of  scien- 
tific acumen. 

Miner  alogical  Characters  of  the  Graywacke. 

This  rock  varies  in  texture  from  the  finest  argillaceous  slate  and 
shale,  through  all  the  grades  of  sandstones,  up  to  the  coarsest  con- 

*  Greenough's  Geology,  p.  233. 


252  Scientific  Geology. 

glomerate  and  breccia.  The  imbedded  nodules  in  the  coarser  varie- 
ties, consist  of  almost  every  sort  of  primary  rock  found  in  the  eastern 
part  of  Massachusetts ;  and  the  prevailing  cement  is  argillaceous : 
sometimes,  however,  it  is  a  paste  of  compact  feldspar,  and  at  others 
of  mica,  tale,  or  steatite.  Perhaps,  however,  a  particular  description 
of  the  distinct  varieties  of  this  group  will  convey  the  most  accurate 
ideas  of  its  characters.  I  begin  with  those  which  probably  are  most 
common,  and  most  forcibly  arrest  the  attention,  not  merely  of  the 
geologist,  but  of  the  most  unpractised  observer. 

1.    Conglomerates.      The   rounded   nodules   in  the   variety  that 
abounds  most  throughout  the  whole  extent  of  the  formation,   (Nos. 
287  to  292,  and  307,)  particularly  in  Roxbury,  Dorchester,   Dighton, 
Swansey,  and  Somerset,  consist  of  granite,  sienite,  compact  feldspar, 
and  pehaps  hornstone  of  various  colors,  porphyry,  quartz,  argillace- 
ous and  flinty  slate,  novaculite,  serpentine,  and  nephrite.      These 
vary  in  size  from  that  of  a  pea  to  two  or  three  feet  in  diameter.     The 
cement  appears  to  be  chiefly  the  same  materials  in  a  comminuted 
state ;  exhaling,  however,  an  argillaceous  odor  when  breathed  upon. 
Although  the  imbedded  nodules  are  numerous,  yet  they  have  the  ap- 
pearance, as  Mr.  Maclure  describes  the  older  conglomerates,  "  as  if  the 
cement  at  the  time  of  formation  had  a  consistence  sufficient  to  pre- 
vent the  particles  from  touching  each  other."     The  cement  has  gen- 
erally a  semi-crystalline  aspect,  and  adheres  very  firmly  to  the  nod- 
ules.    Sometimes  the  rock  is  traversed  by  veins  of  quartz,  which  are 
attached  quite  strongly  to  the  rock.      So  thick,  and  often  indistinct, 
are  the  strata,  that  the  Messrs.  Danas  say  that  "  no  stratification  has 
been  observed  in  this  Graywacke."*     But  if  one  traverses  the  whole 
formation,  he  will  find  abundant  examples  of  this  structure;    and  in 
most  places  he  will  discover  it  by  careful  examination :    the  strata 
having  in  general  a  northerly  dip.     This  rock  is  also  intersected  by 
numerous  cross  seams,  more  commonly  perpendicular  to  the  layers, 
and  remarkable  for  the  exact  division  which  they  make  of  the  imbed- 
ded nodules  ;  so  that  one  part  of  the  pebble  appears  on  one  side  of  the 
seam,  and  the  other  part  on  the  opposite  side.      Veins  of  trap,  also, 
sometimes  traverse  this  conglomerate. 

Another  very  distinct  and  most  remarkable  conglomerate  occurs 
at  the  south  east  extremity  of  Rhode  Island,  in  Middletown,  near 
Sechuest  Beach,  three  miles  east  of  Newport.  (No.  294.)  It  is  com- 

*  Mineralogy  and  Geology  of  Boston  and  its  vicinity,  1818,  p.  94. 


Graywacke  Conglomerates.. 


253 


posed  of  elongated  rounded  nodules  of  quartz  rock,  and  quartz  rock 
passing  into  mica  slate,  with  a  cement  of  talcose  slate.  The  nodules 
vary  from  the  size  of  a  pigeon's  egg,  to  four,  and  even  six  feet  in  their 
longest  diameter,  and  constitute  the  great  mass  of  the  rock.  They 
are  so  arranged  that  their  longest  diameters  are  uniformly  parallel  to 
one  another :  lying  in  a  north  and  south  direction :  which  corres- 
ponds with  the  layers  of  the  schistose  cement,  and  also  with  the  gen- 
eral direction  of  the  strata  in  the  vicinity.  Both  the  nodules  and  the 
cement  abound  in  small,  distinct,  octahedral  crystals  of  magnetic  iron 
ore. 


Amphibolic  Aggregate. 
Graywacke  Slate.  * 


The  above  rough  sketch  of  the  southeast  point  of  Rhode  Island, 
will  assist  in  rendering  intelligible  the  relative  position  of  (this  con- 
glomerate, and  also  of  three  or  four  other  varieties  of  this  formation  to 
be  hereafter  described.  About  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from  the  coast,  three 
precipitous  bluffs,  a,  b,  c,  several  rods  wide,  separated  by  salt  marshes 
from  15  to  20  rods  wide,  rise  one  or  two  hundred  feet,  trending  north- 
erly, and  converging ;  so  as  apparently  to  unite  at  no  great  distance. 
The  two  most  easterly  ridges  are  very  steep,  and  exhibit  evidence  of 
having  been  powerfully  abraded.  The  outer  ridges,  a,  c,  consist  of 
the  peculiar  conglomerate  above  described:  the  central  one  consists  of  a 
hard  graywacke  slate,  and  a  very  singular  and  puzzling  rock,  which 
I  shall  venture  to  describe  as  an  amphibolic  aggregate.  Half  a  mile 
southeast  is  an  aggregate  of  quartz  and  mica  to  be  described  in  the 
sequel. 


254  Scientific  Geology. 

So  much  of  the  topography  of  these  rocks,  by  way  of  anticipation, 
seemed  necessary  in  order  to  explain  the  peculiar  structure  of  the 
conglomerate.  The  layers  of  the  graywacke  slate,  and  amphibolic 
aggregate  run  north  and  south,  and  dip  west,  60°  to  70°.  And  this, 
as  already  mentioned,  is  the  direction  in  which  the  nodules  and  schis- 
tose layers  of  the  cement  of  the  conglomerate  are  placed.  But  no 
strata  seams  are  to  be  seen  corresponding  to  the  dip  and  direction  of 
the  slate.  Yet  the  conglomerate  is  divided  into  horizontal  layers, 
from  six  to  ten  feet  thick  ;  and  also  by  seams  running  east  and  west, 
perpendicular  to  the  horizon,  and  parallel  to  one  another,  from  10  to 
20  feet  apart.  These  fissures  divide  the  thick  masses  of  conglomer- 
ate so  perfectly,  that  they  seem  as  if  cut  through  by  the  sword  of 
some  Titan.  The  nodules  through  which  the  fissure  passes,  are  di- 
vided very  neatly,  and  the  parts  present  even  surfaces,  so  as  to  give 
the  rock  a  quite  peculiar  aspect.  At  the  southern  extremity  of  the 
eastern  ramification  of  the  range  of  hills  above  described,  an  im- 
mense quantity  of  the  conglomerate  has  been  carried  away  by  former 
diluvial  action,  and  the  present  bluff  is  terminated  by  a'perpendicular 
wall,  exhibiting  this  bisection  of  the  nodules  in  a  most  striking  man- 
ner. On  account  of  the  size,  number,  and  parallel  position  of  these 
nodules,  this  singular  instance  of  fracture  is  much  more  remarkable 
than  in  the  variety  of  conglomerate  first  described. 

No  one  can  view  this  phenomenon  without  enquiring  immediately 
into  its  cause.  And  it  is  obvious  at  first  thought,  that  this  division  of 
the  strata  must  have  taken  place  since  their  perfect  consolidation : 
otherwise  the  nodules,  instead  of  breaking,  would  have  been  drawn 
out  of  the  paste.  Nor  could  mere  desiccation  have  produced  such 
an  effect,  for  the  same  reason.  Nor  does  any  hypothesis  afford  to  my 
mind  the  least  satisfaction,  except  that  which  supposes  these  fractures 
to  have  resulted  from  a  powerful  force,  acting  at  right  angles  to  the 
meridian,  beneath  the  conglomerate,  after  its  consolidation.  And 
when  we  find  large  deposites  of  granite  in  the  vicinity,  we  have  as- 
certained the  existence  of  a  power  adequate  to  such  an  effect :  al- 
though we  might-  resort  to  the  hypothesis  of  Elie  de  Beaumont, 
which  has  of  late  excited  so  much  interest,  and  which  imputes  most 
of  the  fractures  and  dislocations  of  the  earth's  crust  to  the  secular 
refrigeration  of  its  internal  parts,  whereby  its  outward  envelope  be- 
comes too  large  and  partially  plicated. 

Another  important  fact  in  respect  to  the  conglomerate  under  con- 
sideration, is  the  occurrence  in  it  of  numerous  veins  of  quartz.  Some 


Graywcke  Breccias.  255 

of  them  are  not  less  than  a  foot  wide;  and  they  are  frequently 
branched.  These  veins  separate  the  imbedded  nodules,  and  are 
chemically  united  to  the  divided  portions.  These  veins  and  the  semi- 
crystalline  aspect  of  the  cement  of  this  rock,  prove  it  to  be  one  of  the 
oldest  of  the  varieties  which  I  have  included  under  the  term  gray- 
wacke. 

2.  Breccias.  These  are  distinguished  from  the  conglomerates  by 
the  angular  shape  of  the  imbedded  fragments.  One  variety  (Nos. 
296,  297,)  consists  of  fragments  of  reddish  and  ash  colored  argilla- 
ceous slate,  united  by  an  argillaceous  or  arenaceous  cement.  This 
aggregate  is  slaty,  and  the  cement  has  a  porphyritic  appearance.  I 
have  observed  it  only  in  a  few  places  ;  as  at  Natick  and  Randolph. 
Another  variety,  approaching  to  slaty  porphyry,  appears  to  be  com- 
posed chiefly  of  compact  feldspar,  united  by  a  cement  of  comminuted 
porphyry.  This  was  found  also  in  Natick.  (No.  298.)  A  third  va- 
riety, (No.  299,)  of  which  I  found  only  a  bowlder  in  Saugus,  consists 
of  gray  compact  feldspar  (?)  and  indurated  wacke.  (?)  A  fourth 
consists  of  fragments  of  gray  and  yellowish  green  compact  feldspar, 
united  by  an  unknown  dark  colored  cement.  (No.  300.)  The  yel- 
lowish green  variety  appears  as  if  colored  by  epidote.  This  most 
singular  rock  occurs  at  the  head  of  Nantasket  Beach,  in  Cohasset ; 
and  when  its  ledges  are  moistened  by  the  spray,  they  present  a  most 
fantastic  and  really  a  very  splendid  appearance,  resembling  exceed- 
ingly variegated  serpentine.  The  rock  exhibits  no  regular  strata, 
although  divided  like  the  unstratified  rocks  generally  by  numerous 
seams.  It  is  associated  with  a  conglomerate,  similar  to  the  variety 
first  described  above,  and  I  suspect  it  to  be  the  rock  marked  in  Co- 
hasset on  the  map  of  the  Messrs.  Danas  as  *  Petrosilex.'  If  large 
blocks  can  be  obtained  and  it  will  admit  of  being  polished,  it  will 
furnish  an  elegant  ornamental  stone. 

The  conglomerate  just,  mentioned,  as  associated  with  the  breccia  at 
the  head  of  Nantasket  Beach,  extends  into  Hingham  ;  and  both  in 
Cohasset  and  Hingham,  it  assumes  a  character  intermediate  between 
puddingstone  and  breccia,  by  taking  into  its  composition  angular  and 
partly  rounded  masses  of  poryhyry,  greenstone,  and  amygdaloid. 
These  are  sometimes  so  numerous,  that  the  rock  might  easily  be  mis- 
taken for  a  variety  of  trap.  Neither  this  rock  nor  the  conglomerate, 
of  which,  indeed,  it  forms  a  part,  exhibit,  so  far  as  I  could  perceive, 
any  evidence  of  stratification  :  although  being  a  rock  of  mechanical 
origin,  it  is  undoubtedly  stratified. 


256  Scientific  Geology. 

As  we  pass  from  the  range  of  porphyry  and  compact  feldspar  on 
the  south  of  Boston  towards  the  graywacke,  and  if  I  mistake  not  at 
the  junction  of  the  two  rocks,  (e.  g.  in  Dorchester  and  Canton,)  wo 
meet  with  a  rock  of  a  peculiar  character,  whose  origin  appears  to  be 
in  part  mechanical.  The  compact  feldspar  seems  to  have  suffered 
some  degree  of  abrasion  after  its  consolidation,  and  the  fragments  to 
have  been  reconsolidated  into  a  rock  more  or  less  slaty,  with  the  ad- 
mixture of  but  few  foreign  ingredients.  (Nos.  301,  302.)  It  would 
seem  to  have  been  partially  fused  the  second  time ;  or  perhaps  it 
might  have  been  produced  by  the  partial  cooling  of  the  compact  feld- 
spar at  its  junction  with  the  graywacke,  as  it  was  forced  through  that 
rock  while  in  a  melted  state.  This  would  account  for  its  semi-brec- 
ciated  aspect  and  slaty  structure,  and  the  occasional  presence  of  for- 
eign ingredients.  But  this  rock  deserves  a  more  careful  examination 
than  I  have  been  able  to  give  it. 

Our  compact  feldspar  is  slaty  in  some  other  places ;  as  at  New- 
bury  :  but  it  does  not  appear  to  have  been  recomposed. 

3.  Quartz  Rock.  I  thus  denominate  two  or  three  most  singular 
varieties  of  rock  in  the  formation  under  consideration,  because  quartz 
is  their  predominant  ingredient. 

The  most  remarkable  of  these  varieties  is  developed  very  distinctly 
at  the  southeastern  extremity  of  Rhode  Island ;  as  may  be  seen  by 
the  sketch  already  given  of  that  portion  of  the  Island.  It  consists  of 
coarse  grains  of  hyaline  quartz,  of  a  purple  color,  passing  to  deep 
blue  and  black,  with  tale  or  mica  ;  (it  is  difficult  to  say  which ;)  the 
materials  having  a  schistose  arrangement.  (Nos.  303  to  306.)  The 
quartz  bears  a  strong  resemblance  to  peliom,  and  constitutes  a  large 
part  of  the  rock.  The  aggregate  exhales  an  argillaceous  odor  when 
breathed  upon. 

This  same  rock  may  be  seen  at  the  mouth  of  Fall  River,  in  Troy, 
where  it  is  associated  with  an  argillaceous  slate,  passing  into  mica 
slate,  and  of  a  quite  dark  color  from  the  carbonaceous  matter  it  con- 
tains. At  this  place,  this  slate  and  quartz  rock  are  contiguous  to  gran- 
ite ;  and  they  may  be  seen  in  Tiverton,  lying  directly  upon  the  granite. 
In  Newport,  also,  granite  cannot  be  far  distant  from  the  same  rock. 
Do  not  these  facts  furnish  a  clue  to  the  origin  of  the  dark  color  of 
the  quartz  ?  Was  it  not  penetrated  by  the  carbonaceous  matter  of  the 
black  slate,  while  in  a  state  of  partial  fusion  by  the  action  of  the 
melted  granite  ? 

There  can  be  no  doubt  but  the  quartzose  rock  above  described,  is 


Graywacke  Formation.  257 

one  of  the  oldest  of  the  graywacke  formation.  Its  position  in  respect 
to  the  granite  is  proof  of  this.  In  Newport  it  lies  between  the  very 
ancient  conglomerate  that  has  been  described,  and  the  granite ;  al- 
though the  granite  does  not  appear,  I  believe,  till  we  cross  an  arm  of 
the  sea  into  Little  Compton. 

Another  aggregate,  in  this  formation,  which  may  be  called  quartz 
rock,  consists  of  red  or  reddish  hyaline  quartz,  somewhat  in  grains, 
with  a  small  quantity  of  mica,  so  that  the  rock  always  has  more  or 
less  of  a  slaty  structure ;  though  this  is  not  always  seen  but  by  close 
examination.  (Nos.  309  to  318.)  In  some  instances  its  layers  become 
quite  thin,  in  consequence  of  an  increase  of  the  mica :  but  they  are 
still  genuine  strata ;  for  these  layers  have  a  schistose  structure,  not 
coincident  with  their  planes.  This  red  quartz  rock  exceedingly  re- 
sembles red  sandstone  at  a  little  distance :  but  when  closely  exam- 
ined, it  is  found  to  consist  chiefly  of  red  hyaline  quartz,  which  ex- 
hibits little  evidence  of  a  mechanical  mode  of  production.  It  passes 
into  a  structure  distinctly  conglomerated,  and  may  perhaps  be  the 
equivalent  of  Dr.  Macculloch's  "  primary  red  sandstone; "  though  I 
have  no  evidence  that  it  alternates  with  any  primary  rock :  and  it 
contains  no  feldspar. 

Sometimes  this  rock  abounds  with  veins  of  quartz  giving  it  a  very 
rich  appearance.  I  have  noticed  these  veins  most  numerously  in 
the  south  part  of  Wrentham,  near  the  place  of  explorations  for  coal. 
(No.  318.) 

4.  Talcose  Aggregate,  (Steachist  ?  Phillips  and  Wood)  (Nos.  320 
to  323.)     This  is  a  slaty  rock,  composed  of  grains  of  quartz  and 
sometimes  feldspar,  with  talc  or  steatite:      It  lies  between  the  red 
quartz  rock  and  the  primary  rocks  in  Walpole  ;    though  not,  there- 
fore, older  than  the  quartz  rock ;   since  the  dip  of  both  is  such  there, 
as  to  bring  the  talcose  rock  uppermost.      It  often  exhibits  distinct 
fragments  of  previous  rocks,  and  passes  into  a  breccia  or  conglomer- 
ate ;  as  in  a  quarry  in  Cambridge,  two  miles  west  of  the  Univers- 
ity.    It  is  not  abundant  in  the  graywacke  formation ;    though  many 
of  the  oldest  varieties  of  this  formation  have  a  talcose  appearance. 

5.  Classical  Graywacke.     I  mean  by  this  term  to  designate  the 
rock  described  by  Werner's  ablest  commentator,  Professor  Jameson. 
He  says  that  Graywacke  "  is  composed  of  angular  or  other  shaped 
portions  of  quartz,  feldspar,  Lydian  stone,  and  clay  slate,   connected 
together  by  means  of  a  basis  or  ground  of  the  nature  of  clay  slate, 
which  is  often  highly  impregnated  with  silica,  thus  giving  to  the  mass 

33 


258  Scientific  Geology. 

a  considerable  degree  of  hardness.  The  imbedded  portions  vary  in 
size,  but  seldom  exceed  a  few  inches  in  breadth  and  thickness."  Bro- 
chant  does  not  include  in  the'term  graywacke  any  variety  of  rock 
"  whose  grains  exceed  the  size  of  a  hazle  nut."  Hence  the  conglom- 
erates that  have  been  described  above,  cannot  be  regarded  as  classical 
graywacke.  This  is  the  opinion  of  Professor  Webster  ;*  whose  op- 
portunities for  a  personal  examination  of  European  graywacke,  give 
his  decision  on  this  point  great  weight.  But  associated  with  these 
conglomerates,  we  have  rocks  of  a  much  finer  grain,  whose  compo- 
sition corresponds  essentially  with  the  above  definition  ;  (Nos.  324  to 
334,)  although  every  ingredient  may  not  in  all  cases  be  present. 
Sometimes  the  mass  is  colored  red  by  the  presence  of  the  red  oxide 
of  iron ;  as  in  Attleborough.  But  more  commonly  it  is  gray,  as  in 
Rehoboth.  It  often  becomes  fine  grained  and  passes  into  graywacke 
slate,  as  at  the  quarries  in  Pawtucket ;  where  it  is  traversed  by  nu- 
merous veins  of  quartz  mixed  with  calcareous  spar. 

6.  Graywacke  Slate.     This  variety  of  rock  is  quite  common  in 
this  formation.     Its  colors  are  either  gray  or  red ;    and  it  appears 
to  be  composed  in  a  great  measure  of  wacke.     Mica,  however,  some- 
times enters  into  its  composition.     Its  structure  is  always  slaty :  but 
the  layers  are  much  more  irregular  and  tortuous  than  argillaceous 
slate,  and  its  aspect  more  earthy ;  though  it  is  no  easy  matter  to  draw 
a  line  between  them.     It  is  traversed  frequently  by  veins  of  quartz. 
(Nos.  335  to  346.) 

7.  Argillaceous  Slate.     The  argillaceous  slate  in  the  eastern  part 
of  the  State  is  so  intimately  connected  with  the  varieties  of  rock 
above  noticed,  that  it  ought  in  justice  to  be  described  as  one  of  the 
members  of  the  graywacke  group ;    although  marked  as  a  distinct 
deposite  on  the  map.     That  this  is  one  of  the  oldest  varieties  of  this 
group,  I  have  no  doubt ;  but  certainly  not  older  than  some  that  have 
been  mentioned.     I  am  aware  that  fragments  of  this  slate  occur  in  one 
of  the  varieties  of  conglomerate  that  have  been  described ;  and  this 
not  only  shows  the  posterior  production  of  the  latter,  but  renders  it 
doubtful  whether  both  rocks  were  produced  during  the  same  geolog- 
ical epoch.     But  with  the  knowledge  that  I  possess  of  this  series  of 
rocks,  I  fear  that  an  attempt  to  divide  them  would  only  introduce 
confusion  into  my  account.     I  would  not  pretend  to  a  degree  of  ac- 
curacy to  which  I  have  not  attained. 

*  Boston  Journal  of  Philosophy  and  the  Arts,  Vol.  1.  p.  289. 


Amphibolic  Aggregate.  259 

I  have  no  doubt  that  this  argillaceous  slate  is  the  *  transition  clay 
slate'  of  the  Wernerians,  which  they  describe  as  associated  with  gray- 
wacke.  In  various  places  in  Rhode  Island  and  Massachusetts,  it  is 
highly  impregnated  with  carbonaceous  matter,  so  as  to  become  black ; 
and  it  usually  forms  the  floor  and  roof  of  the  beds  of  anthracite.  In 
general  its  color  is  dark  gray,  passing  to  blue  :  sometimes  of  a  cho- 
colate color,  and  sometimes  red.  It  is  rarely  fissile  enough  to  be 
employed  for  roofing,  and  frequently  its  layers  are  two  or  three  inches 
thick.  The  laminae,  or  rather  strata,  are  sometimes  much  curved ; 
as  on  Rainsford  Island,  in  Boston  Harbor.  Not  unfrequently  it  passes 
into  an  imperfect  novaculite ;  as  in  Charlestown,  Roxbury,  Wey- 
mouth,  Newbury,  and  some  of  the  outer  islands  in  Boston  Harbor. 
(Nos.  357  to  370.) 

8.  Amphibolic  Aggregate.  (No.  374.)     Nothing  is  more  difficult 
in  many  cases,  than  to  determine  the  nature  of  the  semi-crystalline 
minerals  entering  into  the  compositon  of  some  of  the  intermediary 
rocks.      They   seem   to   have   undergone   some   chemical  process, 
which  has  riot  been  thorough  enough  to   give   them  a   fully  devel- 
oped character.     In  the  present  instance  the  mass  appears  decidedly 
crystalline ;    yet  I  am   in   serious  doubt  whether  amphibole  is  the 
dark  green  mineral  in  it  that  exhibits  a  crystalline  structure.     An- 
other part  of  the  rock  presents  an  argillaceous  aspect,  and  exhales 
an  argillaceous  odor  when  breathed  upon.     But  had  I  found  it  among 
primary  rocks,  I  should  have  regarded  it  as  by  no  means  an  anomaly 
there :  especially  after  finding  in  it  a  vein,  four  inches  wide,  of  crys- 
tallized zoisite.     Yet  the  position  of  this  rock,  which  has  already 
been  pointed  out,  in  describing  the  conglomerate  of  the  southeast  part 
of  Rhode  Island,  clearly  proves  it  to  be  a  member  of  what  I  call  the 
graywacke  series :  for  it  is  situated  between  graywacke  slate  and 
conglomerate. 

9.  Varioloid  Wacke.     The  rock  which  I  thus  designate,  has  gener- 
ally been  regarded  by  those  who  have  described  the  Geology  of  Boston 
and  its  vicinity,  as  amygdaloid.     But  it  seems  to  me  that  there  are  in- 
superable objections  against  the  supposition  that  the  nodules  in  gen- 
eral were  introduced  by  infiltration,  or  even  sublimation ;    the  only 
modes  by  which  geologists  suppose  the  cavities  of  amygdaloid  were 
filled.     For  they  consist  generally  of  rounded  masses  of  compact 
feldspar  ;    a  substance  which  must  certainly  have  been  the  result  of 
igneous  fusion.     On  the  other  hand,  the  rounded  form  of  these  nod- 
ules, and  their  non-crystalline  structure  in  general,  forbid  the  arrange- 
ment of  this  rock  along  with  the  porphyries.     But  some  writers  re- 


260  Scientific  Geology. 

gard  variolites  as  rather  intermediate  between  porphyry  and  amygda- 
loid,* and  such  I  suppose  to  be  the  character  of  the  rock  under  consid- 
eration. By  the  term  varioloid,  however,  I  intend  merely  to  designate 
the  external  aspect  of  the  rock ;  since  the  mode  of  its  formation 
seems  involved  in  much  obscurity :  but  its  variolous  appearance  none 
can  deny. 

Brochant  describes  wacke  as  "  substance  intermediate  between  ba- 
salt and  clay."  This  description  will  apply  to  the  base  of  the  vario- 
loid rock  under  consideration.  It  is  found  in  Brookline,  Newton, 
Needham,  Hingham,  Brighton,  and  Saugus.  But  its  most  impor- 
tant varieties  are  found  in  the  three  latter  places,  and  deserve  a  par- 
ticular description. 

In  Brighton  the  wacke  is  of  a  chocolate  color,  and  quite  hard. 
The  nodules  are  mostly  rounded,  and  of  the  size  of  a  pea  j  but  some- 
times they  are  much  larger  and  irregular,  approaching  to  the  form 
of  veins.  Compact  feldspar,  epidote,  calcareous  spar,  and  quartz  are 
the  principal  minerals  of  which  they  are  composed.  Sometimes  the 
external  part  of  the  nodule  is  compact  feldspar,  or  calcareous  spar, 
and  the  central  part  epidote :  and  sometimes  quartz  occupies  the  cen- 
ter, invested  by  epidote.  The  epidote  is  crystallized,  although  the 
cavities  are  in  almost  every  instance  entirely  filled.  The  foliated 
structure  of  the  feldspar,  and  especially  of  the  calcareous  spar,  is 
not  unfrequently  visible,  though  generally  these  minerals  are  com- 
pact, and  very  hard.  But  the  two  last  seem  to  be  strangely  blended, 
as  if  they  had  been  partially  melted  together.  (Nos.  373,  377.) 

At  a  quarry  about  a  mile  southwest  of  Brighton  meeting  house, 
this  varioloid  rock  may  be  seen  passing  into  conglomerate,  showing 
that  it  is  only  a  variety  of  the  graywacke  formation. 

At  Hingham  the  greater  part  of  this  rock  is  of  a  deeper  red  than 
that  at  Brighton  ;  though  some  of  it  is  of  a  light  gray.  The  basis 
is  harder,  owing  perhaps  to  a  mixture  of  compact  feldspar.  The 
nodules  vary  in  size  from  that  of  a  pea  to  that  of  an  almond;  and 
consist  of  brownish  red  and  greenish  compact  feldspar,  with  carbon- 
ate of  lime  mixed  with  the  latter ;  or  in  separate  folia.  Not  unfre- 
quently the  red  compact  feldspar  encloses  the  green,  like  that  in 
Brighton.  This  rock  is  associated  with  a  conglomerate  of  the  gray 
wacke  formation.  (No.  374.) 

At  the  head  of  Nantasket  Beach,  I  found  a  rolled  mass  (No.  375) 

*Traite  de  Mineralogie,  Par.  T.  S.  Beudant,  (Paris,  1830,)  Vol.  1.  p.  569. 


Varioloid  Wacke.  261 

of  the  varioloid  rock,  whose  base  is  brownish  gray,  and  the  nodules 
a  greenish  compact  feldspar. 

In  Needham  this  rock  has  a  somewhat  slaty  structure,  is  hard,  and 
contains  distinct  crystals  of  feldspar  of  a  light  green  color.  (No.  378.) 
But  as  the  basis  is  obviously  wacke,  exhaling  an  argillaceous  odor, 
I  can  hardly  persuade  myself  to  place  it  among  the  porphyries. 
Suppose  this  Needham  rock  were  to  be  subject  to  a  degree  of  heat 
sufficient  to  fuse  the  feldspar,  without  essentially  altering  the  wacke, 
I  enquire  whether  the  result  would  not  be  a  rock  very  similar  to 
some  varieties  that  have  been  described  as  varioloid  wacke.  And 
may  not  this  have  have  been  the  mode  in  which  some  of  that  rock 
was  produced  ? 

The  most  remarkable  of  the  varioloid  rocks  which  I  am  describing, 
occurs  at  Saugus.  Near  the  center  of  the  place,  and  surrounded  by 
granite,  we  find  a  rock,  forming  a  hill  one  or  two  hundred  feet  high, 
composed  of  a  basis  of  green  wacke  and  white  compact  feldspar, 
with  an  occasional  mixture  of  carbonate  of  lime.  The  nodules  are 
rarely  so  large  as  a  bullet ;  more  commonly  about  the  size  of  small 
peas,  and  in  some  parts  of  the  rock,  so  very  numerous  that  it  seems 
hardly  possible  they  could  have  been  infiltrated  into  cavities  pre- 
viously made.  (No.  372.)  The  basis  is  a  pleasant  green.  I  saw 
no  conglomerate  or  other  variety  of  graywacke  in  the  vicinity. 

It  is  obvious  from  the  preceding  descriptions,  that  in  some  instan- 
ces—  particularly  at  Brighton  —  the  nodules  of  this  varioloid  rock 
must  have  been  at  least  partially  formed  by  the  infiltration  of  earths 
from  a  watery  solution  :  but  it  would  seem  that  this  was  only  a  part 
of  the  process.  For  it  is  difficult  to  conceive  how  such  minerals  as 
compact  feldspar  and  carbonate  of  lime  could  have  been  deposited  in 
a  compact  form  from  a  watery  solution  ;  since  they  crystallize  with 
so  much  readiness.  It  seems  to  me  that  we  must  call  in  the  agency 
of  heat,  after  the  infiltration  took  place,  by  which  the  crystals  might 
be  converted  into  a  compact  mass,  and  all  the  cavities  be  filled,  as 
they  are  in  almost  every  instance  :  and  if  we  suppose  granite,  sienite, 
&c.  to  have  had  an  igneous  origin,  we  can  be  at  no  loss  to  provide 
for  the  requisite  heat.  I  had  been  rather  disposed  to  regard  much 
of  this  rock  as  an  example  of  the  solid  concretionary  structure,  es- 
pecially that  at  Saugus.  But  the  occasional  evidence  of  infiltration 
led  me  to  abandon  that  hypothesis.  If  the  one  hinted  at  above 
is  more  satisfactory,  I  shall  be  gratified.  The  subject  is  certainly 
involved  in  much  obscurity. 


262 


Scientific  Geology. 


10.  Flinty  Slate.  11.  Chert.  12.  Jasper.  I  regard  these  rocks 
as  varieties  of  other  rocks,  produced  by  the  proximity  of  granite, 
porphyry,  or  trap  :  and  in  Massachusetts  they  are  merely  altered  va- 
rieties of  the  graywacke  formation  that  has  been  described.  Hence 
I  shall  treat  of  them  in  this  place.  The  sagacious  observations  of 
Dr.  Macculloch  concerning  the  origin  of  these  rocks,*  receive  strong 
confirmation  from  their  situation  in  New  England.  And  since  this 
is  a  subject,  concerning  which  geologists  are  as  yet  by  no  means 
agreed  in  opinion,  I  shall  exhibit  the  relative  position  of  these  rocks 
as  intelligibly  as  possible,  from  the  examinations  of  them  which  I 
have  been  able  to  make. 

Flinty  Slate  or  Siliceous  Schist. 

This  rock  I  have  found  only  in  two  places  in  the  district  which  I 
am  describing ;  viz.  in  Newport,  R.  Island,  and  on  the  promontory  of 
Nahant.  It  is  interesting,  however,  that  in  the  former  place  it  oc- 
curs contiguous  to  granite,  and  in  the  latter,  to  trap. 

It  is  not  this  slate  alone  which  in  Newport  exhibits  the  influence 
of  the  proximity  of  granite :  and  it  will  save  space  to  give  an  account 
here  of  the  whole  of  this  interesting  spot,  to  which  I  was  conducted 


(Aihracite 


*  System  of  Geology,  vol.  1.  Chapter  XL. 


Flinty  Slate.  263 

by  Col.  Joseph  Totten  of  the  U.  S.  army,  who  has  become  familiar 
with  the  geology  of  that  region,  and  to  whose  polite  attentions  I  am 
much  indebted. 

The  preceding  rough  sketch  of  the  southwest  part  of  Newport, 
will  give  a  correct  idea  of  the  relative  position  and  extent  of  the  four 
or  five  rocks  which  are  there  associated,  on  a  surface  of  four  or  five 
square  miles ;  viz.  granite,  flinty  slate,  graywacke  slate,  limestone, 
serpentine,  and  jasper.  The  flinty  slate,  it  will  be  seen,  occupies  a 
considerable  space  immediately  contiguous  to  the  granite,  and  it  is 
separated  from  the  graywacke  slate  on  that  side,  by  a  small  ravine. 
The  flinty  slate  exhibits  various  degrees  of  induration,  and  more  or 
less  of  a  mixture  of  different  minerals.  One  variety  has  a  gray 
color,  an  imperfectly  conchoidal  somewhat  splintery  fracture,  and  is 
rendered  porphyritic  by  small  grains  of  hyaline  quartz.  Another 
dark  gray  variety  exhibits  greenish  and  white  clouds.  A  third  has 
a  reddish  base  of  an  earthy  aspect  and  fracture,  less  hard  than  the 
preceding,  and  containing  numerous  light  colored,  rounded  masses, 
resembling  hornstone,  from  the  size  of  a  pin's  head  to  that  of  a  mus- 
ket bullet ;  giving  it  an  amygdaloidal  aspect.  If  hard  enough  to  re- 
ceive a  polish,  it  would  form  an  elegant  ornamental  stone.  A  third 
variety  exhibits  a  semi-crystalline  aspect,  and  contains  minute  scales 
of  mica.  This  variety  is  traversed -by  veins  of  granite,  composed  of 
quartz  and  flesh-colored  feldspar.  (Nos.  380  to  383.) 

For  the  most  part,  this  rock  exhibits  scarcely  no  marks  of  stratifi- 
cation. But  not  unfrequently,  even  in  the  most  highly  indurated 
masses,  the  traces  of  a  former  slaty  structure  are  distinctly  visible. 
In  short,  it  is  quite  obvious,  that  it  is  the  graywacke  slate,  which  has 
been  subject  to  a  heat  so  powerful  as  to  indurate,  and  for  the  most 
part,  to  melt  it.  I  think  it  would  be  easy  to  collect  specimens  exhib- 
iting almost  every  gradation  from  graywacke  slate  to  flinty  slate. 

In  the  southeastern  part  of  the  above  sketch,  the  granite  cuts  off 
the  graywacke  slate  at  right  angles  to  the  general  course  of  the  lay- 
ers :  and  the  slate  is  indurated  only  a  few  feet  from  the  junction. 
The  junction  between  the  granite  and  the  siliceous  slate  is  obvious  in 
several  places,  particularly  at  a  ledge  at  the  southwest  extremity  of 
the  granite :  and  the  two  rocks  are  so  firmly  united  as  to  separate  no 
easier  than  in  any  other  direction. 

The  graywacke  slate  of  this  spot  has  generally  the  shining  or 
glazed  appearance  of  the  oldest  varieties  of  argillaceous  slate :  but 
in  the  extensive  excavations  that  have  been  made  in  it  for  the  con- 


264  Scientific  Geology. 

struction  of  Fort  Adams,  we  see  frequent  examples  of  a  brecciated 
or  conglomerated  structure.  It  is  also  traversed  by  numerous  small 
veins  of  white  quartz,  sometimes  combined  with  flesh  colored  feldspar. 

The  serpentine  is  separated  from  the  granite  by  a  strip  of  flinty 
slate.  At  its  eastern  extremity  it  seems  to  lie  between  the  flinty  slate 
and  the  graywacke  slate,  and  to  have  a  stratified  structure.  But  it 
probably  extends  to  the  southwest,  (as  shown  on  the  sketch  by  the 
crosses,)  so  as  to  cut  across  the  northwestern  point  of  the  siliceous 
slate.  A  valley  passes  through  the  flinty  slate  in  the  direction  in 
which  the  serpentine  runs,  and  at  its  extremity,  serpentine  appears  in 
small  masses  attached  to  the  flinty  slate.  It  probably  forms  a  sort 
of  vein  in  the  slate,  though  hid  by  the  loose  soil,  and  at  its  north- 
eastern extremity  the  graywacke  slate  lies  immediately  north  of  it, 
as  shown  on  the  preceding  sketch.  I  am  inclined  to  believe,  how- 
ever, that  the  serpentine  was  originally  interstratified  with,  or  formed 
a  bed  (if  that  term  conveys  any  definite  meaning,)  in  graywacke 
slate :  though  the  extreme  degree  of  contortion  in  the  slate,  where 
the  two  rocks  join,  renders  it  not  easy  to  decide  that  point.  The 
serpentine  is  compact,  very  hard,  and  of  a  very  dark  color.  It  might 
easily  be  mistaken  for  greenstone. 

The  limestone  forms  a  small  island,  a  little  distance  north  of  the 
serpentine ;  also  a  small  point  projecting  into  the  harbor,  near  Fort 
Adams.  It  is  entirely  destitute  of  stratification,  is  perfectly  compact, 
and  nearly  as  hard  as  quartz.  Its  general  color  is  a  grayish  white ; 
but  it  abounds  in  gray  spots,  which  resemble  chert.  (No.  495.)  In- 
deed, the  whole  mass  seems  to  be  well  advanced  in  the  process  of  con- 
version into  that  substance.  This  seems  to  be  the  case  referred  to  by 
Dr.  Macculloch,  when  he  says  ;  "  an  attempt  to  the  production  of  this 
rock  (chert)  is  often  observed  where  the  process  is  still  incomplete : 
and  it  is  evinced  by  the  extreme  hardness  which  such  limestones  ex- 
hibit in  the  vicinity  of  granite."*  He  refers  here  to  the  primary 
limestones,  which  are  intermingled  with  siliceous  and  argillaceous 
matter  :  and  that  the  limestone  at  Newport  is  primary,  in  the  sense 
in  which  Dr.  Macculloch  uses  the  term,  is  evident  from  the  fact,  that 
near  the  serpentine,  a  portion  of  it  is  seen  in  the  form  of  a  bed,  be- 
tween the  layers  of  graywacke  slate :  and  the  limestone  associated 
with  this  rock,  is  precisely  the  kind  that  is  apt  to  contain  a  consider- 
able proportion  of  siliceous  and  argillaceous  matter.  In  ordinary 
cases,  limestone  is  rendered  more  crystalline  by  the  proximity  of 

*  System  of  Geology,  Vol.  2.  p.  285. 


Flinty  Slate  and  Chert.  265 

granite :  but  where  a  certain  proportion  of  argillaceous  and  siliceous 
matter  is  contained  in  it,  the  effect  of  heat  will  be  to  render  it  more 
hard  and  compact. 

A  portion  of  the  graywacke  slate  near  Fort  Adams  is  converted 
into  jasper.  But  a  more  particular  description  must  be  deferred  till 
I  have  finished  what  I  have  to  say  concerning  flinty  slate  and  chert. 
I  shall  also  have  occasion  to  speak  again  of  the  striking  evidence, 
which  the  group  of  rocks  above  described  in  Newport,  furnishes,  of 
the  igneous  origin  of  granite. 

Flinty  Slate  of  Nahant. 

The  greater  part  of  this  promontory  is  sienite.  But  enough  of 
the  argillaceous  slate  remains  at  its  southeastern  extremity,  to  show 
the  geologist  the  influence  of  trap  veins  in  passing  through  it. 
These  are  quite  numerous,  both  in  the  slate  and  in  the  sienite  ;  and 
sometimes  the  greenstone  is  intruded  laterally  between  the  strata  of 
slate,  in  the  form  of  beds.  Yet  the  general  dip  and  direction  of  the 
slate  appear  to  be  but  little  affected  by  these  veins,  although  they  fre- 
quently constitute  more  than  half  the  rock.  For  the  basset  edges  of 
the  slate  run  nearly  east  and  west,  and  dip  northerly ;  which  cor- 
responds with  the  general  direction  and  dip  of  the  argillaceous  slate 
in  that  region.  Nearly  all  the  slate,  however,  on  this  promontory  is 
much  indurated ;  and  a  considerable  proportion  of  it  converted  into 
genuine  flinty  slate.  The  slaty  structure  is  rarely  lost,  except  at  the 
junction  of  the  greenstone  and  slate,  where  the  two  rocks  are  so  in- 
timately blended,  that  it  is  not  easy  to  fix  upon  the  spot  where  either 
of  them  commences.  This  corresponds  with  the  opinion  of  Dr. 
Macculloch,  that  nothing  but  the  requisite  degree  of  heat  is  necessary 
to  convert  argillaceous  slate  into  greenstone.  (Nos.  383  to  385.) 

Chert. 

I  have  already  described  a  conatus  for  the  production  of  chert 
from  the  Newport  limestone.  But  at  Nahant  the  process  seems  in 
some  cases  to  be  nearly  or  quite  completed.  One  observes  there,  that 
a  considerable  proportion  of  the  flinty  slate  contains  layers  of  a  light 
gray  substance,  somewhat  resembling  in  aspect  and  fracture,  certain 
varieties  of  pottery.  (No.  386.)  On  examination  we  find  intermixed 
with  this  substance,  a  compact  or  even  semi-crystalline  limestone. 
In  short,  we  observe  every  degree  of  induration  and  compactness 
from  limestone  to  chert.  There  can  be  little  doubt,  it  seems  to  me, 

34 


266  Scientific  Geology. 

that  this  is  a  genuine  case  of  the  conversion  of  argillaceous  limestone 
into  chert.  For,  says  Dr.  Macculloch,  "  originating  in  limestone,  the 
transition  from  that  rock  into  the  chert,  is  often  so  gradual,  that  no 
precise  point  can  he  assigned  where  the  term  indurated  limestone  is 
no  longer  applicable."*  None  of  it,  however,  at  this  locality  has 
that  chalcedonic  aspect  which  highly  indurated  chert  often  exhibits. 

Jasper. 

The  jasper  in  Newport,  to  which  I  have  already  referred,  occurs  a 
few  rods  south  of  fort  Adams.  Two  or  three  large  blocks  of  gray- 
wacke  slate  lie  upon  the  shore,  a  considerable  part  of  which  has  been 
converted  into  red  jasper,  often  mixed  with  a  greenish,  translucent, 
siliceous  mineral,  so  as  to  form  an  imperfect  heliotrope.  Before  the 
mouth  blowpipe  the  greenish  variety  undergoes  no  change,  except  a 
loss  of  color :  but  the  red  variety  loses  its  color,  and  becomes  slightly 
glazed  at  the  surface.  (Nos.  387,  387  1-2.) 

The  manner  in  which  this  jasper  has  been  produced,  appeared  to 
me  quite  obvious  :  indeed,  if  I  mistake  not,  we  see  the  various  steps 
of  the  process.  The  rock  contains  a  considerable  quantity  of  the 
magnetic  oxide  of  iron ;  which,  according  to  the  latest  writers,!  con- 
sists of  one  atom  protoxide  and  two  atoms  of  peroxide.  Now  the 
effect  of  heat  would  be  to  convert  this  moiety  of  the  black  protoxide 
into  the  red  peroxide ;  and  the  iron  would  serve  also  as  a  flux  for  the 
fusion  of  the  slate ;  and  thus  genuine  jasper  would  be  produced :  for 
according  to  Mohs,  "  jasper,  with  its  various  kinds,  is  formed,  if  be- 
sides the  oxide  of  iron,  clay  enters  into  the  mixture,  &c."J  Those 
parts  of  the  rock  with  which  the  iron  did  not  mingle,  would  form 
hornstone  or  heliotrope  ;  the  latter  deriving  its  green  color  from  the 
slate,  which  has  a  greenish  aspect.  As  the  vicinity  of  this  locality 
exhibits  so  many  marks  of  the  former  action  of  powerful  heat,  can 
we  doubt  that  in  this  manner  the  jasper  was  produced  ?  and  can  we 
doubt  but  granite  was  the  powerful  igneous  agent  employed  ? 

Saugus  has  long  been  known  as  a  locality  of  fine  jasper.  It  ex- 
hibits a  blood  red,  and  generally  uniform  color  ;  though  sometimes 
striped  and  clouded  with  white,  so  as  to  be  very  elegant  when  pol- 
ished. (Nos.  388  to  390.)  I  have  been  surprised,  however,  to  find 

*  System  of  Geology,  Vol.  2.  p.  284. 

t  Thompson's  Chemistry  of  Inorganic  Bodies,  Vol.  1.  p.  487.     Edinburgh,  1831, 

J  Mohs'  Mineralogy,  Vol.  2.  p.  328.     Edinburgh,  1825. 


Jasper.  267 

how  easily  it  may  be  fused  by  the  common  blowpipe,  into  a  white 
semi-transparent  enamel,  containing  bubbles :  and  I  can  have  little 
doubt  but  it  ought  to  be  referred  to  compact  feldspar,  which  conducts 
precisely  in  this  manner  before  the  blowpipe.  I  am  inclined,  how- 
ever, to  believe  that  it  contains  some  argillaceous  matter  ;  and  it  must 
contain  the  red  oxide  of  iron  to  give  it  its  color.  It  occurs  a  few 
rods  east  of  the  hill  of  varioloid  wacke,  which  has  been  already  de- 
scribed, as  composed  of  wacke  and  numerous  nodules  of  compact 
feldspar  and  limestone.  Now  I  suspect  that  the  action  of  granite  on 
this  rock,  has  converted  a  part  of  it  into  this  pseudo-jasper.  For 
granite  appears  in  place  only  a  few  feet  distant  from  the  jasper ; 
though'  the  actual  junction  is  hidden.  If  this  be  the  true  theory,  then 
the  composition  of  the  varioloid  wacke  is  the  same  as  that  of  the 
jasper ;  and  since  compact  feldspar  predominates  in  the  former,  it 
probably  does  in  the  latter.  And  if  I  mistake  not,  very  much  of  the 
compact  feldspar  in  the  vicinity  of  Boston  abounds  in  argillaceous 
matter,  as  well  as  iron.  In  Hingham,  indeed,  it  greatly  resembles 
the  Saugus  jasper,  though  of  not  so  rich  a  color. 

13.  Gray  wacke  Limestone.  I  have  already  stated  the  reasons  that 
induce  me  to  believe  the  indurated  compact  limestone  of  Newport  to 
belong  to  the  graywacke  formation:  and  I  have  nothing  more  to  add 
in  this  connection. 

There  is  one  other  bed  of  limestone,  which  I  strongly  suspect 
should  be  referred  to  this  formation ;  viz.  in  the  west  part  of  Walpole. 
When  I  visited  the  spot,  I  had  no  suspicion  that  this  rock  had  any 
connection  with  the  graywacke ;  especially  «as  I  observed  sienite 
within  a  few  rods  of  it.  Nor  do  my  notes  furnish  any  very  decisive 
evidence  either  way  as  to  this  question.  The  dip  of  its  strata,  which 
is  about  45°  N.  W.  is  the  most  important  circumstance.  For  I  find 
that  the  red  quartz  rock  and  talcose  aggregate,  which  have  been  de- 
scribed as  occurring  to  the  west  of  Walpole  meeting  house,  have 
nearly  the  same  dip  and  direction,  and  are  succeeded  on  the  west  by 
sienite.  Hence  I  suspect  that  the  limestone,  which  lies  two  or  thrde 
miles  southwest  from  those  rocks,  may  be  connected  with  them : 
and  especially  when  I  recollect,  that  in  all  other  cases  where  I  have 
found  limestone  connected  with  sienite,  it  is  very  white  and  destitute 
of  stratification  :  whereas  that  at  Walpole,  as  already  remarked,  is 
stratified  and  is  of  a  gray  color.  Perhaps  closer  examination  would 
discover  organic  remains.  (No.  494.) 

The  bed  of  limestone  in  Bernardston  is  associated  with  argilla- 


268  Scientific  Geology. 

ceous  slate,  or  quartz  rock,  and  contains  encrinites ;  so  that  probably 
its  age  corresponds  with  that  of  graywacke.  But  as  it  is  entirely 
disconnected  with  the  graywacke,  I  shall  defer  a  description  of  it  till 
I  speak  of  the  limestones. 

Topography  of  the  Graywacke. 

I  have  anticipated  so  much  of  this  head,  that  brevity  may  now  be 
consulted.  It  will  be  seen  by  the  map  that  this  formation  is  confined 
exclusively  to  the  eastern  part  of  Massachusetts  and  Rhode  Island  ; 
and  that  it  exists  in  several  detached  patches.  On  the  second,  or  the 
present  edition  of  the  geological  map,  I  have  connected  the  strip  of  gray- 
wacke passing  through  Dedham,  Walpole  and  Wrentham,  with  the 
broad  deposite  south  of  the  last  named  place.  Nor  should  I  be  sur- 
prised, if  future  observers  should  discover  a  connection  between  the 
graywacke  range  in  Dedham,  Canton,  and  Randolph,  and  that  in 
Quincy,  Dorchester,  &c. ;  although  I  failed  in  finding  it.  The  fact 
is,  this  rock  in  no  place  rises  into  any  thing  like  mountain  ridges ;  and 
for  the  most  part,  it  occupies  extensive  plains,  or  gently  undulating 
ground.  Diluvium,  also,  is  extremely  abundant  over  almost  every  part 
of  it;  so  that  it  is  only  occasionally,  and  often  at  distant  intervals,  that 
graywacke  is  seen  in  place.  This  is  particularly  the  case  in  the  most 
extensive  tract  of  the  graywacke,  which  embraces  the  greater  part  of 
Rhode  Island,  with  nearly  every  other  island  in  Narraganset  Bay, 
and  a  strip  of  uncertain  width  on  the  west  shore  of  that  bay,  as  well 
as  a  narrow  tract  on  the  east  shore  in  Little  Compton  ;  and  as  it  ex- 
tends northerly  into  Massachusetts,  occupies  the  surface  of  nearly 
twenty  towns  in  Bristol  and  Plymouth  counties.  In  Swansey  and 
Somerset,  the  most  abundant  conglomerate  of  this  formation,  (which 
for  the  sake  of  distinction  I  shall  call  the  Roxbury  conglomerate,  be- 
cause in  that  place  its  characters  are  strongly  developed,)  forms 
several  hills  of  one  or  two  hundred  feet  in  height,  producing  striking 
outliers  in  the  landscape.  In  Dorchester,  Roxbury,  Newton,  Brook- 
line,  and  Brighton,  the  hills  of  the  same  rock  are  of  moderate  eleva- 
tion ;  rarely  exceeding  200  feet :  yet  this  is  the  most  hilly  part  of  the 
graywacke  formation  in  Massachusetts.  Now  its  low  level  and  the 
abundance  of  transported  fragments  that  overspread  it,  render  it  ex- 
tremely difficult  to  ascertain  its  limits. 

On  the  first  edition  of  the  map,  I  put  down  a  patch  of  graywacke 
in  Duxbury.  But  on  more  mature  reflection,  I  feel  satisfied  that  I 
have  not  evidence  enough,  that  the  slaty  epidotic  rock  which  occurs 


Topography  of  the  Graywacke.  269 

in  that  place,  belongs  to  this  formation.  That  it  is  not  the  classical 
gray wacke,  I  am  certain :  nor  do  I  feel  satisfied  what  are  the  ingre- 
dients that  compose  it ;  though  I  suspect  the  presence  of  compact 
feldspar  in  considerable  quantity.  Its  dip  and  direction  coinciding 
with  those  of  the  graywacke,  I  was  led  to  suspect  that  it  might  be 
one  of  the  anomalous  varieties  of  that  rock.  But  I  shall  place  the 
specimens  in  the  collection  among  those  from  the  gneiss  formation  ; 
hoping  that  some  geologist  will  be  able  to  examine  this  rock  care- 
fully in  its  native  situation.  This  I  had  not  time  to  do  when  I  passed 
through  the  place.  And  I  think  it  better  that  it  should  not  be  no- 
ticed on  the  map,  than  be  referred  to  any  formation  with  no  more  evi- 
dence of  its  true  nature  than  I  at  present  possess. 

It  appears  then,  that  all  of  the  graywacke  formation  lying  south  of 
the  Blue  Hills,  in  Massachusetts  and  Rhode  Island,  forms  but  a  sin- 
gle tract.  The  slaty  varieties  predominate  on  the  west  side  of  this 
tract ;  and  on  some  of  the  islands  in  Narraganset  Bay,  this  slate  ap- 
pears to  be  passing  into  the  primary  schists,  particularly  into  mica  slate. 
The  red  quartz  rock  is  most  abundant  in  the  south  part  of  Wren- 
tham  near  the  coal  mine,  and  in  that  branch  of  the  deposite,  which 
occupies  the  north  part  of  Randolph.  It  occurs,  also,  in  the  west 
part  of  Walpole,  as  already  noticed,  and  likewise  in  Abington.  And 
from  the  bowlders  of  this  rock  which  I  noticed  in  Scituate,  mixed 
with  the  granite,  I  am  suspicious  that  it  may  be  found  in  place  from 
Abington  to  the  coast,  in  a  northeast  direction  ;  though  I  searched 
for  it  in  vain. 

Around  Boston  we  find  another  tract  of  the  graywacke,  occupying 
a  basin,  of  which  the  Blue  Hills  form  a  southern  boundary ;  the 
porphyry  hills  of  Lynn  and  Maiden  a  northern,  and  the  greenstone 
ranges  of  Weston  and  Waltham,  a  western  boundary.  The  argil- 
laceous slate  connected  with  the  graywacke,  is  all  found  along  the 
northern  and  southern  sides  of  this  basin,  as  may  be  seen  by  the 
map.  The  central  parts  are  occupied  by  conglomerates  and  gray- 
wacke slate. 

I  have  already  suggested  the  probability  that  Boston  Harbor  was 
produced  by  the  wearing  away  of  the  graywacke  formation.  That 
this  series  of  rock  once  occupied  the  harbor,  is  obvious  from  the 
character  of  the  islands,  which  are  evidently  the  remnants  of  a  once 
continuous  formation.  It  is  true  that  these  islands  are  for  the  most 
part  covered  with  diluvium  :  but  sometimes  on  their  shores,  we  find 
rocks  in  situ  ;  and  in  such  case  I  have  regarded  the  whole  island  as 


270  Scientific  Geology. 

composed  of  the  rock  which  is  thus  developed.  On  this  principle, 
the  geological  character  of  the  principal  islands  in  this  harbor  may 
be  set  down  as  follows : — 


Noddle's 

Castle 

Thompson's 

Spectacle  Islands 

Long  Island 

Pedock's 

Gallop's 

George's 

Level's 

Deer  Island 

Apple 

Great  Brewster 


Moon  Island  —  Conglomerate 
Hangman's  Island  —  Sienite 

Rainsford  Islands 

Middle  &  Outward  Brewster 

Boston  Light 

Egg  Rocks 

Calf  Island 

Green's  Island 

Governor's  Island 


°3 

I 

CD 
O 
£ 
t» 

GO 


It  will  be  seen  that  argillaceous  slate  is  the  predominating  rock  on 
the  outermost  of  these  islands.  In  general  it  is  quite  hard,  and  has 
so  little  of  a  slaty  structure,  that  one  might  well  hesitate  to  call  it  ar- 
gillaceous slate.  Frequently  it  appears  to  be  a  coarse  variety  of  no- 
vaculite.  Argillaceous  slate  likewise  appears  on  the  southern  side 
of  the  promontory  of  Hull ;  although  the  surface  is  for  the  most  part 
diluvial. 

There  can  be  little  doubt  that  the  peninsula  of  Boston  has  a  foun- 
dation of  argillaceous  slate.  This  is,  indeed,  the  only  rock  that  has 
ever  been  found  there  in  place.  And  from  the  occurrence  of  argil- 
laceous slate  in  South  Boston,  and  in  Charlestown,  with  a  northerly 
dip  in  both  places,  it  would  be  very  surprising  if  any  other  rock 
should  be  found  in  Boston  ;  unless  it  were  an  intruding  mass  of  trap 
rock.  But  the  slate  on  the  peninsula  is  buried  deep  by  clay,  gravel, 
and  sand  ;  although,  from  the  quantity  of  diluvium  found  there  above 
the  tertiary  beds,  I  have  been  led  to  color  the  peninsula  as  a  diluvial 
deposite. 

The  only  remaining  tract  of  graywacke  to  be  noticed,  is  one  of 
limited  extent,  along  Parker  River  in  the  south  part  of  Newbury,  and 
extending  I  believe  into  Rowley.  It  consists  of  gray  red  and  varie- 
gated slates,  slaty  compact  feldspar,  with  talc,  and  a  conglomerate 
resembling  that  in  Roxbury.  Red  compact  feldspar  lies  between 
this  rock  and  the  sienite  ;  and  some  of  the  nodules  of  the  conglom- 
erate consist  of  the  red  compact  feldspar.  This  tract  of  the  gray- 
wacke appears  to  be  very  interesting,  and  deserves  a  more  thorough 
examination. 


Direction  and  Dip  of  the  Strata. 


271 


Direction,  Dip,  and  Thickness  of  the  Strata. 

Graywacke  is  celebrated  in  other  countries  for  the  irregularities  of 
its  stratification,  and  the  tortuosities  of  jts  slaty  varieties.  Nor  is 
this  rock  in  New  England  lacking  in  these  characteristics.  The  oh- 
server  will  he  satisfied,  after  an  extensive  examination,  that  the  pre- 
dominant direction  of  the  strata  of  this  rock  is  not  far  from  east  and 
west,  and  the  dip  northerly,  generally  approaching  to  45  degrees. 
But  he  will  he  surprised  to  find  in  the  western  part  of  the  principal 
deposit,  viz.  from  Randolph  to  Providence,  and  so  on  to  the  southern 
extremity  of  Rhode  Island,  that  the  direction  of  the  strata  is  nearly 
north  and  south,  and  the  dip  east.  The  following  table  exhibits  the 
dip  and  direction  of  this  formation  in  various  places,  as  I  find  them 
in  my  notes. 


Mansfield,  '•  .'•''•  .  ; 
Berkley,  >.  .  . -;.  •;*•  ;  ;r;] 
Attleborough,  (west  part,)  . 

do.  (center,)    . 

Walpole,      .... 
Pawtucket,  (Graywacke  Slate,) 
From  Providence  to  Warren, 
Rhode  Island. 
Seekonk,      .     •    . 
Portsmouth,  R.  I.  (Slate,) 
Newport,  R.  I.  near  Fort  Ad- 
ams, (Slate,) 

do.         South  part,     (do.) 

do.       Southeast  part  (do.) 

do.          do.  Purple  Quartz 

Rock, 

West  side  of  Narraganset  Bay 
(Slate,) 

Middletown,  R.  I.  Blue  Quartz 
Rock, 

do.  do.     Amphibolic 

Aggregate, 

Between  Warren  and  Bristol, 
Rhode  Island, 


Direction. 
N.W.  and  S.E. 
N.E.  and  S.W. 
North  and  South. 

do. 

N.E.  and  S.W. 
S.  20°  West. 

N.  and  South, 
do. 

N.E.  and  S.W. 

N.  and  South. 
E.  and  West. 
N.  and  South. 

N.  and  South. 
N.  and  South. 
N.  and  South. 
N.  and  South. 
E.  and  West, 


Dip. 

45°  N.E. 
N.W.  small. 
East,  small. 
50°  West. 
50°to60°N.W. 
70°  easterly. 

45°  East. 
10°  East. 
S.E.  40° to  90°. 

5°tolO°easterly. 

Various. 

60°to70°West. 

80°  East. 
10°  to  15°  East 
E.  80°  East. 
60  to  70°  West 
10to20°North, 


272 


Scientific  Geology. 


Tiverton  Bridge,  R.  I.  (Slate,) 

Little  Compton,  (Slate,) 

Fall  River,  (Troy,)  Slate  and 
Quartz  Rock, 

Swansey,  (Conglomerate,) 

West  Bridgwater,  (Slate,) 

North  Bridgwater, 

Canton 

Milton,    ....      ^r 

Newton  —  north  part, 

Cambridge,     .     .   .      ?.        ,. 

Watertown,          .         .    ;   ... .', 

Dorchester,  (Conglomerate,)    . 

Roxbury,  (do.)  . 

Natick,  (Slate,) 

Newbury,  (Slate  and  Conglom- 
erate,) 

Milton,  (Argillaceous  Slate,) 

South  Boston,     do. 

Nahant,  do. 

Hull,  do. 

Rainsford  Islands,  do. 

Charlestown,  do.  (near  the  In- 
sane Hospital,) 
do.  (in  a  quarry,) 
do.  (Winter  Hill,) 
do.  (Near  the 
Powder  House,) 


do. 

do.* 

do.* 


Direction. 
N.  and  South. 
N.E.  and  S.W. 


Dip. 

45°  West. 


E.  and  West. 

45°  North. 

East  and  West. 

35  to  40°  N. 

do. 

30°  North. 

do. 
do. 

Northerly. 
25  to  50°  N. 

do.  (nearly,) 
do. 

60  to  70°  N. 
30°  North. 

do. 

60  to  70°  N. 

N.E.  and  S.W. 

90°. 

S.E.  and  N.W. 

15  to  30°  N.E. 

do. 

do. 

N.E.  and  S.W. 

45°  N.W. 

East  and  West. 

do. 

do. 

do. 

do. 
N.E.  and  S.W. 

W.  a  little  N. 
North  and  South. 
East  and  West. 


45°  N. 
North,  large. 
50  to  60°  N. 
30  to  40°  N. 
60  to  70°  N. 
Nearly  90°  S.E. 

50°  S.  E. 

10°  W. 

15  to  20°  N. 


E.  and  W.  nearly.       15°  N.N.E. 


The  predominant  direction  of  the  strata  in  this  formation  may  be 
seen  on  the  annexed  map,  (Plate  XVI.)  which  shows  the  general 
direction  of  all  the  strata  in  the  State.  Local  exceptions,  unless  of 
great  extent,  cannot  of  course  be  shown  on  a  map  of  such  limited 
size.  These  exceptions  are  so  numerous  in  the  preceding  table, 
that  one  might  be  disposed  to  question  whether  any  parallelism  in 
the  direction,  or  uniformity  of  dip,  can  be  made  out.  But  extensive 
examination  will  satisfy  any  one  of  the  truth  of  the  general  state- 

*  Professor  Webster :  see  Boston  Journal  of  Philosophy,  &c.  Vol.  1.  p.  280,  et 
seq. 


Curvatures  in  Graywacke  Slate.  273 

merit  made  above,  that  the  prevailing  direction  is  easterly  and  wester- 
ly, and  the  dip  northerly,  with  the  exception  there  named  in  Rhode 
Island,  and  of  a  tract  from  Rhode  Island  to  Randolph.  Wheth- 
er there  is  a  particular  line  along  which  the  strata  change  sud- 
denly in  their  direction  from  north  and  south  to  east  and  west,  or 
whether  the  change  is  gradual,  I  have  not  been  able  to  determine ; 
though  inclined  to  believe  it  sudden.  The  central  parts  of  the  tract, 
near  where  the  change  must  take  place,  is  so  covered  with  diluvium 
as  rarely  to  exhibit  rocks  in  place.  As  to  the  cause  of  this  anomaly, 
I  am  disposed  to  believe  that  this  graywacke  belongs  to  two  sys- 
tems of  elevation  ;  the  one  running  nearly  east  and  west,  and  the  other 
nearly  northeast  and  southwest.  In  the  conclusion  of  my  Report  I 
shall  examine  this  subject  more  particularly. 

It  will  be  seen  from  the  preceding  statement  of  the  direction  and 
dip  of  the  strata,  that  there  is  much  irregularity  in  the  position  of  the 
argillaceous  slate  connected  with  the  graywacke;  particularly  in 
Charlestown.  But  this  in  general  is  easy  to  be  explained,  by  the  in- 
trusion of  masses  of  greenstone,  or  the  proximity  of  sienite. 

The  slaty  structure  of  the  slates  included  under  graywacke,  does 
not  always  coincide  with  the  stratified  structure.  I  have  observed 
this  to  be  the  fact,  particularly  with  a  variety  of  the  red  quartz  rock, 
which  in  Randolph,  Walpole,  Wrentham,  &c.  become  slaty,  by  tak- 
ing into  its  composition  a  larger  proportion  of  talc. 

In  South  Boston,  and  on  Rainsford  Islands,  the  argillaceous  slate 
contains  a  double  set  of  seams,  oblique  to  the  strata  seams ;  and 
thereby  the  rock  is  divided,  often  with  great  regularity,  into  tables 
with  rhombic  or  trapezoidal  faces.  (Nos.  360,  361.) 

In  general,  I  doubt  whether  the  argillaceous  slate  and  the  gray- 
wacke slate  of  this  formation,  exhibit  such  striking  tortuosities  in 
their  layers,  as  European  geologists  describe  in  the  corresponding 
rocks  in  the  eastern  world.  In  some  places,  however,  these  curva- 
tures are  remarkable  enough  in  New  England.  On  Rainsford  Is- 
lands the  argillaceous  slate,  although  unusually  fissile,  is  bent  so  as 
to  form  a  semicircle  within  the  space  of  a  very  few  inches.  (No.  362.) 
But  in  the  southern  part  of  Newport,  Rhode  Island,  in  the  vicinity 
of  granite,  we  find  the  most  remarkable  curvatures  in  the  graywacke 
slate. 

The  following  sketch  was  taken  from  a  cliff  on  the  south  east 
shore  of  that  town.  It  is  from  15  to  20  feet  high,  and  30  or  40  long, 
and  the  drawing  does  not  at  all  exaggerate  the  tortuosities  and  irreg* 
35 


274 


Scientific  Geology. 


ularities  of  the  slate.  The  dark  strip  is  a  bed  of  anthracite  a  few 
inches  thick  ;  and  the  dotted  part  shows  where  the  diluvium  has  slid- 
den  down  upon  the  rock.  The  slate  is  so  highly  impregnated  with 
carbon  as  to  be  quite  dark  colored,  and  might  perhaps  be  denomin- 
ated shale.  Near  the  anthracite  bed  it  abounds  in  vegetable  remains. 
I  could  discover  no  strata  seams  distinct  from  those  that  separate  the 
layers  of  slate ;  and  it  is  very  doubtful  whether  this  rock  ought  to  be 
regarded  as  stratified  at  that  place. 


Coast  Section  in  Graywacke  Slate  :  Newport  R.  I. 

It  is  obvious  that  this  slate  must  have  been  bent  into  its  present 
form  while  yet  in  a  plastic  state ;  although  its  elevation  to  a  nearly 
perpendicular  position,  might  have  been  'the  result  of  a  subsequent 
convulsion.  It  will  be  recollected,  that  in  giving  a  history  of  our 
tertiary  strata,  I  have  exhibited  some  remarkable  examples  of  tortu- 
osity in  the  clay  beds,  which  bear  a  strong  resemblance  to  the  one 
figured  above ;  and  perhaps  both  were  produced  in  a  similar  manner, 
however  difficult  it  may  be  to  assign  any  adequate  cause.  Other  sim- 
ilar cases  I  shall  describe  when  I  come  to  speak  of  mica  slate  and 
gneiss. 

In  another  place  on  the  same  coast,  near  where  the  preceding 
sketch  was  taken,  the  graywacke  slate  seems  to  have  assumed  the 
form  of  a  paraboloid,  or  an  ellipsoid,  whose  longer  axis  coincides 
nearly  with  the  meridian.  The  upper  part  of  this  paraboloid  having 
been  worn  away,  leaves  the  basset  edges  of  the  slate  as  exhibited 
below. 

The  dotted  portion  in  the  following  sketch,  is  covered  by  debris  and 
sand  ;  but  very  probably  the  position  of  the  laminae  is  as  represented. 
The  dip  of  the  slate  is  outward  on  every  side ;  or  in  such  a  direction 
as  it  would  be,  if  the  layers  curved  around  a  paraboloid,  or  ellipsoid, 
from  which  a  segment  had  been  cut  off 


Mineral  Contents.  275 

p 

The  proximity  of  granite  explains  satisfactorily  the  very  great 
irregularity  in  the  position  of  the  graywacke  slate  in  Newport. 


From  the  various  statements  which  I  have  made  in  relation  to  the 
geology  of  Newport  and  its  vicinity,  it  will  be  obvious  that  it  is  very 
rare  to  find  so  many  objects  interesting  to  geological  curiosity  brought 
within  so  narrow  a  compass. 

As  to  the  thickness  of  the  graywacke  formation,  I  am  very  much 
in  the  dark.  I  am  inclined,  however,  to  believe  that  its  perpendicu- 
lar thickness  must  be  rather  small.  The  want  of  lofty  hills  in  this 
formation,  and  the  marks  of  powerful  abrasion  every  where  exhib- 
ited, both  in  the  loose  fragments  and  in  occasional  outliers,  have  im- 
pressed me  with  the  idea  that  it  was  once  far  more  extensive  than  at 
present.  It  might  not,  indeed,  have  covered  all  the  space  that  now 
intervenes  between  its  several  tracts:  but  I  see  no  reason  why 
much  of  that  space  might  not  have  been  occupied  by  it :  although  I 
confess  that  this  opinion  is  little  more  than  hypothesis. 

Mineral  Contents. 

By  far  the  most  interesting  and  important  mineral  in  the  gray- 
wacke formation  is  anthracite.  Its  most  abundant  and  best  known 
locality  is  in  Portsmouth,  near  the  northern  extremity  of  Rhode 
Island.  It  was  explored  there  somewhat  extensively  near  the  begin- 
ning of  the  present  century  ;  and  Dr.  Meade  says,  that  the  vein  then 
wrought,  was  1 4  feet  wide;  and  "  with  only  fifteen  workmen,  they' 
can  raise  at  present  from  10  to  20  chaldrons  of  coal  per  day,  besides 
keeping  the  mine  free  from  water  ;  from  which  they  suffer  little  in- 
convenience."* He  speaks  of  the  bed  of  coal  as  "  not  horizontal  or 
vertical,  but  forming  an  angle  of  about  75°." 

*  Bruce's  Mineralog-ical  Journal,  January,  1820,  p.  84. 


276  Scientific  Geology. 

A  variety  of  causes  led  to  the  abandonment  of  these  explorations  : 
but  a  few  years  since  they  were  again  resumed ;  and  through  the 
kindness  of  Dr.  Thomas  H.  Webb,  of  Providence,  I  have  before  me 
a  letter  addressed  to  that  gentleman,  from  J.  Clowes,  the  intelligent 
agent  employed  to  superintend  this  second  exploration  ;  from  which 
I  derive  the  following  facts  respecting  the  anthracite  of  Portsmouth. 
The  letter  is  dated  February  18th,  1828  ;  which  appears  to  have  been 
about  the  time  when  the  work  was  the  second  time  abandoned. 

The  quantity  of  anthracite  raised  at  these  mines  in  1827,  by  20 
men  and  five  boys,  was  2200  tons,  and  an  equal  quantity  of  slack  : 
that  is,  very  small  coal  and  dust.  The  former  sold  at  the  mine  for 
$4  1-2  per  ton,  of  2240  pounds ;  and  the  slack  for  one  dollar  per  ton. 
The  slack  was  used  for  burning  lime  and  bricks.  The  best  coal 
was  mostly  employed  for  fires  in  families,  except  in  New  York, 
where  it  was  used  for  making  glass ;  for  generating  steam  under  the 
common  circular  or  round  boiler  ;  for  blacksmiths,  and  in  general  for 
any  purpose  where  anthracites  are  employed. 

The  agent  regards  these  mines  as  capable  of  furnishing  an  inex- 
haustible supply.  He  represents  the  coal  as  occurring  in  veins  ;  but 
his  descriptions  apply  rather  to  beds  ;  and  I  am  almost  certain  that 
it  occurs  in  beds.  Six  of  these  have  been  exposed  ;  and  more  than 
30  are  said  to  exist  in  that  part  of  Rhode  Island.  Their  direction  is 
south  west  and  northeast,  and  they  dip  southeast  from  40°  to  90°. 

The  following  are  the  strata  that  were  penetrated  in  sinking  a  wa- 
ter shaft,  or  engine  pit,  87  feet ;  and  in  fifteen  other  places  they  were 
found  to  be  very  similar. 

Sand  and  gravel,      .         .         .         .         9  feet. 
Dark  colored  slate,      .     :   >  *.     .         .12 
Hard  compact  graywacke,        .         .       23 
Soft  black  slate,  ....     4 

Hard  brown  slate,  .  .  V;  •'?'  5 
Soft  fine  gray  slate,  ....  I 
Very  hard  brown  slate,  .  .  .17 
Gray  freestone,  .  "'./'  .  .  .12 
Coal,  .  4 

Vegetable  remains  were  found  only  in  one  of  these  excavations, 
about  nineteen  feet  below  the  surface. 

The  failure  of  the  mining  operations  in  Portsmouth,  between  the 

years  1809  and  1816,  resulted,  according  to  Mr.  Clowes,  from  two 

,  general  causes  :     1 .  A  want  of  practical  skill  in  those  who  conducted 


Anthracite.  277 

the  operations.  This  prevented  as  much  system  in  the  works  as 
was  necessary,  and  also  the  introduction  of  proper  and  economical 
machinery.  And  he  says,  that  "  amongst  the  many  losses,  which 
contributed  to  work  their  ruin,  that  was  not  the  least,  of  allowing,  or 
permitting  the  workman  to  have  from  half  a  pint  to  a  pint  of  spiritu- 
ous liquors  during  the  working  hours.  We  neither  allow  nor  per- 
mit any  thing  of  the  sort,  nor  is  it  allowed  or  permitted  in  any  min- 
ing establishment  in  Europe.  Instead  of  benefiting  a  man,  it  actu- 
ally incapacitates  him :  and  exclusive  of  the  immoral  effects  on  the 
passions  of  the  workmen,  I  consider  it  a  loss  to  the  owners  of  at 
least  one  sixth  the  whole  manual  labor." 

The  second  cause  of  failure,  he  says,  lay  in  sending  the  coal  from  the 
mines  in  an  improper  state ;  that  is,  unsorted,  and  in  too  large  lumps. 
He  says  that  the  R.  Island  coal  does  not  break  easily  when  ignited, 
like  the  Lehigh  coal,  and  that  this  fact  and  the  amount  of  impurities 
which  it  contained,  injured  its  reputation  in  the  market.  He  thinks 
that  if  mixed  in  equal  quantity  with  the  Pennsylvania  or  bituminous 
coal,  it  answers  best  for  fuel :  and  he  says  he  has  abundant  evidence, 
that  one  ton  of  the  R.  Island  coal,  mixed  with  a  ton  of  that  from 
Pennsylvania,  are  equal  to  two  tons  of  the  anthracite  from  the  latter 
state. 

These  facts,  coming  as  they  do  from  a  practical  and  intelligent  man, 
I  thought  deserving  of  a  place  in  this  Report :  for  they  render  it  prob- 
able to  my  mind,  that  the  Rhode  Island  coal  may  be  again  wrought 
ere  many  years.  At  present  the  prejudice  against  it  in  market  is  so 
strong,  that  the  owners  have  been  obliged  to  abandon  its  exploration. 

I  have  already  mentioned  that  beds  of  anthracite,  a  few  inches 
thick,  occur  in  the  south  part  of  Newport  in  graywacke  slate.  In 
the  war  of  the  Revolution,  the  British  troops,  after  consuming  nearly 
all  the  wood  upon  the  island,  endeavored  to  find  coal  at  this  place ; 
and  the  marks  of  their  exploration  still  remain. 

On  the  map  I  have  represented  a  bed  of  coal  as  existing  near  the 
east  line  of  Cumberland,  another  in  the  north  part  of  Middleborough, 
a  third  in  West  Bridgwater,  and  a  fourth  in  Wrentham.  I  could  not 
learn  that  much  of  this  mineral  had  been  obtained  at  these  places. 
The  search  for  coal  in  Weymouth,  mentioned  in  a  note  to  the  first 
part  of  my  Report,  first  edition,  has  not  I  believe  been  successful. 

An  exploration  is  now  going  on  in  the  south  part  of  Wrentham, 
principally  by  boring.  In  one  place  they  have  penetrated  180  feet 


278  Scientific  Geology. 

into  a  dark  colored  or  anthracitous  slate,  which  runs  nearly' east  and 
west,  and  dips  north  about  45°.  But  in  no  place  have  they  found 
pure  coal :  nor  has  any  bed,  even  of  that  which  is  impure,  been  dis- 
covered more  than  eighteen  inches  thick.  The  specimens  hitherto 
obtained,  (No.  401,)  are  much  mixed  with  pyrites  and  slate. 

It  struck  me  that  boring  perpendicularly  is  not  the  most  judi- 
cious method  of  searching  for  coal  at  this  place.  I  take  it  to  be  quite 
certain,  that  the  coal  always  occurs  in  layers  between  the  laminae  of 
slate,  and  never  in  veins ;  such  a  thing  as  a  genuine  vein  of  coal 
being,  as  I  suppose,  inconsistent  with  the  known  laws  of  chemistry. 
Hence  then,  as  the  strata  dip  45°  at  this  place,  if  a  trench  be  dug  deep 
enough  to  lay»bare  the  basset  edges,  crossing  them  at  right  angles, 
it  must  certainly  reveal  all  the  beds  of  coal  which  the  rock  contains. 
And  since  the  loose  soil  is  not  more  than  ten  feet  deep,  this  must 
be  certainly  the  most  economical  course.  The  discovery  of  beds  of 
coal  in  other  places  by  boring,  leads  often,  I  believe,  into  error  :  for 
generally  the  strata  containing  coal  are  horizontal ;  and  then  boring 
alone  will  bring  the  beds  to  light :  but  where  they  are  highly  in- 
clined, it  is  working  to  great'  disadvantage  to  bore  into  them  perpen- 
dicularly. I  have  found  several  times  that  foreign  miners,  who  are 
ignorant  of  the  principles  of  geology,  have  led  our  citizens  astray 
by  assuring  them  that  the  coal  or  the  ore  they  are  in  pursuit  of,  lies 
deep ;  merely  because  such  was  the  case  in  the  particular  mine  in 
Europe  with  which  they  were  acquainted. 

In  all  the  cases  mentioned  above,  the  anthracite  occurs  in  a  slaty 
rock,  either  gray  or  nearly  black,  which  is  associated  with  coarser 
aggregates.  Many  geologists  would  denominate  this  slate  shale : 
but  I  should  rather  term  it  argillaceous  slate,  or  graywacke  slate ; 
because  I  prefer  the  system  of  Macculloch,  which  regards  no  rocks 
as  shale,  which  lie  as  low  in  the  series  as  graywacke.*  (Nos.  358 
and  395  to  399.) 

In  no  case  have  I  found  anthracite  in  any  of  those  anomalous  va- 
rieties of  the  graywacke  group,  which  I  have  described ;  such  as  the 
breccias,  amphibolic,  quartose,  and  talcose  rocks.  These  I  regard  as 
the  oldest  varieties  of  this  formation ;  and  the  anthracite  I  suspect 
occurs  among  the  higher  members  of  the  series.  I  know  of  no  rea- 
son, however,  why  this  mineral  should  not  be  found  in  the  oldest 
varieties.  That  the  slate  in  which  it  is  found  in  Rhode  Island,  is 

*  Classification  of  Rocks,  p.  455.     Also  System  Geology.  Vol.  2.  p.  248. 


Anthracite.  279 

closely  allied  to  primary  rocks,«is  obvious  from  the  fact  it  abounds  in 
veins  of  asbestus  —  and  the  same  mineral  penetrates  the  anthracite. 

So  full  a  description  of  the  external  characters  of  the  Rhode  Is- 
land anthracite  has  been  given  by  Prof.  Silliman,  in  his  Journal  of 
Science,*  that  it  seems  unnecessary  to  repeat  it  in  this  place.  I  shall 
merely  notice  some  peculiar  characters,  which,  if  I  mistake  not,  have 
an  important  bearing  upon  the  theory  of  the  origin  of  this  mineral 
and  its  connection  with  plumbago.  In  comparing  this  coal  with  the 
anthracite  from  Pennsylvania,  one  is  struck  with  the  superior  semi- 
metallic  or  plumbaginous  aspect  of  the  former ;  as  I  have  already 
remarked.  But  mere  resemblance  to  •  plumbago  is  not  all :  for,  says 
Professor  Silliman,  "  many  of  its  surfaces  are  covered  with  a  thin 
film  of  a  substance  not  to  be  distinguished  from  plumbago,  as  it  has 
the  same  lustre  and  softness,  and  stains  the  fingers  and  marks  paper 
in  the  same  manner.  A  true  plumbago  is  found  occasionally  among 
the  slates  which  accompany  this  anthracite."  But  in  respect  to  the 
Pennsylvania  anthracites  he  says,  "there  is  rarely  on  these  surfaces 
a  plumbaginous  aspect ;  and  when  it  exists,  it  is  less  remarkable  than 
in  the  Rhode  Island  coal."  In  the  Worcester  coal,  I  would  also  state, 
that  the  metallic  aspect  is  much  more  distinct,  and  the  quantity  of  the 
substance  "  not  to  be  distinguished  from  plumbago,"  much  greater.  In- 
deed, several  tons  of  it  have  been  ground  and  sold  for  plumbago. t 
The  anthracite  found  at  Cumberland,  Rhode  Island,  also,  "  is  more 
slaty  than  that  of  Portsmouth,  it  soils  the  fingers  more,  and  approach- 
es graphite."  J  The  specimens  from  the  recent  exploration  in  Wren- 
tham,  bear  a  resemblance  in  appearance  to  the  anthracite  from  Rhode 
Island. 

Now  do  we  not  ascertain  from  the  preceding  facts,  a  gradual  pas- 
sage from  anthracite  to  plumbago  ?  And  if  my  view  of  the  relative 
age  of  the  Pennsylvania,  Rhode  Island  and  Worcester  anthracites,  as 
they  have  been  expressed  in  the  first  part  of  my  report,  are  correct ; 
we  see  that  this  gradation  corresponds  to  the  relative  antiquity  of  the 
rock  containing  the  mineral :  that  is,  the  older  the  rock,  the  nearer 
does  the  mineral  approach  to  plumbago.  I  may  not  indeed,  have 
shown  very  conclusively  that  the  graywacke  formation  of  Massachu- 
setts and  Rhode  Island  is  older  than  the  anthracite  formation  of  Penn- 

*  Vol.  11.  p.  87. 

f  Robinson's  Catalogue  of  Minerals,  p.  78 

t  Cleavland's  Mineralogy,  vol.  I.  p.  501. 


280  Scientific  Geology. 

sylvania ;  though  the  greater  dip  of  the  slate,  as  a  general  fact,  in  the 
former,  its  more  crystalline  aspect,  and  the  occurrence  in  it  of  crystal- 
lized veins  of  asbestus  and  quartz,  render  this  opinion  probable.  But 
as  to  the  anthracite  formation  in  Worcester,  it  will  be  easy  to  prove, 
in  the  proper  place,  that  it  is  older  than  either  of  the  others  above 
mentioned :  and  here  it  should  be  recollected  we  find  the  nearest  ap- 
proach to  plumbago. 

The  anthracite  from  these  different  localities  exhibits,  in  its  specific 
gravity,  a  correspondent  approach  to  plumbago.  According  to  Dr. 
Thomson,*  the  specific  gravity  of  plumbago  varies  from  1.9  to  2.32: 
but  according  to  Beudant,f  from  2.08  to  2.45.  The  first  named  au- 
thor says,  that  he  has  never  met  with  any  anthracite  whose  specific 
gravity  was  as  great  as  1.5  :  Beudant,  however,  says  it  varies  from 
1.5  to  1.8.  Now  according  to  Mr.  Bull,  the  mean  specific  gravity 
of  the  Pennsylvania  anthracite,  from  five  localities;  is  1.4364  He 
states  also  the  specific  gravity  of  the  Rhode  Island  coal  to  be,  1.438  : 
But  Prof.  Silliman,  who  appears  to  have  conducted  the  process  with 
great  care,  states  the  Pennsylvania  anthracite  to  have  the  mean  spe- 
cific gravity  1.55,  and  that  from  the  Rhode  Island,  1.75.||  Mr.  Bull 
places  the  Worcester  coal  at  2.104.  Upon  the  whole,  though  there 
is  not  a  little  discrepancy  in  the  above  statements,  we  may,  I  think, 
safely  infer,  that  the  Rhode  Island  coal  is  heavier  than  that  from  Penn- 
sylvania ;  and  the  Worcester  coal  the  heaviest  of  all,  and  nearly  equal 
to  plumbago. 

There  is  another  fact  that  deserves  to  be  noticed  in  this  connection. 
Plumbago,  it  is  well  known,  contains  so  much  iron,  that  some  chem- 
ists regard  it  as  a  carburet  of  iron.  Now  from  the  analysis  of  Mr. 
Vanuxem,§  it  appears  that  the  Rhode  Island  anthracite  contains  a 
much  larger  proportion  of  the  oxides  of  iron  and  maganese,  than  that 
from  Pennsylvania ;  even  more  than  some  specimens  of  plumbago. 
Do  we  not  in  this  circumstance  perceive  another  evidence  of  an  ap- 
proach to  that  mineral  in  this  ancthracite  ?  I  am  not  aware  that  the 
Worcester  anthracite  has  been  analysed ;  nor  have  I  time  to  attempt 
its  analysis  before  completing  this  Report. 

*  Inorganic  Chemistry  vol.  1.  p.  155. 

tTraite  de  Mineralogie  vol.  2.  p.  262. 

t  Chemistry  of  the  Arts.  p.  33. 

II  Journal  of  Science,  vol.  11.  p.  89  and  92. 

§  American  Journal  of  Science,  vol  10.  p.  102. 


Anthracite.  281 

European  geologists  have  satisfactorily  traced  the  progress  of  veg- 
etable matter  from  the  living  vegetable  into  peat,  thence  to  bituminous 
coal.  They  have,  also,  rendered  it  probable,  that  anthracite  is  only 
another  step  in  the  process ;  although  some  of  them  still  doubt  the 
vegetable  origin  of  this  variety  of  coal.  And  in  regard  to  plumbago, 
the  predominant  opinion  I  believe  is,  that  it  has  been  produced  from 
elementary,  rather  than  organized  carbon.  Dr.  Macculloch,  however, 
says,  that  "  the  coal  of  secondary  origin,  containing  vegetable  remains 
is  converted  into  plumbago  by  the  influence  of  trap;  as  wood  has  been 
in  my  experiments,  and  as  coal  is,  daily,  in  the  iron  furnaces  ;  so  that 
even  the  plumbago  of  the  primary  strata,  no  less  than  the  anthracite, 
might  as  well  have  originated  in  vegetables,  as-  that  each  of  them 
should  owe  an  independant  origin  t®  elementary  mineral  carbon."* 

Elie  de  Beaumont  has  also  given  an  account  of  anthracite,  which  is 
associated  in  the  Alps  with  graphite  in  clay  slate,  reposing  on  lias. 
"  This  graphite,"  says  he,  "  is  found  in  a  bed  of  argillaceous  slate 
which  contains  vegetable  impressions,  similar  to  those  which  accom- 
pany other  deposits  of  anthracite  in  that  country.  This  slate  exhib- 
its on  the  surface  of  these  impressions  minute  veins  of  anthracite,  and 
it  forms  a  part  of  a  series,  in  which,  both  above  and  below,  workable 
anthracite  shows  itself:  all  which  proves  that  the  graphite  is  only  a 
modification  of  the  anthracite.  This  modification  appears  to  be  con- 
nected with  the  presence  of  certain  feldspathic  rocks,  which  are  prob- 
ably only  the  ramifications  of  a  huge  mass  of  feldspar  situated  near."f 
If  I  mistake  not,  the  circumstances  under  which  these  varieties  of  car- 
bon occur  in  this  country,  throw  some  light  on  these  enquiries,  and 
render  probable  the  suggestions  of  Dr.  Macculloch.  The  great  num- 
ber of  vegetable  remains  found  in  connexion  with  the  Pennsylvania 
and  Rhode  Island  anthracites,  must,  it  seems  to  me,  satisfy  every 
reasonable  man  of  the  vegetable  origin  of  this  mineral  in  these  in- 
stances. But  a  plumbaginous  substance  occurs  with  the  Rhode  Isl- 
and coal,  and  the  coal  itself  seems  to  be  passing  into  plumbago.  Still 
more  near  to  plumbago  do  we  find  the  Worcester  anthracite,  and  a 
part  of  the  bed  is  probably  real  plumbago.  Here,  however,  we  find 
no  vegetable  remains,  retaining  their  organized  form,  because  the  rock 
belongs  to  the  primary  class ;  being  for  the  most  part  a  bastard  kind 
of  mica  slate.  Advancing  one  step  farther,  we  find  in  the  gneiss  rock 

*  System  of  Geology  vol.  2.  p.  297. 

t  Annals  des  Sciences  Naturelles,  Tome  15.  (1828.)  p.  377. 
36 


282  Scientific  Geology. 

of  Sturbridge — probably  the  oldest  of  all  rocks — a  bed  of  well  charac- 
terised plumbago'  How  very  probable  that  all  these  varieties  of  car- 
bon have  the  same,  and  that  a  vegetable  origin  ?  How  unphilosoph- 
ical,  when  we  can  thus  trace  nearly  every  step  of  the  change,  from 
one  variety  into  another,  to  call  in  the  aid  of  other  causes  to  account 
for  the  origin  of  one  of  them  ?  We  see  here  only  the  operation  of  the 
cause,  or  causes — whatever  they  were — by  which,  as  we  descend  from 
the  newer  to  the  older  rocks,  they  exhibit  less  and  less  of  a  mechanical, 
and  more  and  more  of  a  chemical  arrangement  of  parts,  and  fewer  and 
fewer  traces  of  organic  remains  :  until,  in  the  primary  rocks,  these 
relics  are  nearly  or  quite  obliterated.  Why  should  we  doubt  the  op- 
eration of  such  causes  upon  coal,  any  more  than  upon  other  mineral 
masses  ?  and  if  we  do  grant  this,  we  have  an  easy  and  satisfactory  ex- 
planation of  the  mode  in  which  all  the  varieties  of  carbon  were  pro- 
duced, except  perhaps  the  diamond :  and  from  the  fact  that  the  dia- 
mond breccia  of  India  is  surrounded  by,  and  based  upon  granite,  we 
may  reasonably  conjecture  that  this  mineral  has  been  produced  from 
vegetable  carbonaceous  matter,  that  has  been  fused,  (for  Prof.  Silliman 
has  proved  that  it  is  fusible)  and  subsequently  crystallized.*  And  if 
it  be  true,  that  secondary  coal  is  sometimes  converted  into  anthracite 
and  plumbago  by  the  influence  of  trap,  why  should  we  doubt  but 
heat  has  been  the  agent  of  those  changes  in  every  case  ;  especially  as 
it  is  difficult  to  conceive  how  any  other  agent  could  have  given  to 
rocks  and  minerals  of  a  mechanical  origin,  a  crystalline  or  sub-crys- 
talline structure. 

It  will  be  perceived  that  I  have  anticipated  some  statements  in  re- 
spect to  the  Worcester  anthracite  and  the  Sturbridge  plumbago.  This 
I  have  done  that  I  might  treat  of  their  origin  together,  to  avoid  repe- 
tition. 

I  have  said  so  much  in  the  first  part  of  my  report,  in  respect  to  the 
economical  uses  of  the  anthracite  of  our  graywacke  formation,  that  I 
need  add  nothing  here.  I  cannot,  however,  but  express  my  surprise, 
that  the  ablest  European  geological  and  chemical  writers  should  still 
represent  anthracite  as  of  little  or  no  use,  except  for  furnaces  :  when, 
for  the  last  ten  or  fifteen  years,  so  many  thousand  tons  of  this  miner- 
al have  been  used  in  our  principal  cities,  along  the  whole  Atlantic 
coast,  in  the  parlour,  the  study,  and  the  kitchen ;  and  so  much  has 
been  said  of  its  value  in  our  scientific  and  other  periodical  journals. 

*  Edinburgh  Journal  of  Science,  Vol.  10.  p.  184. 


Minerals  in  Graywacke.  283 

"  In  an  economical  light,"  says  Dr.  Macculloch,  "  it  must  be  fruitless 
to  search  for  coal  below  the  old  red  sandstone,  and,  generally  speak- 
ing, beneath  the  mountain  limestone  ;  as  to  mine  after  primary  coal 
(anthracite  as  I  understand  him,)  would  be  a  wild  project."*  "  Anthra- 
cite," says  Beudant,  "  on  account  of  the  difficulty  with  which  it  is 
kindled,  cannot  be  employed  but  in  furnaces  with  a  good  draught."! 
"  The  difficulty  which  is  experienced  in  the  combustion  of  anthracite," 
says  Dumas,  "  is  a  very  great  obstacle  to  every  economical  use  of  that 
body. — It  is  possible,  indeed,  that  anthracite  wilLone  day  become  use- 
ful in  deep  furnaces  ;  although  in  almost  every  other  process  of  the 
useful  arts,  its  employment  can  be  hardly  practicable,  on  account  of 
the  high  temperature  which  it  requires  to  complete  its  combustion."! 

The  other  minerals  that  have  been  found  in  the  graywake  of  Mas- 
sachusetts and  Rhode  Island,  are  few  and  unimportant.  It  is  hardly 
necessary  to  mention  such  common  and  widely  disseminated  minerals 
as  iron  pyrites,  crystalline  quartz,  and  calcareous  spar.  Magnetic 
iron  ore  and  the  micaceous  oxide,  have  also  been  found  in  this  group 
in  small  quantities :  and  I  have  already  mentioned  crystallized  epi- 
dote,  in  the  varioloid  wacke.  In  the  amphibolic  aggregate,  in  New- 
port, I  found  a  vein  of  crystallized  zoisite,  about  four  inches  wide,  and 
several  feet  long.  In  other  parts  of  the  globe  graywacke  is  a  repos- 
itory of  gold ;  and  the  clay  slate  connected  with  it,  (transition  clay 
slate,)  contains  the  richest  veins  of  silver  in  New  Spain,  according  to 
Baron  Humboldt.||  But  neither  of  these  metals  have  been  found  in 
these  rocks  in  Massachusetts. 

In  the  varioloid  rocks  of  Brighton,  Professor  Webster  has  found  sul- 
phate of  lime  and  baryta.  The  latter  is  said  to  occur  also  in  Milton:  and 
also  fibrous  limestone  in  thin  veins  in  wacke.  Adularia  and  sulphu- 
ret  of  copper  have  been  found  also  at  Brighton.  Efflorescent  and  mas- 
sive sulphate  of  iron  has  been  found,  according  to  the  Messrs.  Da- 
nas,  on  the  argillaceous  slate  in  Charlestown. 

Dr.  Robinson  says  that  the  graywacke,  near  Providence,  is  tra- 
versed by  veins  of  quartz,  containing  fluor  spar. 

In  Brighton,  in  the  varioloid  wacke,  I  noticed  fibres  of  green  asbes- 

*  System  of  Geology,  vol.  2.  p.  305.   London  1831. 

t  Traite  De  Mineralogie,  vol.  1.  p.  717.    Paris  1830. 

t  Traite  de  Chimie  Appliquee  aux  Arts,  vol.  1.  p.  606.    Paris,  1828. 

II  Superposition  of  Rocks,  p.  105. 


284  Scientific  Geology. 

tus   traversing  quartz,  which,  by  the  coloring  matter  of  the  asbestus, 
was  converted  into  prase.     (No.  391.) 

Organic  Remains. 

Having  been  disappointed  in  several  efforts  to  obtain  organic  relics 
in  the  graywacke  formation,  where  I  knew  them  to  exist,  I  am  pre- 
pared to  give  only  a  meagre  account  of  them  in  this  place. 

All  those  which  I  have  met  with,  were  probably  of  vegetable 
origin. 

In  Taunton  I  was  shown  several  imperfect  specimens  obtained 
near  the  village,  which  evidently  belong  to  some  of  the  gigantic  races 
of  plants  now  extinct,  which  flourished  in  the  earlier  periods  of  the 
world.  I  recognized  them  as  bearing  a  strong  resemblance  to  some 
of  the  larger  species  occurring  in  the  coal  mines  in  the  valley  of 
Wyoming  in  Pennsylvania :  but  having  had  no  opportunity  to  com- 
pare these  specimens  with  drawings,  or  descriptions,  I  can  describe 
them  only  in  general  terms. 

In  Attleborough,  east  parish,  a  mile  south  of  the  meeting  house,  I 
found  an  organic  relic  in  a  dark  hard  slate,  which  so  much  resembles 
the  Fucoides  found  in  the  new  red  sandstone  of  the  Connecticut  val- 
ley, that  I  cannot  but  refer  it  to  that  genus ;  not,  howrever,  without 
doubts  as  to  its  nature.  (No.  400.) 

According  to  Dr.  Webb,*  vegetable  impressions  are  found  on  slate 
in  Pawtuxet,  which  lies  on  the  west  shore  of  Narraganset  Bay, 
south  of  Providence.  They  seem  to  belong  chiefly  to  the  fern  tribes. 

The  same  is  true,  I  believe,  of  those  found  at  the  coal  mines  in 
Portsmouth.  It  .was  probably  from  this  locality  that  the  two  speci- 
mens mentioned  in  De  la  Beche's  Manualf  were  obtained.  One  is 
the  fern  Pecopteris  arguta ;  and  the  other,  the  anomalous  plant,  As- 
ter ophyllites  equisetiformis ;  which  as  yet  has  been  referred  to  no  es- 
tablished class. 

In  the  southeast  part  of  Newport,  where  occur  some  narrow  beds 
of  anthracite,  vegetable  remains  are  common.  Of  two  of  these  I  have 
given  a  sketch.  Plate  XL  fig.  10,  bears  considerable  resemblance  to 
an  Equisetum,  as  figured  by  Adolphe  Brongniart  on  plate  12,  fig. 
13,  of  his  Vegetaux  Fossiles.  Plate  XIII.  fig.  43  maybe  a  delicate 
species  of  Nevropteris  of  the  same  author.  I  noticed  there  some 
other  species  of  the  same  genus. 

*  Am.  Journal  Science,  vol.  8.  p.  225. 
t  P.  416  and  419,  second  edition. 


Theoretical  Considerations.  285 

Vegetable  impressions  have  been  found  in  considerable  quantity  at 
the  excavations  for  coal  in  Wrentham.  The  most  common  is  what  I 
have  supposed  to  be  several  species  of  Calamites,  of  Ad.<  Brongniart. 
Some  of  them  are  several  inches  in  width  ;  and  are  marked  out  on 
the  rock  by  a  plaited  layer  of  green  indurated  talc — a  most  remark- 
able mineralizer  !  Plate  XIII.  fig.  41,  represents  a  small  portion  of 
one  of  those  Calamites,  which  exhibits  numerous  small  seams  run- 
ning obliquely  across  the  specimen,  like  the  C.  nodosus  of  Brongni- 
art. On  fig.  42  may  be  seen  two  quite  different  impressions  :  a  and 
b  are  furrowed  longitudinally,  and  appear  to  be  branched :  perhaps  a 
part  of  an  Equisetum.  The  other  fan-like  impression,  with  radiated 
stria,  may  perhaps  belong  to  the  genus  Cyclopteris  of  Ad.  Brongni- 
art :  though  I  am  not  without  suspicion  that  this  also  may  be  an 
Equisetum. 

Theoretical  Considerations. 

In  general  the  theoretical  views  that  have  been  presented  in  rela- 
tion to  the  origin  of  the  new  red  sandstone,  will  apply  to  the  gray- 
wacke.  Two  or  three  circumstances  only,  in  relation  to  this  latter 
rock,  need  any  additional  remarks. 

One  is  the  more  decided  evidence,  which  the  graywacke  presents, 
of  the  operation  of  chemical  agencies  in  its  production.  This  is  ob- 
vious in  the  more  crystalline  aspect  of  the  rock  in  general,  and  espe- 
cially of  certain  varieties;  and  in  the  numerous  veins  traversing  this 
rock,  which  must  have  resulted  from  a  play  of  chemical  affinities. 
It  may  be  difficult,  in  the  present  state  of  geological  science,  to  assign 
any  satisfactory  reason,  why  the  older  rocks,  with  some  exceptions,  are 
more  highly  crystalline  than  the  newer.  But  if  it  be  admitted  that  in- 
ternal heat  in  the  earth,  which  every  thing  proves  must  once  have  been 
very  powerful,  has  been  gradually  operating  less  and  less  upon  the  crust 
of  the  globe,  why  is  it  not  a  natural  inference,  that  the  older  the  rock 
the  more  crystalline  would  be  its  structure:  that  is,  if  we  admit  that  the 
heat  has  been  great  enough  to  change  the  arrangement  of  the  particles 
of  rocks,  whose  origin  was  mechanical :  and  it  appears  that  such  a 
change  may  take  place,  to  some  extent  at  least,  far  below  a  melting 
heat.  Only  admit  then,  that  the  graywacke  is  an  older  rock  than  the 
new  red  sandstone,  (and  it  seems  to  me  that  the  veins  in  the  former 
are  sufficient  to  prove  this,)  and  we  should  expect  in  it  a  more  chem- 
ical structure. 

Another  peculiarity  in  the  graywacke,  so  far  as  we  are  acquainted 


286  Scientific  Geology. 

with  its  organic  remains,  is,  that  all  of  them  are  of  vegetable  origin. 
Whether  all  of  them  grew  upon  dry  land  is  not  so  certain ;  if,  as  I 
have  suggested,  a  Fucoides  occur  in  this  rock.  The  beds  of  an- 
thracite, however,  prove  that  this  rock  was  formed,  in  part  at  least, 
on  a  surface  elevated  above  the  waters.  Yet  we  must  call  in  the  aid 
of  powerful  currents  to  account  for  the  accumulation  of  rounded  nod- 
ules, which  are  so  abundant  and  so  large  in  some  varieties  of  this 
rock :  and  then  the  inclined  position  of  the  strata  proves  that  they 
have  been  elevated  since  their  deposition.  Indeed,  it  seems  difficult 
to  explain  all  the  phenomena  in  this  graywacke,  or  any  other  forma- 
tion containing  coal,  with  some  marine  relics,  without  supposing  at 
least  one  or  two  elevations  above,  and  depressions  below  the  waters, 
during  the  period  of  its  deposition.  And  if  we  admit  that  various 
portions  of  the  earth's  crust  have  from  time  to  time  been  elevated,  it 
is  easy  to  conceive  that  other  portions  must  have  been  depressed. 

6.    ARGILLACEOUS  SLATE. 

This  is  one  of  those  rocks  whose  mineral  character  is  clear  ;  it 
being  composed  of  schistose  clay,  more  or  less  indurated.  This 
character,  however,  applies  to  the  shale  of  the  secondary  rocks,  which 
few  geologists  now  include  under  argillaceous  slate.  It  also  applies 
to  some  of  the  slaty  varieties  of  graywacke :  and  Dr.  Macculloch  in- 
cludes under  argillaceous  slate  tho  whole  of  the  graywacke  formation, 
as  well  as  that  argillaceous  slate  which  is  associated  with  rocks  older 
than  graywacke.  But  De  la  Beche  limits  the  term  to  this  last  named 
slate,  excluding  the  graywacke,  which  he  puts  into  a  separate  group. 
I  prefer  his  arrangement  upon  the  whole  ;  though  in  adopting  it  I 
find  myself  perplexed  to  determine  whether  the  argillaceous  slate 
around  Boston,  belongs  to  his  "  Inferior  stratified  or  Non-fossiliferous 
Rocks,"  or  is  a  member  of  the  graywacke  group ;  where,  for  the 
sake  of  convenience,  I  have  described  it.  I  am  inclined  to  believe 
that  it  should  be  separated  from  the  graywacke ;  though  with  my 
present  information,  I  cannot  say  exactly  where  the  dividing  line 
should  run.  But  the  fact  that  no  organic  remains  have  been  hitherto 
discovered  in  this  slate,  and  the  occurrence  of  its  rolled  nodules  in 
some  of  the  conglomerates  of  the  graywacke,  as  well  as  its  geological 
position,  render  it  probable  that  it  is  considerably  older  than  most 
varieties  of  graywacke. 

In  respect  to  the  other  patches  of  argillaceous  slate  exhibited  on 


Varieties  of  Clay  Slate.  287 

the  map,  there  can  be  little  doubt  but  they  belong  to  De  la  Beche's 
Inferior  Stratified  or  Non-fossiliferous  Rocks ;  though  I  doubt  not 
but  some  of  them  would  be  placed  by  a  Wernerian  geologist  among 
the  "  transition  clay  slates."  But  I  regard  it  as  quite  unprofitable  to 
enter  upon  the  long  agitated  question  whether  our  clay  slate  belong 
to  the  transition  or  primary  class  of  rocks.  It  will  be  in  season  to  dis- 
cuss this  point,  when  any  one  can  show  where  the  transition  class  be- 
gins or  ends;  and  when  there  shall  be  even  a  tolerable  agreement  as  to 
the  place  in  the  series  where  the  primary  class  commences.  A  mere 
inspection  of  the  tabular  view  of  our  rocks,  which  I  have  given  in  the 
Atlas,  will  show  that  the  answers  to  these  questions  will  depend  upon 
the  system  or  classification  which  we  adopt.  I  shall  feel  satisfied,  if 
I  can  correctly  describe  the  position  of  this  rock  in  respect  to  others. 
In  what  follows,  I  shall  leave  out  of  the  account  the  argillaceous  slate 
in  the  vicinity  of  Boston. 

Miner alogical  Characters. 

The  common  argillaceous  slate,  which  in  its  most  perfect  state 
forms  roof  slate,  is  the  only  variety  of  importance  belonging  to  this 
formation.  This  passes  by  slow  gradations  into  mica  slate ;  so  that 
it  is  often  impossible  to  say  where  the  one  terminates  and  the  other 
commences.  Hence  some  of  the  specimens  which  I  place  under 
mica  slate,  other  observers  would  place  under  argillaceous  slate,  and 
vice  versa. 

The  laminae  in  the  best  varieties  are  straight  and  even  :  but  as  it 
approximates  to  mica  slate,  they  become  minutely  undulated,  the  sur- 
face resembling  exceedingly  that  of  certain  shales  of  the  new  red 
sandstone  already  described.  Some  of  these  intermediate  varieties 
are  remarkably  contorted :  but  these  I  shall  describe  under  mica 
slate. 

In  Guilford,  Vt.  through  which  the  Franklin  County  range  of  this 
slate  extends,  I  have  observed  that  it  passes  into  a  fine  grained  vari- 
ety of  chlorite  slate,  and  even  perhaps  into  novaculite.  That  range 
also  abounds  with  tuberculous  masses  of  white  quartz.  Veins  of 
quartz  also  occur  in  it,  as  I  shall  have  occasion  shortly  to  show  more 
particularly ;  and  in  Guilford  we  find  protruding  masses  of  a  por- 
phyroid  granite,  passing  into  compact  feldspar,  and  a  slaty  mixture 
of  this  last  mineral  and  quartz.  The  Worcester  County  range,  also, 
contains  granite. 


288  Scientific  Geology. 

Topography  of  the  Argillaceous  Slate. 

With  the  exception  of  that  in  the  vicinity  of  Boston,  the  map  ex- 
hibits hut  three  ranges  of  argillaceous  slate  ;  viz.  in  the  counties  of 
Worcester,  Franklin,  and  Berkshire.  And  it  happens  that  in  all 
these  cases,  except  perhaps  the  first,  the  principal  part  of  the  range 
lies  out  of  the  state,  either  in  New  Hampshire,  Vermont,  or  New 
York.  Two  miles  south  of  the  center  of  Halifax,  Plymouth  County, 
also,  I  found  a  delicate  variety  of  argillaceous  slate,  which  I  was 
informed  was  discovered  in  digging  wells,  and  that  it  lay  immediately 
upon  granite.  (No.  363.)  But  whether  it  exists  to  any  considerable 
extent  in  that  region,  I  am  unable  to  say. 

Worcester  County  Argillaceous  Slate. 

Some  geologists  would  probably  regard  the  slate  that  forms  the 
roof  and  floor  of  the  mine  of  anthracite  in  Worcester,  as  argillace- 
ous slate ;  and  maintain  that  the  range  of  this  slate  in  Worcester 
County,  extends  at  least  as  far  south  as  that  spot.  But  I  regard  that 
slate  rather  as  a  fine  mica  slate,  much  impregnated  with  carbon, 
which  gives  it  the  appearance  of  argillaceous  slate.  In  almost  every 
case  the  scales  of  mica  are  quite  distinct :  and  at  a  short  distance  from 
the  mine,  the  rock  assumes  the  characters  of  mica  slate  distinctly ; 
though  here,  as  in  most  of  the  range  of  mica  slate  extending  from 
the  mouth  of  Merrimack  to  the  State  of  Connecticut,  much  of  the 
rock  is  so  quartzose  that  it  might  perhaps  be  regarded  as  quartz  rock. 
I  have  not  found  any  well  characterized  argillaceous  slate,  south  of 
Boylston.  And  north  of  this  place,  the  country  is  so  much  covered 
with  diluvium,  and  so  little  hilly,  that  the  slate  does  not  often  come 
into  view.  I  found  the  range,  however,  to  become  narrower  on  ap- 
proaching the  north  line  of  the  State.  Its  characters  appear  most 
fully  developed  in  Lancaster,  where  it  has  been  quarried  for  roofing 
slate  ;  and  here  the  range  is  broadest.  How  far  it  extends  into  New 
Hampshire  I  have  not  ascertained ;  though  I  should  not  be  surprised 
to  find  it  even  crossing  that  state.  In  passing  from  Groton  to  Town- 
send,  I  saw  frequent  examples  of  protruding  masses  and  veins  of 
granite  in  this  slate. «  It  passes  on  either  side  into  the  peculiar  mica 
slate,  already  spoken  of  in  Worcester  County  ;  and  in  this  latter  rock 
protrusions  of  granite  are  not  unirequent. 


Ranges  of  Argillaceous  Slate.  289 

Franklin  County  Argillaceous  Slate. 

It  will  be  seen  by  the  map  that  this  range  occupies  a  considerable 
part  of  the  town  of  Bernardston,  passing  into  quartz  rock  on  the 
east,  and  into  mica  slate  on  the  west,  and  embracing  a  considerable 
part  of  two  mountains  of  considerable  height.  It  is  not,  however, 
till  we  pass  into  Vermont,  that  this  slate  assumes  its  most  perfect 
characters.  In  Bernardston  it  is  quarried,  indeed  ;  but  not  I  believe 
for  roofing  slate.  But  in  Guilford,  which  adjoins  Massachusetts,  sev- 
eral quarries  are  opened  for  this  purpose.  It  there  forms  hills  of 
considerable  elevation ;  and  such  is  its  character  farther  north.  It 
has  been  traced  northward,  in  the  valley  of  the  Connecticut,  80  or  90 
miles,  in  Vermont ;  nor  do  I  know  that  its  northern  limit  has  yet 
been  ascertained. 

Berkshire  County  Argillaceous  Slate. 

This  ought  perhaps  rather  to  be  called  the  argillaceous  slate  of 
Renssalaer  and  Columbia  counties :  for  the  principal  part  of  it  lies 
in  New  York,  in  the  eastern  part  of  these  counties.  Near  the  west- 
ern line  of  Massachusetts  it  passes  into  mica  slate,  talco-argillaceous 
slate,  and  chlorite  slate,  by  taking  mica,  talc,  and  chlorite,  more  or 
less  abundantly,  into  its  composition.  The  same  rock  forms  hills 
and  patches  of  limited  extent  in  Williamstown,  New  Ashford,  Rich- 
mond, West  Stockbridge,  Egremont,  and  Sheffield.  But  in  no  place 
in  Massachusetts  will  it  answer  for  roofing  slate.  For  this  purpose 
it  is  wrought  extensively  in  Hoosac,  Lebanon,  and  Hillsdale,  N.  Y. 
I  doubt  very  much  whether  the  whole  of  this  stratum  in  Massachu- 
setts should  not  be  regarded  as  an  imperfect  kind  of  mica  slate,  simi- 
lar to  an  intermediate  rock  of  doubtful  character  occurring  in  Haw- 
ley,  Plairifield,  &c.  which  I  have  ranked  with  mica  slate.  Still,  as 
Professor  Dewey,  who  has  examined  this  rock  more  than  I  have,  re- 
gards it  as  argillaceous  slate,  I  follow  his  judgment. 

On  the  west,  this  range  is  connected  with  the  graywacke  forma- 
tion of  Renssalaer  and  Columbia  counties ;  and  on  the  east,  it  is  as- 
sociated with  mica  slate,  and  a  limestone  usually  regarded  as  prim- 
itive. 

Dip,  Direction,  and  Thickness  of  the  Strata. 

Excepting  in  the  argillaceous  slate  connected  with  the  graywacke, 
I  have  not  been  able  to  find  in  this  rock  planes  of  stratification  run- 
37 


290  .  Scientific  Geology. 

ning  in  a  different  direction  from  the  laminae  ;  a  circumstance  very 
common,  it  is  said,  in  Europe.  But  in  general  strata  seams  are  dis- 
coverable, lying  parallel  to  the  slaty  structure,  as  in  mica  slate.  The 
slate,  indeed,  contains  numerous  seams  not  coincident  with  those  of 
the  strata :  but  there  is  rarely  any  continuous  parallelism  among 
them. 

The  predominant  direction  of  the  strata  and  of  the  laminae  of  slate 
in  all  the  ranges  of  this  rock,  except  that  around  Boston,  and  that  in 
Franklin  County,  is  north  and  south,  and  the  dip  large  ;  as  the  fol- 
lowing extract  from  my  traveling  notes  will  show. 

In  Worcester  County. 

Harvard  and  Lancaster ;  direction,  North  a  few  degrees  East ; 
dip,  90°. 

Shirley ;  direction,  North  and  South ;  dip,  West,  small. 

Pepper  ell  and  Townsend;  direction,  North  and  South;  dip,  30°  to 
60°  East. 

In  Franklin  County. 

Bernardston  ;  direction,  North  and  South  ;  dip,  20°  to  90°  East. 
Guilford,  Vt. ;  direction,  between  North  and  Northeast ;    dip,  near 
90  degrees. 

In  Berkshire  County. 

Taconic  Range;  direction,  North  and  South  ;  dip,  15°  to  70° East. 

If,  as  I  have  supposed,  the  strata  seams  are  parallel  to  the  laminae 
of  the  slate,  and  the  dip  approaches  90  degrees,  then  the  actual  thick- 
ness of  this  rock  will  not  be  much  less  than  its  breadth  on  the  sur- 
face. As  to  its  perpendicular  thickness,  I  know  nothing. 

Organic  Remains. 

No  vegetable  or  animal  relic  in  a  fossil  state  has  hitherto  been 
found  in  the  argillaceous  slate  of  Massachusetts.  Since,  however, 
this  rock  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  State,  is  associated  with  gray- 
wacke,  and  in  the  western  part  of  the  State  passes  into  the  same,  it 
will  not  be  strange  if  organic  remains  should  hereafter  be  found  in 
it.  Every  range  of  this  rock,  however,  in  the  State,  we  have  reason 
to  believe,  belongs  to  the  oldest  varieties  of  argillaceous  slate,  which 
geologists  have  described. 


Chiastolite. 


291 


Mineral  Contents. 

The  slate  of  the  Taconic  range  sometimes  contains  octahedral 
crystals  of  magnetic  oxide  of  iron,  as  well  as  the  sulphuret  of  the 
same  metal. 

The  clay  slate  in  Charlestown,  is  frequently  traversed  by  veins  of 
crystallized  quartz  and  calcareous  spar. 

The  most  interesting  mineral  in  this  rock  is  the  chiastolite,  or 
macle ;  which  is  found  in  Sterling  and  Lancaster.  There  is  a  great 
variety  in  the  manner  in  which  the  prisms  are  disposed.  The  fol- 
lowing are  end  views,  of  the  natural  size,  of  some  of  the  most  inter- 
esting forms. 


This  mineral  is  quite  abundant  in  the  clay  slate  in  these  towns,  near 
the  place  where  the  rock  passes  into  mica  slate.  It  changes  insensi- 
bly into  the  mineral  which  has  been  generally  called  andalusite  ;  and 
the  opinion  of  some  of  the  ablest  mineralogists  of  the  present  day,* 
that  macle  and  andalusite  are  the  same  species,  derives  support  from 
this  locality.  I  have  found  this  mineral  in  small  crystals  in  a  loose 
mass  of  argillaceous  slate  in  the  town  of  Worcester.  (No.  404.) 

Evidence  of  Disturbances  in  the  Argillaceous  Slate. 

I  do  not  here  refer  to  those  agencies  by  which  the  layers  of  this 
rock  have  been  elevated  from  a  horizontal  to  a  nearly  vertical  posi- 
tion ;  nor  to  those  by  which  its  usual  flexures  have  been  produced ; 
but  to  some  movements  that  have  taken  place  in  certain  anomalous 


*  Beudant's  Traite  de  Mineralogie,  Vol.  2.  p.  45. 


292 


Scientific  Geology. 


directions.     The  instances  which  I  shall  refer  to,  all  occur  in  the 
Franklin  County  range,  and  mostly  in  Guilford,  Vt. 

In  some  instances  we  find  veins  of  quartz  in  the  slate,  as  repre- 
resented  below.  Here  it  is  obvious,  both  from  the  curvatures  in  the 
undulating  ridges  of  the  slate,  and  from  the  wedge-form  shape  of  the 
veins,  that  a  force  must  have  acted  laterally  on  the  edges  of  the  lam- 
inae, while  they  were  in  a  partially  plastic  state:  and  that  an  infil- 
tration of  quartz  must  have  taken  place  subsequently.  It  is  not  per- 
haps difficult  to  conceive  how  such  a  lateral  action  might  have  tak- 
en place,  when  the  strata  were  originally  elevated.  The  specimen 
from  which  the  drawing  was  taken,  (No.  411,)  was  found  near  the 
north  line  of  Guilford,  on  the  stage  road. 


In  the  principal  quarry  of  slate,  on  the  stage  road  to  Brattle- 
borough  from  Greenfield,  are  seen  occasionally  cross  seams,  perpen- 
dicular to  the  horizon,  and  to  the  laminae  of  the  slate,  which  are 
nearly  vertical,  and  run  north  and  south.  Not  unfrequently,  how- 
ever, the  slate  at  these  cross  seams,  when  its  edges  are  viewed  from 
above,  is  bent  as  in  the  following  figures,  which  exactly  represent 
the  specimens.  (No.  417  and  418.) 


Disturbances  in  Clay  Slate.  293 

In  the  latter  case  the  flexure  is  so  great  that  the  slate  is  partially 
broken  ;  and  this  is  the  case  frequently ;  showing  that  when  the  dis- 
turbance took  place,  the  rock  was  only  imperfectly  plastic.  The 
quarry  where  these  flexures  are  exhibited,  has  been  so  much  exca- 
vated, as  to  leave  a  wall  20  or  30  feet  high ;  and  excepting  at  these 
cross  seams,  the  laminae  are  remarkably  even  ;  so  that  the  phenom- 
enon is  rendered  very  striking.  It  must  obviously  have  resulted 
from  the  unequal  action  of  some  disturbing  force  —  perhaps  that  by 
which  the  strata  were  elevated — whereby  one  portion  of  the  rock 
was  pressed  forward,  faster  than  the  rest ;  though  in  some  places  not 
enough  to  separate,  but  only  to  bend,  the  slate  while  in  a  soft  con- 
dition. 

At  the  Gorge,  or  Glen,  in  Leyden,  I  found  a  series  of  such  slides 
on  a  small  scale,  exhibited  by  the  slate  ;  as  in  the  following  sketch  ; 
though  perhaps  the  rock  ought  to  be  regarded  as  mica  slate.  (No. 
416.)  Here  the  echellon  movement  took  place  in  a  direction  at  right 
angles  to  that  described  above. 


Another  disturbance,  much  more  remarkable,  appears  at  the  quarry 
in  Guilford  above  referred  to.  In  the  following  sketch  the  observer 
faces  the  north,  and  looks  directly  upon  the  edges  of  slate,  as  it  re- 
mains at  the  north  end  of  the  quarry,  in  its  natural  position.  The 
almost  uniform  dip  of  the  strata,  in  every  part  of  this  quarry,  is  near- 
ly 90°;  leaning,  however,  a  little  to  the  east.  And  such  is  their  po- 
sition at  the  north  end  of  the  quarry,  to  the  height  of  15  feet,  as  rep- 
resented in  the  sketch.  But  from  10  to  15  feet  of  the  upper  part  of 
the  slate  are  bent  towards  the  west,  so  as  to  incline  to  the  horizon  at 
almost  every  angle,  from  0°  to  90°.  Where  the  flexure  commences, 
the  laminae  of  the  slate  are  quite  broken  off,  and  not  simply  bent,  as 
in  the  case  of  the  disturbance  in  a  perpendicular  direction  above  de- 
scribed. Hence  I  infer  that  the  former  flexure  was  not  produced  so 
soon  as  the  latter ;'  not  indeed  until  the  rock  had  become  perfectly 
consolidated.  The  quarry  lies  upon  the  western  slope  of  a  hill  of 


294  Scientific  Geology. 

slate,  one  or  two  hundred  feet  high ;  and  the  facts  now  related  seem 
incapable  of  explanation,  but  by  supposing  a  prodigious  blow  to  have 
been  given  to  the  top  of  the  hill,  directed  from  east  to  west  obliquely 
downwards.  But  what  natural  agent  could  have  exerted  such  a  force 
on  such  a  point,  I  confess  myself  utterly  at  a  loss  to  imagine.  Among 
the  endless  variety  of  geological  hypotheses  that  have  been  proposed, 
I  could  not  call  one  to  mind,  which  would  apply  at  all  to  this  phe- 
nomenon, unless  it  be  the  supposition  formerly  advanced,  that  the  last 
deluge  might  have  been  produced  by  the  impinging  of  a  comet 
against  the  earth  !  I  confess  I  could  not  but  enquire  whether  this 
might  not  have  been  the  point  of  contact ! 


Disturbance  in  the  Argillaceous  Slate  :  Guilford,  Vt. 

Theoretical  Considerations. 

When  we  consider  the  nature  of  the  materials  composing  argilla- 
ceous slate,  it  seems  difficult  to  assign  any  other  origin  to  this  rock, 
than  deposition  from  water.  Indeed,  one  has  only  to  look  at  a  clay 
bed,  such  as  occurs  in  some  of  the  tertiary  strata,  which  we  are  sure 
must  have  been  deposited  from  water,  to  be  satisfied  that  he  has  be- 
fore him  clay  slate  in  its  unfinished  state ;  since  nothing  but  the  con- 
solidation of  the  clay  bed  is  wanting  to  convert  it  into  perfect  clay 
slate.  But  what  agency  could  have  effected  this  consolidation?  Mere 
desiccation  would  do  much  ;  but  it  is  difficult  to  believe  that  this  could 


Limestone.  295 

have  produced  so  great  a  degree  of  hardness,  and  that  shining  semi- 
crystalline  aspect  which  the  older  clay  slates  exhibit.  Now  we  find 
the  laminae  of  the  clay  beds  horizontal,  or  nearly  so,  and  those  of 
the  slate  highly  inclined ;  and  we  trace  evidences  of  a  powerful  force 
producing  flexures  in  this  rock  while  in  a  plastic  state.  Why  not 
then  admit  that  the  agency,  by  which  the  strata  were  elevated  and 
the  plastic  slate  produced,  was  igneous  ?  And  then  we  can  easily 
conceive  how  the  rock  should  subsequently  have  been  so  thoroughly 
indurated.  Especially  why  hesitate,  when  the  fused  matter  protru- 
ded at  the  time  of  the  elevation  of  the  strata,  meets  us  in  almost  every 
district  of  much  extent,  in  the  form  of  trap,  porphyry,  sienite,  or 
granite  ? 

7.       LIMESTONE. 

No  rock  is  more  widely  diffused  in  nature,  or  less  liable  to  be  mis- 
taken, than  the  carbonate  of  lime.  From  alluvial  marl  to  the  sac- 
charine limestones  associated  with  gneiss  and  mica  slate,  we  find  an 
almost  endless  variety  of  this  rock ;  but  in  nearly  every  case  a  drop 
of  acid  will  enable  a  skillful  observer  to  detect  it  and  distinguish 
it  from  its  associates.  A  more  formidable  difficulty  has  always 
met  the  geologist  in  assigning  to  the  varieties  of  this  rock  their  true 
places  in  the  scale  of  strata. 

Most  of  the  limestone  in  Massachusetts  belongs  unquestionably  to 
the  oldest  varieties  of  that  rock.  The  newest  varieties  are  the  fetid 
and  bituminous,  which  are  associated  with  the  new  red  sandstone, 
and  which  have  been  already  described.  I  have  also  given  an  ac- 
count of  the  white  compact  limestone  of  Newport,  Rhode  Island,  and 
the  gray  limestone  of  Walpole,  with  the  suggestion  that  they  proba- 
bly belong  to  the  graywacke  series.  All  the  other  varieties  in  the 
State,  I  shall  describe  in  this  place.  And  as  the  localities  are  rather 
numerous,  and  the  diversities  of  composition,  structure,  and  aspect, 
somewhat  great ;  I  shall,  to  save  repetition,  follow  a  topographical  ar- 
rangement in  the  description. 

Encrinal  Limestone  of  Bernardston. 

Since  the  first  edition  of  the  first  part  of  my  report  was  published, 
I  have  had  the  satisfaction  of  discovering  organic  remains,  of  the 
family  of  encrinites,  in  the  bed  of  limestone  in  Bernardston.  From 
the  highly  crystalline  character  of  most  of  this  rock,  I  had  been  led 


296  Scientific  Geology, 

to  suppose  it  older  than  the  encrinal  or  transition  limestone ;  and  that 
it  formed  a  bed  in  the  argillaceous  slate  of  Bernardston,  which  ap- 
pears to  be  one  of  the  oldest  varieties  of  that  rock.  But  its  organic 
remains  settle  the  question  of  its  position ;  and  differing  in  dip  and 
direction  from  the  slate,  I  have  been  led  to  doubt  whether  it  really 
forms  a  bed  in  that  rock.  The  slate  in  the  vicinity  runs  nearly  north 
and  south,  and  the  dip  is  nearly  90°  ;  but  the  limestone  runs  N.  E.  and 
S.  W.,  and  dips  S.  E.  not  more  than  20°.  Besides,  the  rock  that  is 
found  above  the  bed  of  limestone,  (No.  601,)  appears  to  be  mostly 
composed  of  quartz,  and  probably  ought  to  be  called  quartz  rock. 
It  does  not  lie  in  immediate  contact  with  the  limestone,  nor  is  the 
slate  visible  immediately  beneath  the  limestone.  Upon  the  whole,  I 
am  of  opinion  that  this  limestone  lies  beneath  the  oldest  variety  of 
the  new  red  sandstone  series,  which  has  been  described,  and  upon  the 
argillaceous  slate,  in  an  unconformable  position.  Probably  further 
research  might  settle  this  point  satisfactorily. 

Two  species  of  iron  ore  occur  in  this  limestone  ;  the  magnetic  ox- 
ide, (Aimant,  Beudant,)  and  the  bog  ore,  or  hydrate  of  iron,  (Limo- 
nite  ocreuse,  Beudant.)  The  latter  is  disseminated  through  a  large 
proportion  of  the  upper  layers  of  the  limestone,  and  also  forms  masses, 
several  inches  thick,  between  these  layers.  It  exactly  resembles  the 
common  bog  ore,  so  abundant  in  our  alluvial  formations.  (No.  504.) 
This  is  not  the  only  instance  in  which  I  have  found  this  ore  between  the 
strata  of  other  rocks,  as  I  shall  have  occasion  to  show  hereafter  j  and 
Beudant  mentions  several  localities  in  Europe,  where  the  limonite  is 
found  "between  the  beds  of  divers  rocks." 

The  magnetic  oxide  occurs  as  a  bed  in  the  limestone,  lower  down 
than  the  bog  ore.  The  bed  follows  the  dip  of  the  limestone,  and  that 
rock  is  much  impregnated  with  the  ore  in  the  vicinity  ;  so  as  some- 
times to  produce  a  sort  of  brecciated  marble.  (No.  472.) 

It  is  very  obvious  that  both  these  species  of  iron  ore  must  have  been 
of  contemporaneous  production  with  the  limestone,  since  it  is  impos- 
sible to  conceive  how  parallel  interstices  could  have  existed  between 
strata  so  little  inclined,  long  enough  to  be  filled  by  watery  infiltration, 
or  igneous  sublimation,  or  galvanic  agency, — the  only  modes  by 
which  metallic  repositories  have  been  supposed  to  be  filled.  That  the 
bog  ore  was  deposited,  as  we  find  the  same  ore  now  forming,  seems 
highly  probable.  But  I  am  not  aware  of  any  theory  which  will  sat- 
isfactorily explain  how  the  magnetic  oxide,  which  consists  of  69  parts 


Berkshire  Limestone.  297 

of  peroxide  and  31   of  protoxide,  could  have  been  produced  in  con- 
junction with  the  limestone. 

The  encrinal  remains  in  the  Bernardston  limestone  are  usually 
quite  imperfect ;  but  the  transverse  septa  and  the  central  perforation 
are  generally  distinct.  Plate  XIV.  fig.  47,  exhibits  an  end  view  of 
one  encrinus,  about  an  inch  in  diameter  ;  and  a  view  of  another,  lying 
horizontally  in  the  rock. 

Berkshire  Limestone. 

This  rock  constitutes  a  portion  of  that  extensive  calcareous  forma- 
tion, which  occupies  the  western  part  of.  Connecticut,  Massachusetts, 
and  Vermont.  It  is  one  of  the  most  extensive  ranges  of  limestone 
in  the  world,  if  we  regard  it  as  primary,  according  to  the  general 
opinion  of  writers.  That  a  part  of  it  is  primitive,  in  the  Wernerian 
acceptation  of  the  term,  there  can  be  no  doubt :  for  it  is  interstratified 
with  gneiss  and  mica  slate  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  range,  and  it  is 
highly  crystalline  in  its  texture.  But  as  we  go  westerly,  the  inter- 
stratified  mica  slate  passes  into  clay  slate,  and  the  limestone  becomes 
less  crystalline,  and  assumes  a  gray,  and  finally  a  dark  color.  Pass- 
ing still  farther  west,  across  the  clay  slate,  into  New  York,  we  soon 
come  to  a  range  of  limestone  decidedly  more  recent,  which  Professor 
Dewey  has  denominated  transition  limestone,  and  Professor  Eaton, 
metalliferous  limestone.  Crossing  this  rock,  which  is  only  a  few 
miles  wide,  we  reach  decided  graywacke ;  and  this,  with  some  inter- 
ruptions of  limestone,  continues  nearly  to  Hudson  river  ;  as  may  be 
seen  on  the  Geological  Map  by  Prof.  Dewey,  in  the  8th  vol.  of  the 
American  Journal  of  Science,  and  on  the  Geological  Section  of  Prof. 
Eaton  in  his  "  Canal  Rocks." 

From  this  statement  the  geologist  infers  at  once,  that  here  is  a 
gradual  passage  from  the  oldest  limestone  to  that  which  is  associated 
with  graywacke.  But  a  singular  anomaly  in  the  superposition  of  the 
series  of  rocks  above  described,  presents  a  great  difficulty  in  this  case. 
The  strata  of  these  rocks  almost  uniformly  dip  to  the  east :  that  is, 
the  newer  rocks  seem  to  crop  out  beneath  the  older  ones  ;  so  that  the 
saccharine  limestone,  associated  with  gneiss  in  the  eastern  part  of 
the  range,  seems  to  occupy  the  uppermost  place  in  the  series.  Now 
as  superposition  is  of  more  value  in  determining  the  relative  ages  of 
rocks  than  their  mineral  characters,  must  we  not  conclude  that  the 
rocks,  as  we  go  westerly  from  Hoosac  mountain,  do  in  fact  belong  to 
older  groups  ?  The  petrifactions  which  some  of  them  contain,  and 
38. 


298  Scientific  Geology. 

their  decidedly  fragmentary  character,  will  not  allow  such  a  supposi- 
tion to  be  indulged  for  a  moment.  It  is  impossible  for  a  geologist  to 
mistake  the  evidence,  which  he  sees  at  almost  every  step,  that  he  is 
passing  from  older  to  newer  formations,  just  as  soon  as  he  begins  to 
cross  the  valley  of  Berkshire  towards  the  west.  We  are  driven  then 
to  the  alternative  of  supposing,  either  that  there  must  be  a  deception 
in  the  apparent  outcrop  of  the  newer  rocks  from  beneath  the  older,  or 
that  the  whole  series  of  strata  has  been  actually  thrown  over,  so  as 
to  bring  the  newest  rocks  at  the  bottom.  The  latter  supposition  is  so 
improbable  that  I  cannot  at  present  admit  it.  But  perhaps  we  may 
explain  the  anomaly  by  supposing  a  deception  in  the  case.  It  may 
be  that  the  relative  position  of  the  strata  is  as  in  the  subjoined  ideal 
section. 


Gneiss  and  Mica  Slate. 

In  the  greater  part  of  the  Hoosac  range,  the  strata  of  gneiss  and 
mica  slate  are  nearly  perpendicular  in  their  dip.  As  we  descend  that 
mountain  into  the  valley  of  Berkshire,  we  strike  first  a  range  of 
quartz  rock,  whose  stratification  is  very  obscure,  and  which  moreover 
is  much  hidden  by  diluvium  ;  so  that  the  junction  between  this  rock 
and  the  mica  slate  and  gneiss  of  the  Hoosac  range,  is  rarely  if  ever 
exhibited.  As  we  proceed  west,  we  find  successive  and  sometimes 
interlaminated  strata  of  limestone,  and  mica  slate  ;  whose  con- 
nection with  the  Hoosac  range  is  no  where  presented,  as  nearly  all 
the  larger  streams  of  water  and  the  vallies  run  in  the  direction  of  the 
strata.  Now  may  not  the  strata  of  Berkshire  valley  rest  unconforma- 
bly  on  the  mica  slate  and  gneiss  of  the  Hoosac  range?  Certain  it  is 
that  the  dip  of  the  former,  although  in  the  same  direction,  is  consid- 
erably less  than  that  of  the  latter.  It  may  be,  also,  that  another  se- 
ries of  strata  farther  west,  (ex.  gr.  the  clay  slate,  transition  limestone, 


Berkshire  Limestone.  299 

and  graywacke,)  rest  unconformably  on  the  edges  of  the  rocks  in  the 
valley  of  Berkshire,  which  may  pass  under  this  series,  as  the  older 
mica  slate,  perhaps,  does  under  the  quartz  rock  and  limestone,  as  ex- 
hibited on  the  sketch  :  or  perhaps  the  rocks  of  Berkshire  valley  lie 
in  a  basin,  whose  eastern  side  is  the  Hoosac  range,  and  whose  west- 
ern side  is  the  Tacconic  range.  Then  perhaps  the  transition  lime- 
stone, clay  slate,  and  graywacke,  may  fill  a  second  basin  farther  west. 
Another  series,  perhaps,  was  deposited  in  a  third  basin  still  farther 
west ;  and  so  on  till  all  the  earlier  rocks  are  included. 

This  view  of  the  case  is  rendered  more  probable  from  a  fact  which 
may  be  learnt  by  examining  the  sections  appended  to  this  report, 
(Plates  XVII.  and  XVIII.)  that  the  prevailing  dip  of  the  rocks  in 
Massachusetts  is  towards  the  east.  Why  then,  it  may  be  asked,  is 
there  any  more  difficulty  in  regarding  the  rocks  of  Berkshire  valley 
as  resting  unconformably  on  the  older  strata,  than  there  is  in  respect 
to  the  new  red  sandstone  of  the  Connecticut  valley,  which  has  an 
easterly  dip,  like  the  subjacent  rocks  ?  The  very  great  difference  of 
mineral  character,  between  the  newer  and  the  older  rocks  of  the  latter 
valley,  is  one  reason  why  we  do  not  hesitate  at  all  to  regard  the  newer 
as  unconformable  to  the  older:  whereas  in  Berkshire,  all  the 
rocks  appear  to  belong  to  the  oldest  class  ;  that  is,  they  are  highly 
crystalline  and  destitute  of  organic  remains.  And  then  the  difference 
of  inclination  between  the  varieties  of  the  rocks  in  Berkshire  valley, 
is  much  less  than  in  the  valley  of  the  Connecticut.  Nevertheless,  he 
must  be  a  poor  geologist,  who  does  not  know  that  there  is  often  far 
greater  difference  in  position  and  mineral  character  between  many 
members  of  the  primitive  class,  than  between  some  members  of  that 
class  and  others  of  the  transition,  or  even  of  the  secondary  class.  So 
that  the  apparently  primitive  character  of  the  rocks  of  Berkshire 
valley,  is  but  a  feeble  objection  against  their  resting  unconformably 
on  those  of  Hoosac  mountain. 

The  greatest  difficulty  which  I  find  in  the  way  of  admitting  the 
hypothesis  above  suggested,  lies  in  the  fact,  that  the  change  from  the 
older  to  the  newer  rocks,  as  one  proceeds  westerly  across  Berkshire 
county,  seems  to  be  gradual :  whereas  on  this  hypothesis,  we  should 
suppose,  that  since  the  rocks  dip  to  the  east,  the  oldest  members  of  a 
series  ought  to  be  found  on  the  western  margin  of  the  several  sup- 
posed basins ;  and  that  the  change  ought  to  be  sudden  and  great  in 
passing  into  the  basin  next  west.  But  so  different  does  the  limestone 
of  the  western  part  of  Berkshire  appear  from  that  in  the  eastern  part, 


300  Scientific  Geology. 

that  Mr.  Eaton  proposes  to  give  the  two  varieties  distinct  names, 
founded  entirely  on  their  mineral  characters,  that  in  the  eastern 
part  being  decidedly  the  oldest.  I  think,  however,  that  in  con- 
sidering this  question,  we  ought  to  leave  out  of  the  account  every 
bed  of  limestone  occurring  in  the  gneiss  and  mica  slate  of  the 
Hoosac  range ;  since  this  is  unquestionably  the  oldest  of  the  saccharine 
limestone.  And  perhaps  the  remaining  portions  of  this  rock  may  be 
found  to  belong  to  a  single  deposit.  At  any  rate,  I  regard  it  as  prema- 
ture to  assign  a  distinct  name  to  any  part  of  this  limestone  range,  until 
one  part  can  be  proved  to  have  a  different  position,  in  relation  to  other 
rocks,  from  the  other.  For  after  what  Dr.  Maccullock  has  written 
on  this  subject,  in  his  Geology  of  the  Western  Islands,  and  in  his  Sys- 
tem of  Geology,  it  seems  to  me  evident  that  mineral  characters  alone 
can  rarely  determine  even  the  class  to  which  limestone  belongs. 

Notwithstanding  the  difficulties  which  I  have  suggested  to  the  hy- 
pothesis under  consideration,  I  know  of  no  better  explanation  of  this 
anomalous  case.  I  am  sustained  in  this  opinion  by  that  of  Dr.  Em- 
mons,  of  Williams  College,  whose  acuteness  of  observation  and  ac- 
curacy of  discrimination  in  the  various  departments  of  natural  his- 
tory, are  well  known.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  either  he,  or  Prof. 
Dewey,  whose  local  situations  and  geological  experience  give  them 
great  facilities  for  examining  the  point,  will  ascertain  the  true  state 
of  the  case,  and  thus  solve  an  interesting  geological  problem.  Since 
my  attention  has  been  called  to  it,  I  have  not  felt  justified  by  my  com- 
mission in  devoting  the  time  and  expense  requisite  to  its  solution : 
since  the  examinations  would  delay  this  Report  another  year. 

The  Berkshire  limestone  passes  through  numerous  gradations  of 
texture  and  color,  from  the  snow  white,  coarsely  granular  and  crys- 
talline variety  in  Adams,  to  the  white  almost  sandy  dolomite  of  Shef- 
field, and  to  the  dark  gray  almost  compact  variety  in  Williamstown, 
and  to  the  variety  even  darker  of  West  Stockbridge.  The  specimens 
that  have  been  polished  (Nos.  428  to  442,)  will  show  the  principal 
varieties  of  marble  thence  derived.  The  clouded  varieties,  although 
very  rich,  are  less  esteemed  as  marbles,  I  believe,  than  the  snow 
white,  on  account  of  their  liability  to  be  shaky.  This  tendency  re- 
sults from  the  nature  of  these  varieties;  composed  as  they  seem  gen- 
erally to  be,  of  limestone  and  argillaceous  slate.  The  different  va- 
rieties are  frequently  interstratified  at  the  same  quarry. 

A  large  proportion  of  the  Berkshire  limestone,  especially  along 
its  western  borders,  is  the  magnesian.  In  Williamstown  this  occurs 


Flexible  Marble.  301 

crystallized,  or  as  rhomb  spar :  in  Bennington,  Adams,  Lee,  Pitts- 
field,  Stockbridge,  Great  Harrington,  New  Marlborough,  Sheffield, 
and  indeed  in  nearly  every  town  in  the  county,  it  occurs,  either 
coarsely  granular,  and  of  a  crystalline  structure ;  or  so  finely  granular 
as  to  be  pulverulent.  This  latter  variety,  which  is  genuine  dolomite, 
abounds  most  in  the  south  part  of  the  county,  especially  in  Sheffield, 
where,  according  to  Prof.  Dewey,  it  is  sometimes  fetid.  In  Canaan  in 
Connecticut,  which  lies  contiguous  to  Sheffield,  this  dolomite,  which 
is  of  a  snowy  whiteness,  disintegrates  abundantly ;  leaving  in  many 
places,  loose  crystals  of  white  augite  and  tremolite,  which  have  fallen 
out.  In  other  places,  as  in  Stockbridge,  it  is  of  a  gray  color. 

This  appears  to  be  the  oldest  variety  of  magnesian  carbonate  of 
lime  that  has  been  found ;  corresponding  to  that  described  by  Beu- 
dant,  as  occurring  in  St.  Gothard,  interstratified  with  mica  slate.* 

A  considerable  proportion  of  the  limestone  in  West  Stockbridge, 
Lanesborough,  and  New  Ashford,  is  flexible  and  elastic.  Slabs 
of  it  a  few  feet  long,  and  from  one  to  two  inches  thick,  show 
these  properties  very  distinctly  by  supporting  the  ends,  especially  if 
they  are  thoroughly  wet.  Generally  the  grain  of  this  variety  is 
coarse  and  the  structure  rather  loose ;  though  sometimes  it  is  fine 
grained.  Usually  it  is  white,  slightly  tinged  with  red ;  but  some- 
times gray  and  dark  colored.  According  to  Prof.  Dewey,  it  is  the 
common,  and  not  a  magnesian  carbonate.  The  slab  in  the  collection 
(No.  501)  is  from  New  Ashford;  where  it  is  abundant.  Its  peculiar 
properties  seem  to  depend  upon  the  agency  of  water  :  and  there  are 
numerous  facts  that  render  it  probable,  that  many  of  the  rocks  in  the 
interior  of  the  earth  are  rendered  soft  and  flexible  by  this  same 
agent :  so  that  although  marble  and  sandstone  that  will  retain  their 
flexibility  after  being  quarried,  are  rare,  yet  probably  deep  in  the 
earth's  crust  they  are  abundant. 

The  non-magnesian  as  well  as  the  magnesian  carbonate  of  lime 
in  this  county,  is  often  fetid.  In  Stockbridge,  this  is  sometimes  the 
case  with  that  which  is  white  and  coarsely  granular :  in  Williams- 
town,  this  variety  is  dark  colored  and  fine  grained,  and  in  Benning- 
ton, it  is  nearly  black. 

The  origin  of  the  fetid  odor  in  limestone,  quartz,  &c.  has  been  va- 
riously explained.  The  natural  explanation  imputes  it  to  animal 
matter,  which  has  been  imprisoned  since  the  original  formation  of 

*  Mineralogic,  Tom.  1,  p.  592. 


302 


Scientific  Geology. 


the  rock  ;  and  which  is  liberated  in  a  gaseous  form  by  friction  or  a 
blow.  The  odor  is  commonly  said  to  be  that  of  sulphuretted  hydro- 
gen; though  I  confess  I  do  not  perceive  much  resemblance.  But 
even  if  this  be  the  case,  putrescent  animal  matter  would  furnish  this 
gas  abundantly.  And  if  we  adopt  the  opinion  maintained  by  some 
very  able  geologists,  that  all,  or  nearly  all  limestones  were  produced 
from  living  beings,  we  can  easily  understand  whence  this  animal 
matter  proceeded. 

In  general  the  strata  of  the  Berkshire  limestone  have  a  dip  towards 
the  east,  between  15°  and  30°.  In  some  instances  it  is  greater  ;  and 
Prof.  Dewey,  from  whose  account  of  the  Geology  of  Berkshire,  in 
the  American  Journal  of  Science,  I  have  derived  much  assistance, 
says,  that  at  the  base  of  Saddle  mountain,  on  the  northwest  side,  some 
of  the  limestone  dips  to  the  west,  and  some  is  perpendicular,  although 
the  prevailing  dip  is  to  the  east.  He  has  given  also,  in  the  same 
work,  a  drawing  and  description  of  a  singular  conformation  of  the 
limestone  strata  near  the  College  in  Williamstown.*  Not  improba- 
bly this  is  only  an  example  of  a  concretionary  structure  on  a  large 
scale;  though  possibly  it  might  have  resulted  from  mechanical  agen- 
cies in  early  times. 

I  have  never  seen  either  a  mass  of  granite  or  of  trap,  or  any  other 
unstratified  rock,  in  contact  with  this  limestone ;  though  not  improba- 
bly such  junctions  may  be  found.  The  following  is  a  sketch  of  the 
shifting  of  a  vein  of  white  carbonate  of  lime,  in  a  slab  of  light  gray- 
marble,  five  feet  long  and  three  feet  wide,  taken  from  a  quarry  in 


New  Ashford.  a,  a,  is  the  vein  of  the  carbonate  of  lime,  and  d  d,  a 
somewhat  wedge  shaped  mass  of  dark  gray  limestone,  five  inches 
wide  at  its  base,  which  is  twice  cut  off,  once  by  each  separate  portion 

*  Vol.  9.  p.  19. 


Limestone.  303 

of  the  vein.  At  present  there  is  no  seam  at  all  in  the  slab,  and  ap- 
parently it  would  not  break  more  easily  in  one  direction  than  in 
another.  As  to  the  strip  of  darker  limestone,  d  d,  there  is  no,  more 
difficulty  in  accounting  for  its  presence,  than  for  any  other  case  of 
close  union  between  different  varieties  of  a  rock.  But  if  we  suppose 
the  two  veins,  a,  a,  to  have  been  once  united  endwise,  it  is  extremely 
difficult  to  imagine  how  they  could  have  been  so  slidden  as  to  be 
brought  into  their  present  condition.  Dr.  Macculloch  has  described 
a  similar  case  of  disturbance  in  a  slab  of  marble  from  Ireland  in  the 
Transactions  of  the  Geological  Society.*  But  in  that  case  it  was  not 
difficult  to  imagine  how  the  fragments  of  the  vein,  by  a  series  of 
slides,  might  have  been  displaced  in  the  manner  exhibited  upon  his 
drawing.  In  the  present  case,  however,  I  despair  of  being  able  to 
explain  that  sort  of  double  echellon  movement,  by  which  both  the 
vein  and  the  dark  mass  of  limestone  have  been  displaced. 

I  am  not  aware  that  in  any  case  the  limestone  of  Berkshire  county 
forms  hills  of  any  considerable  altitude.  In  general  mica  slate, 
with  quartz  rock,  composes  the  peaks  and  ridges  so  striking  and 
sometimes  so  lofty,  in  the  great  valley  of  this  county.  Whether  the 
low  level  of  the  basset  edges  of  the  limestone  results  from  the  greater 
liability  of  this  rock  to  be  worn  away,  or  from  its  geological  posi- 
tion, I  am  not  prepared  to  say ;  though  inclined  to  refer  it  to  \he  lat- 
ter cause. 

In  general  the  limestone  under  consideration  retains  its  characters 
distinctly  to  the  very  line  of  junction  with  other  rocks.  But  not  un- 
frequently  the  two  rocks  are  intermixed  near  the  place  of  contact. 
The  dark  gray  limestones,  as  already  remarked,  appear  to  contain 
a  mixture  of  argillaceous  slate.  Frequently  we  find  scales  of  mica 
disseminated  in  the  limestones,  and  thin  layers  of  talc.  Where  the 
limestone  comes  in  contact  with  mica  slate,  in  Canaan,  Ct.  we  find  a 
mixture  in  almost  equal  proportions,  of  carbonate  of  lime,  mica,  and 
quartz.  (No.  456.) 

In  Stockbridge  and  the  south  part  of  Lee,  two  or  three  varieties  of 
limestone  occur  of  rather  a  peculiar  character.  The  most  abundant 
of  these  has  externally  a  dark  gray  color,  occasioned  by  one  or  two 
foreign  minerals,  which  do  not  decompose  so  rapidly  as  the  carbon- 
ate of  lime.  When  the  specimens  are  broken,  the  fresh  surface  is 

*  Vol.  4.  p.  393. 


304  Scientific  Geology. 

yellowish.  What  the  disseminated  minerals  are,  I  have  not  ascer- 
tained. From  the  general  aspect  of  this  rock  where  it  has  been 
weathered,  one  would  not  suspect  it  to  be  limestone;'  and  it  scarcely 
exhibits  any  traces  of  stratification.  (No.  454.)  On  the  east,  at  the 
village  of  South  Lee,  this  rock  is  succeeded  by  white  dolomite,  whose 
strata  dip  west  about  45°.  A  mile  farther  to  the  east,  they  are  per- 
pendicular. 

A  little  east  of  the  village  in  Stockbridge,  I  found  specimens  which 
contained  quartz  and  mica,  and  which  appeared  to  be  limestone  pass- 
ing into  mica  slate,  just  as  in  Canaan,  Ct.  (No.  458.)  The  same 
rock  I  found  in  the  east  part  of  Lanesborough.  (No.  457.) 

In  passing  from  West  Stockbridge  to  Chatham,  N.  Y.  we  find  the 
gray  limestone  traversed  by  innumerable  veins  of  white  quartz,  so 
that  the  mass  becomes  a  real  breccia.  (No.  453.)  This  rock  is  quite 
abundant  near  the  line  of  the  State.  As  we  pass  westerly  from  this 
line,  the  limestone  becomes  of  a  darker  color  and  rather  more  com- 
pact, and  alternates  with  bastard  mica  slate  and  argillaceous  slate. 
Frequently  this  limestone  is  traversed  by  numerous  veins  of  white 
calcareous  spar,  giving  it  a  striking  appearance.  (No.  453.)  It  is 
probably  interstratified  with  graywacke  slate  in  Renssalaer  and  Co- 
lumbia counties,  N.  Y. 

I  have  already  mentioned  the  crystallized  tremolites  afid  white  au- 
gite  found  in  the  dolomite  of  Canaan.  The  same  minerals  occur  in 
the  same  variety  of  rock  at  Muddy  Brook  in  Great  Barrington,  and 
in  New  Marlborough,  and  the  former  in  the  south  part  of  Lee  and  in 
Sheffield.  In  the  14th  vol.  of  the  American  Journal  of  Science,  I 
have  described  four  modifications  of  the  secondary  forms  of  the  au- 
gite  ;  and  Prof.  Dewey,  in  the  8th  vol.  of  the  same  Journal,  mentions 
a  fifth.  In  Great  Barrington,  the  tremolite  is  found  in  beautiful 
bladed  crystals.  This  mineral  is  often  delicately  fibrous,  and  some- 
times radiated.  Indeed,  all  the  varieties  are  found  at  these  localities. 
In  Sheffield  the  fibres  are  sometimes  more  than  two  feet  long,  and  em- 
brace crystals  of  iron  pyrites.  These  fibrous  masses  are  mistaken 
for  petrified  wood ;  to  which,  indeed,  they  bear  a  striking  resem- 
blance. 

Carbonate  of  lime  is  often  found  crystallized  in  this  rock  in  ta- 
bular, lenticular,  &c.  crystals.  It  is  also  more  frequently  found  la- 
minated. The  agaric  mineral,  it  is  said,  is  found  in  a  cave  in  West 
Stockbridge.  Concreted  carbonate  of  lime  occurs  in  the  different 


Blanford  Limestone.  305 

caverns  that  have  been  described  in  the  second  part  of  this   report. 
Some  of  the  springs  in  Williamstown  deposite  calcareous  tufa. 

According-  to  Cleaveland's  Mineralogy,  yellow  tourmaline  has 
been  found  in  Dalton,  near  the  Housatonic,  in  granular  limestone. 

Blanford  Limestone. 

After  the  publication  of  the  first  edition  of  the  first  part  of  my  Re- 
port, Mr.  Simeon  ShurtlefF  of  Blanford  discovered  a  bed  of  serpen- 
tine in  the  northwest  part  of  that  town,  and  in  the  vicinity,  a  bed  of 
limestone.  The  former  rock  will  be  described  in  another  connection. 
The  latter  will  be  noticed  here.  Since  their  discovery,  I  have  had 
opportunity  to  examine  them  personally:  but  for  the  specimens  in 
the  collection,  I  am  indebted  to  Mr.  Shurtleff 

The  bed  of  serpentine  is  about  four  miles  northwest  of  Blanford 
meeting  house,  on  the  northeast  side  of  a  pond.  Immediately  on  the 
west  it  is  succeeded  by  hornblende  slate,  which  is  only  a  few  rods 
wide,  and  then  succeeds  granitic  gneiss.  The  limestone  is  about  one 
mile  south  of  the  serpentine,  and  about  the  same  distance  as  the  ser- 
pentine, east  of  the  granitic  gneiss  :  and  although  no  hornblende  slate 
appears  between  them,  at  the  surface,  probably  it  exists  there.  In- 
deed, no  rock  except  diluvium  is  seen  in  place  around  the  limestone. 
It  shows  itself  at  the  surface  only  over  a  space  whose  diameter  is 
about  a  rod.  Its  stratification  is  indistinct ;  though  there  is  an  ap- 
pearance of  parallel  division,  corresponding  to  a  plane  which  runs  east 
and  west,  and  dips  south  about  45°. 

This  limestone  is  coarsely  granular,  white,  and  crystalline ;  though 
it  is  mixed  with  a  foreign  mineral,  perhaps  augite,  in  considerable 
quantity;  and  this  may  prevent  its  being  profitably  reduced  to  quick- 
lime. It  is  well  worth  the  trial,  however,  in  a  region  where  no  lime 
stone  is  found.  (Nos.  477,  478.) 

No.  476  was  broken  from  a  coarsely  granular  limestone  bowlder 
near  the  meeting  house  in  Blanford.  It  contains  numerous  plates 
of  graphite  disseminated  through  the  mass,  and  much  resembles 
specimens  that  I  have  seen  from  the  shores  of  lake  Champlain  :  Nor 
should  I  think  it  strange,  if  it  should  appear  that  this  bowlder  was 
brought  from  thence  by  the  diluvial  current,  which,  as  I  have  shown 
in  -another  place,  once  swept  over  the  western  part  of  the  State  from 
the  northwest. 

Micaceous  Limestone. 

This  rock  might  very  properly  be  regarded  as  a  variety  of  mica 
slate :  for  usually  it  contains  both  mica  and  quartz,  the  latter  always  ; 
39 


306  Scientific  Geology. 

and  much  of  it  is  merely  mica  slate  which  takes  carbonate  of  lime 
into  its  composition.  When  the  carbonate  is  in  small  proportion,  the 
schistose  structure  of  the  mica  slate  remains :  but  when  the  mica 
nearly  disappears,  the  slaty  structure  also  vanishes,  though  still  the 
rock  is  stratified ;  the  dip  and  direction  conforming  to  those  of  the 
mica  slate.  It  forms  -numerous  beds  in  the  extensive  tract  of  mica 
slate  on  the  western  slope  of  the  valley  of  the  Connecticut ;  espe- 
cially along  the  eastern  border  of  the  mica  slate,  from  Whately  north- 
wards. Several  beds  are  marked  on  the  map,  merely  to  indicate  that 
they  are  numerous,  but  without  any  intention  of  giving  them  their 
true  situation  and  extent.  In  some  places,  as  in  Whately,  these  beds 
occupy  half  the  surface ;  but  in  general  the  mica  slate  greatly  pre- 
dominates, and  for  miles  the  limestone  disappears.  (Nos.  459  to  467.) 

The  three  varieties  of  this  limestone  from  Conway  and  Whately, 
mentioned  in  the  first  part  of  this  report  as  having  been  analysed, 
contain  respectively  58,  67,  and  78  per  cent,  of  carbonate  of  lime. 
More  recently  I  have  examined  in  the  same  manner  a  specimen  from 
Southampton,  containing  only  40  per  cent.  Another  specimen  from 
Williamsburg,  from  a  bowlder  to  which  was  attached  a  mass  of  mi- 
ca slate,  yielded  63  per  cent,  of  the  carbonate  of  lime.  It  also  con- 
tained magnesia,  since  its  solution  in  nitric^ acid  was  milky.  It  is, 
however,  doubtful  whether  this  specimen,  (Nos.  468,  469,)  ought  to 
be  connected  with  the  micaceous  limestone  under  consideration. 

The  carbonate  of  lime  in  this  rock  is  very  liable  to  be  separated 
from  the  mica  and  silex  by  the  action  of  air  and  moisture,  so  as  to 
leave  the  surface  of  the  rock  coated  over  with  a  gray  porous  mass, 
sometimes  even  several  inches  thick.  (No.  467.) 

This  rock  is  frequently  traversed  by  veins  of  granite.  (No.  465.) 
The  tortuosities  of  some  of  these  veins  is  remarkable ;  of  which  ex- 
amples will  be  given  when  I  come  to  describe  granite.  I  have  not 
generally  observed  any  very  striking  effects  produced  upon  the  lime- 
stone by  its  proximity  to  granite.  In  one  case,  however,  if  I  mistake 
not,  a  large  quantity  of  argentine  has  been  produced  by  the  action  of 
the  granite  on  the  limestone.  In  a  very  wild  and  unfrequented  spot 
in  the  northeast  part  of  West  Hampton,  (not  in  the  south  part  of 
Williamsburg,  as  all  the  authorities  state,)  a  huge  mass  of  coarse 
granite  lies  in  a  valley,  apparently  in  situ.  At  its  southern  extrem- 
ity, which  is  represented  on  the  following  sketch,  and  which  is  an 
uneven  perpendicular  wall  from  10  to  15  feet  high,  project  the  edges 
of  schistose  rocks ;  most  of  which  is  mica  slate,  but  a  part  is  mica- 


Origin  of  Argentine. 


307 


ceous  limestone.  These  rocks  appear  to  be  merely  the  fragments 
which  adhered  to  the  granite,  when  it  was  raised  through  the  slates,  or 
when  these  were  torn  off  from  the  granite.  Most  of  the  layers  are 
perpendicular  :  but  some  of  them  towards  the  eastern  side,  are  much 
bent  and  become  almost  horizontal.  Here  the  argentine,  a  a,  appears, 
lying  for  the  most  part  between  the  slate  and  the  granite ;  penetrating 
both  rocks,  indeed,  a  short  distance,  but  not  forming  what  ought  to 
be  called  a  vein  in  either.  It  does  not  enter  the  granite,  as  far  as  I 
could  ascertain,  but  a  few  inches.  And  it  is  that  part  of  the  slate 
which  lies  in  the  vicinity  of  the  argentine  which  is  micaceous  lime- 
stone. 


Argentine  with  Mica  Slate  and  Granite :  West  Hampton. 

Now  my  hypothesis  is,  that  when  the  granite  was  protruded  into 
the  mica  slate  and  coarse  limestone,  while  in  a  melted  state,  its  heat 
by  decomposition  or  sublimation,  or  both,  forced  the  carbonate  of  lime 
into  the  cavities  that  were  produced  by  the  elevation  of  the  rocks, 
where  it  assumed  the  form  of  that  very  pure  variety  of  carbonate  of 
lime  called  argentine,  or  slate  spar.  Whether  its  intrusion  among 
the  sinuosities  of  mica  slate  caused  it  for  the  most  part  to  assume  a 
similar  structure,  I  do  not  undertake  to  decide.  Nor  do  I  feel  much 
confidence  in  any  part  of  this  hypothesis,  though  it  seems  to  me  wor- 
thy of  consideration. 

In  Vermont  limestone  is  found  among  the  layers  of  argillaceous 
slate.  Here  it  is  destitute  of  mica,  and  is  mixed  with  the  argillace- 
ous slate  in  such  proportion  as  scarcely  to  be  distinguished  from 
it,  except  by  its  effervescence  with  acids  :  yet  it  appears  to  be  closely 
allied  to  micaceous  limestone. 


308  Scientific  Geology. 

Limestone  of  Whitingham,  Vt. 

This  bed  of  limestone,  as  may  be  seen  by  the  map,  approaches 
nearly  or  quite  to  the  north  line  of  Massachusetts,  and  lies  near  the 
junction  of  a  range  of  talcose  slate  and  gneiss.  It  is  stratified,  and 
the  dip  is  not  far  from  30°  west,  the  direction  being  north  and  south. 
By  following  down  a  small  tributary  of  Deerfield  river,  which  has 
laid  bare  this  limestone  in  the  southwest  part  of  Whitingham,  a  good 
opportunity  is  afforded  for  examining  its  characters.  It  is  white 
and  decidedly  crystalline,  though  often  containing  bronze  colored 
mica,  and  sulphuret  of  molybdenum  in  small  plates.  I  found  associ- 
ated with  it,  also,  actynolite,  common  augite,  and  mussite.  Though 
a  mile  or  two  in  length,  the  breadth  of  the  bed  is  very  inconsiderable. 
Its  geological  associations  render  it  certain  that  this  is  one  of  the  old- 
est varieties  of  limestone. 

About  16  miles  north  of  this  bed,  at  the  iron  and  gold  mine  in 
Somerset,  is  a  very  elegant  variety  of  dolomite,  occurring  in  beds  in 
talcose  slate.  Some  of  it  exceedingly  resembles  the  purest  loaf  su- 
gar. (Nos.  483,  484.) 

Limestone  in  Bolton,  Boxborough,  Littleton,  Acton,  Carlisle,  and 
Chelmsford. 

The  geological  situation  of  these  limestone  masses  and  their  min- 
eral characters  are  so  similar,  that  one  description  will  embrace  them 
all.  They  all  correspond  to  the  description  which  Dr.  Macculloch 
gives  of  the  limestone  of  Tirey,  one  of  the  Western  Islands  of  Scot- 
land. "  It  is,"  says  he,  "  improperly  called  a  bed,  as  it  is  only  an 
irregular  rock  lying  among  the  gneiss  without  stratification  or  con- 
tinuity. In  this  respect  it  resembles  the  greater  number  of  primary 
limestones  found  in  gneiss  and  mica  slate,  and  may  be  considered  as 
a  large  nodule."*  It  will  be  seen  by  the  map  that  all  these  masses 
are  in  a  gneiss  formation,  which,  however,  often  passes  into  mica 
slate,  and  contains  numerous  protrusions  and  veins  of  granite.  The 
dip  and  direction  of  the  gneiss  surrounding  the  limestone  are  visible 
at  nearly  all  the  quarries  :  but  the  limestone  itself  rarely  exhibits  any 
distinct  marks  of  stratification.  And  as  every  one  of  these  localities 
contains  a  quarry,  a  good  opportunity  is  presented  for  examining  the 
structure  of  the  rocks. 

*  Western  Islands,  Vol.  1.  p.  48. 


Limestone  of  Bolton,  fyc.  309 

In  my  own  opinion,  there  can  be  little  doubt  that  this  want  of  strat- 
ification results  from  the  agency  of  granite.  At  any  rate,  if  this  be 
admitted  to  be  a  rock  of  igneous  origin,  its  contiguity  to  a  bed  of  lime- 
stone, while  yet  in  a  melted  condition,  will  explain  the  obliteration  in 
that  bed  of  the  stratified  structure  :  and  I  can  imagine  no  other  cause 
that  will  explain  it.  I  did  not  observe,  indeed,  the  contact  of  granite 
with  the  limestone,  except  at  the  principal,  or  north  quarry  in  Bolton. 
But  at  that  place  the  stratified  structure  Is  more  completely  destroyed 
than  at  any  other.  Yet  I  did  not  search  for  granite  in  the  vicinity  of 
the  other  masses  of  limestone,  as  my  attention  was  not  till  recently 
particularly  called  to  this  subject ;  and  probably  it  may  be  found  near 
most  of  them,  if  not  concealed  by  the  soil.  Or  if  not,  there  is  evi- 
dence that  gneiss  has  been  subject  to  a  degree  of  heat  little  inferior 
to  a  melting  heat. 

Nearly  all  the  limestone  at  these  quarries  is  coarsely  granular  and 
highly  crystalline.  It  is  almost  uniformly  fetid  also  ;  sometimes  so 
much  so  as  to  produce  nausea  when  struck,  in  a  stomach  of  much 
sensibility.  This  was  very  unexpected  to  me  in  limestone  of  such 
great  relative  age ;  the  fetid  limestones  of  Europe  being  almost  ex- 
clusively found  in  secondary  rocks. 

Although  but  a  single  bed  of  limestone  is  marked  upon  the  map  in 
each  of  the  towns  mentioned  above,  yet  in  most  of  them  there  are 
several ;  some  of  them  one  or  two  miles  distant  from  one  another. 
In  Bolton  are  two,  in  Boxborough  one,  in  Littleton  three,  in  Acton 
one,  in  Carlisle  two  or  three,  and  in  Chelmsford  two  or  three.  Not 
improbably  others  exist  in  the  neighboring  towns,  which  escaped  my 
notice. 

The  simple  minerals  imbedded  in  this  limestone  are  numerous  and 
interesting.  In  general,  specimens  from  the  different  localities  can- 
not be  distinguished ;  though  particular  minerals  are  more  perfectly 
developed  at  one  place  than  at  others ;  and  one  or  two,  perhaps,  are 
found  only  at  one  quarry.  The  most  common  and  abundant  mineral 
is  scapolite.  It  occurs  both  crystallized  and  compact ;  and  at  all  the 
localities  above  referred  to.  The  crystallized  variety  is  most  abun- 
dant at  Bolton,  Boxborough,  CheJmsford,  and  Littleton ;  particularly 
at  the  two  first  named  places.  The  crystals  are  sometimes  transpar- 
ent, more  commonly  opaque  and  white,  having  begun  to  decompose. 
Sometimes  the  crystal  exhibits  the  primary  form,  or  a  right  square 
prism,  acuminated  by  four  planes  set  on  the  lateral  planes.  More 
commonly,  however,  the  lateral  edges  are  slightly  truncated.  Some 


310  Scientific  Geology. 

of  these  crystals  are  one  or  even  two  inches  in  diameter;  though  in 
such  cases  generally  imperfect.  Often  this  mineral  is  compact,  and 
the  color  either  white  or  lilac  red.  This  red  color,  however,  occurs 
also  in  that  which  exhibits  an  aggregation  of  prisms.  Bolton  and 
Boxborough  yield  an  abundance  of  this  beautiful  variety. 

It  is  probable  that  the  mineral  from  Bolton  described  by  Mr. 
Brooke,  under  the  name  of  Nuttallite,  is  only  a  variety  of  scapolite. 

Augite,  actynolite,  pargasite,  and  radiated,  fibrous,  and  brown  horn- 
blende, are  among  the  minerals  found  in  this  limestone;  the  two  first 
at  all  the  localities,  the  third  at  Carlisle  and  Boxborough ;  and  the 
fourth,  according  to  Mr.  Nuttall,  at  Bolton. 

Phosphate  of  lime,  sometimes  in  hexahedral  crystals,  but  more 
commonly  massive,  is  found  at  Bolton,  Boxborough,  and  Littleton ; 
usually  in  scapolite.  Its  colors  are  green  and  purple. 

Spinelle,  dark  green  and  grayish  blue,  occurs  at  Bolton,  Boxbor- 
ough, and  Acton,  both  massive  and  in  regular  octahedra.  Some  of 
the  specimens  at  Boxborough,  incline  to  rose  red ;  and  in  the  opinion 
of  Mr.  Nuttall,  are  the  genuine  spinel! e  ruby. 

Genuine  petalite,  (from  which  lithia  has  been  obtained,)  exists  at 
the  south  quarry  at  Bolton,  associated  with  the  scapolite. 

At  Chelmsford  small  masses  of  black  serpentine  occur  in  the  lime- 
stone, and  at  Littleton  of  a  lively  green  colour. 

At  Carlisle,  close  by  the  turnpike  from  Concord  to  Groton,  Prof. 
Webster  discovered  a  few  years  since,  a  splendid  garnet,  which  is 
probably  a  cinnamon  stone.  The  specimens  which  can  now  be  ob- 
tained, give  but  a  poor  idea  of  the  richness  of  some  of  those  which 
were  first  procured.  Probably  extensive  exploration  might  bring  to 
light  finer  specimens.  The  same  mineral  is  found  at  Boxborough. 

At  Bolton  rhomb  spar  occurs :  and  both  there  and  at  Boxborough, 
a  beautiful  variety  of  flesh  colored  calcareous  spar  in  foliated  masses. 

At  Bolton,  also,  a  new  mineral  has  been  discovered,  which  Dr. 
Thomson  has  denominated  from  its  chemical  composition,  Bisilicate 
of  Magnesia;  and  Mr.  Shepard,  with  reference  to  its  locality,  calls  it 
Boltonite*  It  occurs  in  foliated  masses  in  the  limestone.  (Nos.  521, 
522.) 

In  the  same  place,  sphene,  or  silico-calcareous  oxide  of  titanium  is 
not  an  uncommon  mineral  at  the  south  quarry  —  in  distinct  crystals. 
Tremolite,  also,  is  said  to  occur  there  in  fibrous  masses  :  also  gado- 

*  Shcpard's  Mineralogy,  Vol.  1.  p.  232. 


Limestone  in  Smithfield,  fyc.  311 

linite,  according  to  Professor  Webster :  also  talc  in  veins  at  Bolton 
as  well  as  at  Littleton. 

Very  delicate  and  beautiful  amianthus  is  found  in  veins  in  the 
limestone,  about  two  miles  south  west  of  the  centre  of  Chelmsford. 
The  fibres  are  sometimes  two  or  three  inches  long,  and  resemble  the 
finest  and  most  beautiful  white  silk.  The  same  mineral  in  small 
quantities  is  found  at  Bolton.  (Nos.  523,  524.) 

Limestone  in  Smithfield,  R.  I. 

There  are  two  principal  beds  of  this  rock,  a  little  more  than  a  mile 
apart;  the  most  easterly  one,  half  a  mile  from  Blackstone  river, 
called  the  Dexter  rock,  and  the  other,  the  Harris  rock.  I  have  ex- 
amined only  the  latter  ;  and  this  occurs  in  that  variety  of  hornblende 
slate,  which  the  Werenians  call  greenstone  slate,  and  transition  or 
primitive  greenstone.  The  slaty  structure  of  a  part  of  the  rock  is 
quite  obvious,  though  to  a  cursory  observer,  most  of  the  mass  resem- 
bles very  much  secondary  greenstone.  I  am  satisfied  that  the  Dex- 
ter rock  occurs  in  the  same  slate,  which,  in  fact,  appears  to  be  the 
talco-chloritic  slate  of  that  region,  passing  into  hornblende  slate. 
Though  the  parallel  division  of  the  hornblende  slate  be  evident,  yet 
the  limestone  is  destitute  of  stratification  ;  forming  an  irregular  mass, 
penetrated  by  projections  from  the  slate.  It  is  white  and  distinctly, 
though  not  very  coarsely  granular  and  crystalline.  Some  of  it  is  do- 
lomite. (Nos.  498  to  500.)  It  may  be,  and  has  been  wrought  as  mar- 
ble ;  though  it  is  difficult  to  obtain  large  blocks  without  fissures. 
Sometimes  it  is  clouded.  (No.  497.) 

The  imbedded  minerals  in  this  limestone  are,  with  few  exceptions, 
very  different  from  those  just  described  in  the  limestone  beds  in 
gneiss  in  Massachusetts.  In  the  Smithfield  rock,  talc  is  one  of  the 
most  abundant  of  the  minerals,  and  it  is  often  of  a  rich  silvery  white 
color,  associated  with  large  prisms  of  rhomb  and  calcareous  spar. 
Some  of  the  nacrite  found  at  the  Dexter  rock  is  beautiful.  Nephrite 
exists  here,  also,  in  veins  and  nodules :  also  limpid  quartz  in  crys- 
tals ;  calcareous  and  brown  spar,  tremolite  and  asbestus. 

If,  as  seems  to  me  extremely  probable,  the  hornblende  rock  in 
which  this  limestone  occurs,  has  been  subjected  to  the  action  of 
powerful  heat,  we  have  a  cause  for  the  want  of  stratification  in  the 
latter.  And  the  occurrence  of  immense  quantities  of  sienitic  granite 
in  the  vicinity,  shows  us  whence  the  heat  might  have  been  derived. 


3 1 2  Scientific  Geology. 

Limestone  of  Stoneham  and  Newbury. 

In  both  these  places  the  limestone  is  in  irregular  unstratified  masses 
in  sienite,  except  that  the  most  northerly  bed  in  Newbury  is  in  green- 
stone. For  the  most  part,  the  limestone  is  either  finely  granular,  or 
compact,  and  white.  That  at  Stoneham  is  translucent  on  the  edges  ; 
(No.  496.)  and  were  it  not  for  the  numerous  seams  and  cracks  in  it, 
would  prove  a  very  fine  article  for  statuary  and  other  ornamental 
purposes.  Two  or  three  quarries  have  been  opened  at  each  of  these 
localities,  only  a  few  rods  apart ;  but  they  are  now  abandoned.  At 
Newbury,  the  great  amount  of  foreign  minerals  present  renders  tfye 
limestone  of  little  value,  even  for  the  production  of  quicklime. 

Among  these  minerals  precious  and  common  serpentine  predom- 
inate :  and  these  being  disseminated  in  the  granular  limestone,  form 
the  ophicalce  grenue  of  Brongniart,*  which  he  mentions  as  occurring 
at  Newbury. f  Specimens  of  this  variety  may  be  seen  among  those 
that  are  polished  in  the  collection  ;  (Nos.  896  to  899,)  although  the 
geological  position  of  this  rock,  if  I  have  not  mistaken  it,  is  not 
above  organic  relics  (epizo'ique)  as  that  author  supposes  it  com- 
monly is. 

Another  beautiful  mineral,  often  running  in  veins  through  the 
ophicalce  grenue,  or  the  serpentine,  varying  in  width  from  a  mere 
line  to  half  an  inch,  is  green  amianthus.  When  a  specimen  is 
newly  fractured,  this  mineral  presents  a  peculiarly  rich  appearance. 
Its  color  is  grass  green  and  yellowish  green.  (No.  872.)  Common 
asbestus  occurs. in  the  same  situation. 

Fibrous  limestone,  or  satin  spar,  occurs  in  the  same  connection. 
The  fibres  are  sometimes  four  or  five  inches  long,  though  the  veins 
of  this  mineral  are  quite  thin. 

Tremolite  in  radiated  masses  is  not  uncommon  in  this  limestone. 
Epidote  also  occurs  here  in  crystals ;  and  white  and  gray  varieties 
of  compact  feldspar.  Associated  with  the  tremolite  and  epidote,  is 
found  massive  garnet. 

The  limestone  at  Stoneham  is  not  so  much  mixed  with  other  min- 
erals as  at  Newbury.  It  occasionally,  however,  contains  nephrite. 
This  mineral  melts  with  great  facility  before  the  oxy-hydrogen  blow- 
pipe, and  without  difficulty  before  the  common  blowpipe,  into  a  yel- 
lowish slag  or  scoria.  Another  grayish  green  mineral  occurs  in 

*  Classification  des  Roches,  p.  96. 
t  Tableau  des  Terrains,  &c.  p.  325. 


Origin  of  Limestone.  313 

nodules  in  the  limestone,  and  might  easily  be  mistaken  for  the  sili- 
ceous infusible  mineral  that  has  been  described  by  many  writers  un- 
der the  name  of  hornstone.  But  it  melts  with  ebullition,  not  'only 
before  the  compound,  but  also  the  common  blowpipe,  into  a  shining 
black  enamel.  I  suspect  that  epidote  enters  largely  into  its  compo- 
sition. (No.  507.)  It  is  probably  the  allochroite,  mentioned  by  Prof. 
Webster  in  the  Boston  Journal  of  Philosophy,  as  occurring  at 
Stoneham. 

I  am  not  aware  that  limestone  has  been  found  in  other  parts  of  the 
world,  entirely  embraced  in  sienite ;  which  is  the  case  at  Stoneham 
and  Newbury,  unless  I  am  mistaken.  At  the  time  I  examined  these 
localities,  I  was  not  aware  of  the  importance  of  this  fact,  and  might 
have  been  deceived.  But  I  saw  no  rock  in  the  vicinity  of  the  quar- 
ries, but  sienite  :  although,  as  I  shall  have  occasion  hereafter  to  ob- 
serve, sometimes  the  sienite  north  of  Boston  possesses  a  limited  slaty 
structure,  forming  a  kind  of  hornblende  slate,  or  greenstone  slate : 
the  unmelted  remnants,  perhaps,  of  the  rocks  out  of  which  the  sienite 
was  formed.  That  this  rock  had  an  igneous  origin,  seems  to  be  at 
this  day  the  prevailing  opinion  of  geologists.  And  admitting  this,  it 
is  easy  to  see  why  the  beds  of  limestone,  that  have  been  described 
above,  are  destitute  of  stratification. 


Origin  of  Limestone. 

Crystallized  carbonate  of  lime,  as  we  are  taught  by  chemistry, 
may  be  produced  either  by  precipitation  from  aqueous  solution,  or 
by  the  melting  of  uncrystallized  masses  of  this  substance  under 
strong  pressure :  and  probably  in  both  these  ways  are  we  to  account 
for  the  existence  of  primary  limestone.  Where  this  rock  is  in  reg- 
ular strata,  and  no  unstratified  rocks  in  the  vicinity,  it  is  reasonable 
to  refer  its  origin  to  aqueous  solution  and  crystallization.  But  where 
there  is  evidence  of  the  agency  of  heat,  long  continued,  in  the  irreg- 
ular position  and  unstratified  structure  of  the  limestone,  and  the  jux- 
taposition of  granite,  trap,  &c. ;  it  is  not  improbable  that  limestones 
deposited  from  water  or  animals,  such  as  chalk,  marl,  compact  lime- 
stone, and  coral  reefs,  may  have  been  melted  and  subsequently  crys- 
tallized. 

Thus  far  most  geologists  agree.  But  another  point  divides  them ; 
viz.  whether  all  limestones  have  originated  in  organized  substances? 
•  40 


314  Scientific  Geology. 

Dr.  Macculloch*  leans  to  the  affirmative :  but  another  able  geologist, 
Mr.  Lyell,f  defends  the  negative.  Mr.  Lyell,  however,  does  not  object 
to  the  idea  that  "  every  particle  of  lime  that  now  enters  into  the  crust 
of  the  globe,  may  possibly  in  its  turn  have  been  subservient  to  the 
purposes  of  life* by  entering  into  the  composition  of  organized  bo- 
dies;" but  to  the  opinion  that  "  lime  may  be  an  animal  product  com- 
bined by  the  powers  of  vitality  from  some  simple  elements."  Dr. 
Macculloch  thinks  his  views  of  the  subject  rendered  probable,  by  the 
great  increase  of  calcareous  strata  the  higher  we  rise  in  the  series  of 
formations,  and  by  the  great  extent  of  existing  ,coral  reefs.  But  Mr. 
Lyell  says  that  in  ponds  or  lakes,  which  are  not  fed  by  springs  con- 
taining carbonate  of  lime  in  solution,  there  will  be  no  accumulation 
of  shells  producing  tufa  and  shell  marl ;  one  race  of  animals  fur- 
nishing by  their  decomposition  only  calcareous  matter  enough  to  sup- 
ply the  next  generation  ;  and  hence  he  infers  that  the  animals  do  not 
secrete  lime.  And  he  explains  the  greater  quantity  of  calcareous 
matter  in  the  newer  strata,  by  the  constant  transfer  of  this  matter 
from  the  inferior  to  the  superior  rocks  by  internal  heat  and  springs. 

But  however  this  point  may  be  decided,  it  is  certainly  an  inter- 
esting thought  that  all  existing  limestone  may  have  once  formed  a 
part  of  organized  beings.  That  much  of  it  in  the  secondary  rocks 
did  enter  into  the  composition  of  animals,  is  obvious  from  the  im- 
mense quantity  of  their  remains  now  found  in  such  rocks.  But  why 
are  the  primary  rocks  destitute  of  them  ?  Dr.  Macculloch  says  that 
he  has  found  organic  remains  in  one  instance,  "in  a  calcareous  quartz 
rock  situated  beneath  gneiss."  But  he  has  also  shown  conclusively 
that  limestones  full  of  organic  remains,  when  in  contact  with  trap, 
are  converted  into  highly  crystalline  masses,  and  the  organic  remains 
entirely  obliterated  for  a  certain  distance  from  the  trap.  Such  a 
change  he  supposes  may  have  been  undergone  by  all  the  primary 
limestones. 

It  is  well  known  that  calcareous  soils  are  of  all  others  most  fertile. 
Now  if  it  be  true  that  the  quantity  of  limestone  on  the  globe  is  in- 
creasing, it  will  follow  that  there  is  a  progressive  increase  of  fertility. 
Such  a  view  would  certainly  accord  'with  our  ideas  of  the  Divine 
beneficence :  but  we  should  not  forget  the  danger  of  hasty  inferences 
on  such  subjects. 

*  System  of  Geology,  vol.  1.  p.  220. 

t  Principles  of  Geology,  vol.  2.  p.  298.     London,  1832. 


Scapolite  Rock.  315 

8.       SCAPOLITE  ROCK. 

Associated  with  the  limestone  and  mica  slate  of  Berkshire  County, 
which  extend  into  Canaan,  Ct.,  extensive  beds  or  strata  occur,  com- 
posed essentially  of  what  I  suppose  to  be  compact  scapolite.  I  have 
traced  these  strata  in  the  town  of  Canaan,  from  six  to  eight  miles  in 
length,  and  in  some  places  from  100  to  150  rods  in  breadth.  And  I 
have  no  reason  to  doubt  but  they  extend  much  farther  in  length ; 
probably  into  Massachusetts  on  the  north ;  and  I  cannot  judge  how 
far  south.  No  one,  it  seems  to  me,  could  regard  masses  of  such  ex- 
tent and  regularly  stratified,  only  as  a  simple  mineral.  And  if  I  am 
not  mistaken  as  to  its  nature,  there  can  be  no  doubt  it  is  a  new  rock ; 
since  in  other  quarters  of  the  globe,  scapolite  is  rare  even  as  a  min- 
eral. I  thought  at  first  that  it  might  be  a  compact  variety  of  white 
augite ;  since  this  mineral  does  occur  in  connection  with  the  same 
limestone.  But  the  rock  fuses  with  intumescence  and  without  diffi- 
culty into  a  white  enamel:  whereas  I  could  not  melt  the  augite  from 
the  same  locality.  The  following  are  all  the  varieties  of  this  rock 
which  have  yet  fallen  under  my  notice. 

1.  Masses  exhibiting  Aggregations  of  imperfect  Prisms  of  Scapo- 
lite ;  too  imperfect,  however,  to  determine  their  form,  though  the  foli- 
ated structure  is  quite  obvious.     This  rock  is  liable  to  partial  decom- 
position at  its  surface.     I  have  found  it  only  in  bowlders.  (No.  540.) 

2.  Compact  Gray  Scapolite,  exhibiting  a  splintery  fracture.     This 
is  the  most  common  variety.     It  is  very  perfectly  stratified  in  most 
instances,  the  strata  varying  in  width  from  half  an  inch  to  a  foot  or 
more.     Generally  the  surface  is  partially  decomposed  to  the  depth  of 
more  than  half  an  inch,  resembling  some  varieties  of  anygdaloid,  or 
variolite.     On  account  of  the  evenness  of  its  stratification,  it  forms  an 
excellent  building  stone,  and  is  employed  for  this  purpose  by  the  in- 
habitants of  Canaan.     Not  unfrequently  these  strata  are  divided  by 
seams  crossing  the  regular  planes  of  stratification  nearly  at  right  an- 
gles. (No.  541.) 

3.  A  mixture  of  Scapolite  and  Dolomite.     The  proportion  of  the 
two  minerals  is  various.     The  limestone  is  most  liable  to  decomposi- 
tion and  leaves  the  scapolite  in  irregular  masses ;  giving  to  the  rock 
a  most  forbidding  aspect.  (No.  542.) 

4.  Compact  Scapolite  Quartz  and  Mica.  (No.  543.)     This  appears 
to  be  mica  slate  or  quartz  rock  containing  a  small  proportion  of  scap- 
olite. 


316  Scientific  Geology. 

5.  Granular  Quartz  and  Scapolite,  containing  also  tremolite  and 
augite.  (No.  544.)  This  variety-is  scarcely  worth  noticing. 

The  strata  of  scapblite  rock  in  Canaan  run  in  a  direction  not  far 
from  northwest  and  southeast,  and  dip  to  the  northeast  at  an  angle 
generally  as  great  as  45°.  The  principal  part  of  the  rock  seems  to 
lie  between  the  dolomitic  limestone  beneath,  and  the  mica  slate  above 
which  forms  lofty  ridges  of  mountains  in  Canaan.  I  saw  none  of  the 
scapolite  rock  in  place,  however,  more  than  200  feet  above  the  lime- 
stone, though  bowlders  of  it  are  frequently  met  with  on  the  moun- 
tain east  of  South  Canaan  meeting  house  to  its  summit,  on  the  road 
to  Norfolk.  I  did  not  see  the  actual  junction  of  the  mica  slate  and 
scapolite  rock,  but  the  dip  and  situation  of  the  two  rocks  renders  it 
almost  certain  that  the  latter  does  pass  under  the  former.  On  the 
lower  side,  the  scapolite  rock  passes  by  a  gradual  mixture  into  the 
limestone ;  as  the  specimens  will  show.  Upon  the  whole,  the  age  of 
this  rock  is  the  same  as  that  of  the  Berkshire  limestone,  which  alter- 
nates with  mica  slate ;  and  which  probably  is  not  as  old  as  that  which 
alternates  with  gneiss. 

It  will  be  seen  that  the  preceding  description  of  this  rock  does  not 
differ  —  except  in  being  more  extended  —  from  that  which  I  gave  in 
1828,  in  the  14th  Vol.  of  the  American  Journal  of  Science.  If  I 
could  have  referred  it  to  any  known  group  of  rocks,  I  should  not 
have  described  it  as  new.  But  this  was  impossible. 

9.       QUARTZ  ROCK. 

Among  the  older  rocks  geologists  have  not  been  able  to  discover 
any  determinate  order  of  superposition  ;  although  each  one  of  them 
is  most  likely  to  be  found  in  a  particular  connection.  But  the  same 
rocks  are  also  found  in  several  other  connections,  so  as  to  render  all 
attempts  to  fix  their  exact  place  in  the  scale  unsatisfactory.  Our 
rocks  are  as  unmanageable  in  this  respect  as  those  in  Europe,  but  no 
more  so ;  showing  that  the  same  general  causes  have  produced  them 
on  both  continents.  I  have  already  shown  that  our  limestones  are  of 
various  ages,  and  the  same  is  true  of  quartz  rock,  hornblende  slate, 
and  some  others.  Amid  this  great  uncertainty  as  to  the  place  in  the 
series  which  the  older  rocks  ought  to  occupy,  it  is  not  easy  to  decide 
what  is  the  best  order  of  describing  them.  It  will  be  observed  that  I 
do  not  follow  exactly  the  same  order  in  the  account  of  the  rocks 
which  I  am  now  giving,  as  is  followed  in  the  tablets  attached  to  the 


Varieties  of  Quartz  Rock.  173 

map.  The  order  which  I  now  follow,  and  which  agrees  with  that 
given  on  the  Tabular  View  of  the  Rocks  in  the  Atlas,  accords,  as 
nearly  as  I  can  determine  it,  with  the  order  of  nature :  whereas  on 
the  map,  I  was  obliged  to  have  some  reference  to  convenience  of  ex- 
hibition ;  one  of  the  groups  being  miscellaneous. 

Mineralogical  Characters. 

Quartz  rock  was  first  described  by  Dr.  Macculloch ;  and  its  chief 
ingredient,  as  its  name  implies,  is  quartz.  But  it  takes  into  its  com- 
position, mica,  feldspar,  and  sometimes  blue  schistose  clay.  The  fol- 
lowing varieties  are  found  in  Massachusetts. 

1.  Pure  Quartz.     This  exists  in  several  states.     First,   hyaline, 
white  :  generally  in  beds  in  mica  slate.     Secondly,  compact,  white,  or 
reddish,  or  dark  blue ;  in  beds  in  argillaceous  slate.     It  is  quite  ob- 
vious that  this  blue  variety  has,  in  some  way  or  other,  been  coloured 
by  the  slate;  either  when  first  deposited  from  aqueous  solution,  or 
when  subsequently  melted,  if  it  ever  has  been,  by  heat.     Thirdly, 
course,  granular,  color  gray,  or  reddish.     These  are  the  most  com- 
mon varieties.     Fourthly,  fine,  granular,  or  arenaceous;    sometimes 
disintegrated  so  as  to  form  a  beautiful  white  sand.    (Nos.  545  to  565.) 

2.  Granular  Porous  Quartz,  with  occasional  fragments  of  foliated 
feldspar  and  black  hornblende.     This  is  the  rock  descrcibed  in  the 
first  part  of  my  Report,  under  the  name  of  buhrstone  ;  for  which  it  is 
used.     It  is  certainly  a  remarkable  rock.     Without  close  inspection 
it  would  not  be  distingushed  from  the  Paris  buhrstone.     But  it  is  in 
fact  finely  granular ;   and  what  is  most  remarkable,  is  the  occurrence 
in  it  of  occasional  fragments  of  foliated  feldspar  and  hornblende,  rare- 
ly larger  than  a  pea,  and  often  not  larger  than  the  head  of  a  pin. 
These  have  evidently  been  subject  to  attrition ;    and  they  give  to  the 
rock  somewhat  of  a  mechanical  texture.     I  have  observed  also  in  this 
rock,  traces  of  mica  slate:  and  the  longest  direction  of  the  pores  cor- 
responds with  that  of  the  strata  seams,  and  gives  the  rock  a   slight 
claim  to  a  slaty  structure.     The  pores  or  cavities  are  rarely  large, 
but  they  are  disseminated  through  the  whole  rock ;  and  most  frequent- 
ly coated  with  a  yellowish  substance,  which  may  be  hydrate  of  iron. 
The  quartz  in  these  cavities  is  slightly  mamillary  sometimes,  show- 
ing a  tendency  to  crystallization.     (No.  567.) 

3.  Quartz  and  Feldspar;  the  former  in  much  the  largest  quantity. 
This  variety  usually  occurs  in  connection  with  gneiss,  and  not  in 
large  quantity.     (Nos.  571,  593,  600.) 


318  Scientific  Geology. 

.% 

4.  Quartz  and  Mica.     This  differs  from  mica  slate,  only  in  the 
predominance  of  the  quartz.     Usually  this  mineral  is  greatly  in  ex- 
cess :  but  occasionally  the  quantity  of  mica  increases  so  much,  that  it 
is  impossible  to  say  of  particular  specimens  to  which  rock  they  ought 
to  be  referred.     In  such  cases  I  have  taken  into  consideration  the 
character  of  the  surrounding  region.     If  mica  slate  predominates,  and 
there  be  not  an  actual  passage  into  decided  quartz  rock,  I  have  thought 
it  useless  to  describe  the  rock  as  quartz  rock,  even  if  for  a  considera- 
ble extent  the  quartz  predominates.     Such  cases  as  this  are  common 
in  the  mica  slate  range  extending  from  the  mouth  of  the  Merrimack  to 
Connecticut.     And  on  the  other  hand,  if  quartz  rock  predominates,  an 
occasional  excess  of  mica  in  some  of  its  strata  has  not  prevented  me 
from  considering  the  whole  as  quartz  rock. 

The  mica  in  this  variety  is  arranged  in  a  parallel  position,  and  it 
produces  a  schistose  structure ;  though  sometimes  the  laminae  are  so 
thick  that  they  ought  rather  to  be  regarded  as  strata.  In  other  in- 
stances, the  schistose  layers  are  extremely  tortuous  and  very  distinct 
from  the  stratification.  I  have  observed  this  circumstance  only  in 
Berkshire  County,  as  in  Lee.  (Nos.  572,  to  580;  and  587  to  592.) 

5.  Quartz  and  Talc.     Some  of  the  talcose  slate  in  Hawley,  Plain- 
field,  &c,  occasionally  becomes  a  slaty  arenaceous  quartz,  with  seams 
of  greenish  talc.  (No  581  to  583.)  Its  colour  is  white,  and  this  rock, 
seen  at  a  distance  in  Hawley  and  Rowe,  resembles  gneiss.     It  is  ob- 
viously a  member  of  the  talcose  slate  formation ;  and  it  may  be  ques- 
tionable whether  it  ought  not  rather  to  described  in  connection  with 
that  formation. 

6.  Quartz  and  Hornblende.     Instead  of  talc,  the  white  arenaceous 
quartz  described  under  the  last  variety,  sometimes  contains  numerous 
distinct  crystals  of  black  hornblende.    (Nos.  584,  585.)    It  forms  a 
beautiful  rock,  and  if  it  would  admit  of  a  polish,  might  be  employed 
for  ornamental  purposes.     It  is  less  abundant  than  the  preceding  va- 
riety.    In  the  gneiss  formation,  there  is  a  variety  in  which  greenish 
hyaline   quartz  contains    flattened   imperfect   crystals  of  actynolite. 
(No.  584.) 

7.  Quartz  and  Argillaceous  Slate.     I  have  observed  this  only  in 
Bernardston,  in  connexion  with  the  encrinal  limestone.     (No.  601,) 
The  quartz  is  white  and  blue,  and  exhibits  a  brecciated  structure.     It 
was  probably  coloured  by  the  slate ;  but  very  few  fragments  or  layers 
of  slate  are  now  visible. 

8.  Quartzose  Breccia.     This  consists  of  angular  fragments  of  gran- 


Quartzose  Breccia.  319 

ular  quartz,  connected  by  oxide  of  iron  ;  or  of  fragments  of  mica  slate, 
surrounded  by  radiated  quartz.  The  variety  found  in  bowlders  in 
Leverett  and  Amherst,  (I  have  no  doubt  that  the  bed  from  which  they 
were  derived  is  in  Leverett, )contains  but  very  little  iron,  scarcely  more 
than  enough  to  give  a  part  of  the  fragments  a  reddish  hue.  (Nos.  602, 
to  608.)  Another  variety  I  have  found  in  Amherst,  in  connection  with 
the  gneiss  formation,  in  which  the  cement  is  magnetic  oxide  of  iron. 
But  the  most  interesting  variety  exists  in  numerous  bowlders  along 
the  western  slope  and  base  of  Hoosac  mountain.  It  consists  of  angu- 
lar fragments  of  white  and  reddish  granular  quartz  cemented  by 
brown  hematite.  (Nos.  604  to  606.)  In  the  cavities  the  hematite  is 
often  iridescent  and  mamillary  ;  and  the  coat  investing  the  fragments, 
fibrous.  The  largest  bowlders  of  this  rock  that  I  have  seen,  (6  to  8 
feet  in  diameter,)  occur  on  the  Pontoosic  turnpike  from  Pittsfield  to 
Springfield,  in  the  south  part  of  Dalton,  at  the  foot  of  the  Hoosac  range. 
But  I  have  never  found  this  rock  in  place.  It  may  be  that  the  loose 
fragments  have  all  proceeded  from  a  huge  vein  of  this  breccia.  But 
from  their  size  and  abundance,  I  rather  presume  that  this  rock  will  be 
found  as  a  bed  in  the  common  granular  quartz  of  the  vicinity.  I 
found  one  bowlder  of  this  rock  ten  inches  in  diameter,  in  Southamp- 
ton ;  only  two  or  three  miles  from  Connecticut  river ;  affording  an- 
other proof  of  a  northwesterly  diluvial  current  in  former  times. 

Professor  Dewey  remarks,  that  in  Great  Barrington  and  Sheffield 
the  fragments  of  quartz  are  united  by  a  cement  of  quartz. 

The  most  common  gangue  of  the  lead  and  manganese  ores  in 
Hampshire  and  Franklin  counties,  is  quartz.  In  a  majority  of  cases 
it  is  radiated  quartz  investing  nuclei  of  micaceous  slate.  Thus  is  pro- 
duced a  very  curious  kind  of  breccia.  (No.  608,)  And  since  these 
veins  are  sometimes  6  or  8  feet  thick,  the  quantity  is  great  enough  to 
deserve  a  notice  in  this  connection. 

9.  Quartzose  Conglomerate.  This  consists  of  a  paste  of  quartz  and 
mica,  in  which  are  imbedded  numerous  distinctly  rounded  pebbles  of 
granular  or  hyaline  quartz.  (Nos.  609,  610.)  It  possesses  as  complete- 
ly the  characters  of  a  conglomerate  as  any  of  the  puddingstones  of  the 
secondary  formation.  I  have  never  found  it  in  place ;  but  cannot 
doubt  that  it  is  associated  with  the  quartz  rock  of  Berkshire  county. 
For  its  bowlders  are  not  uncommon  on  the  west  slope  and  the  top  of 
Hoosac  mountain.  In  Windsor  I  found  them  unusually  abundant. 
I  have  even  found  small  bowlders  in  the  Connecticut  valley,  in  Deer- 
field.  It  appears  to  be  identical  with  the  Conglomerate  Quartz  Rock 


320  Scientific  Geology. 

of  Macculloch.*  Ths  size  of  the  imbedded  pebbles  is  usually  about 
an  inch.  It  greatly  resembles  the  rock  that  constitutes  the  first  ridge 
of  the  mountain  range  on  the  east  side  of  Wyoming  valley,  in  Wilks- 
barre,  Pennsylvania ;  and  which  there  probably  underlies  the  the  an- 
thracite coal  formation. 

This  rock  being  most  decidedly  mechanical  in  its  texture,  will 
throw  some  light  on  the  age  of  the  quartz  rock,  and  associated  lime- 
stone of  Berkshire  valley,  if  it  be  admitted  that  it  forms  a  part  of  the 
series  ;  of  which  I  think  there  can  be  but  little  doubt. 

It  will  be  perceived  that  the  varieties,  Nos.  5,  6,  and  8,  above  de- 
scribed, are  different  from  any  mentioned  by  Dr.  Macculloch,  and  so 
far  as  I  know,  by  any  writer. 

In  order  to  have  a  complete  view  of  quartz  rock,  as  it  exists  in 
Massachusetts,  we  ought  to  recollect  that  two  varieties  (red  and  blue,) 
have  already  been  described  as  comprehended  in  the  graywacke  for- 
mation. 

Topography  of  Quartz  Rock. 

On  the  map  I  have  represented  all  the  quartz  rock  in  the  State  (ex- 
cept that  connected  with  the  graywacke,)  as  associated  with  mica 
slate,  talcose  slate,  or  gneiss.  It  is  also  more  or  less  connected  with 
other  rocks ;  as  with  limestone  in  Berkshire,  and  with  argillaceous 
slate  in  Bernardston.  But  in  all  other  cases,  except  in  regard  to 
gneiss  and  mica  slate,  it  is  little  more  than  a  juxtaposition  of  the  two 
rocks ;  whereas  the  quartz  rock  alternates  with,  and  passes  impercep- 
tibly into  gneiss  and  mica  slate.  And  in  fact  it  might  be  regarded 
very  properly  as  a  member  of  the  gneiss  and  mica  slate  formations. 

In  Cumberland,  Rhode  Island,  I  have  marked  a  strip  of  quartz 
rock  as  connected  with  the  peculiar  rock  that  prevails  in  that  place, 
and  which  I  venture  to  denominate  talco-chloritic  slate ;  although  its 
characters  are  very  obscure.  Or  rather  the  quartz  rock  lies  between 
this  slate  and  the  graywacke  on  the  east ;  and  I  think  also  that  it  al- 
ternates with  the  talco-chloritic  slate.  In  the  northeast  part  of  the 
town,  it  forms  a  hill  of  considerable  altitude,  of  snowy  whiteness. 
More  westerly  its  color  is  gray,  and  it  is  of  a  coarser  texture. 

I  take  this  opportunity  to  remark,  that  I  do  not  feel  confident  that 
even  on  the  second  edition  of  the  geological  map,  and  after  a  re-exami- 
nation of  that  region,  I  have  correctly  delineated  the  rocks  of  Cum- 

*  Geological  Translations,  vol.  1.  p.  GO.     Second  Series, 


Topography  of  Quartz  Rock.  321 

berland  and  its  vicinity.  Its  geology  is  certainly  very  intricate,  and 
deserves  the  long  and  careful  study  of  some  one  who  resides  in  the 
vicinity ;  and  then  it  should  be  exhibited  on  a  map  of  a  larger  scale 
than  mine.  Since  it  is  not  in  Massachusetts,  I  did  not  feel  justified  in 
devoting  so  much  time  as  was  desireable  to  its  examination. 

The  range  of  mica  slate  extending  from  Webster  to  the  mouth 
of  the  Merrimack,  often  passes  into  genuine  quartz  rock,  and  gener- 
ally contains  a  large  proportion  of  quartz.  In  the  south  part  of  this 
range,  in  Webster  especially,  I  noticed  so  much  quartz  rock  that  I 
have  represented  a  patch  of  it  on  the  map. 

The  gneiss  formation  on  the  east  of  this  mica  slate,  especially  near 
the  southeast  part  of  Worcester  county,  is  associated  with  extensive 
strata  of  quartz  rock.  In  Sutton  and  the  vicinity,  it  occupies  a  con- 
siderable part  of  the  surface ;  and  there  I  have  delineated  this  rock 
on  the  map.  I  have  noticed  it  in  several  of  the  towns  northeast  from 
Sutton,  interstratified  with  gneiss  and  hornblende  slate.  In  the  east- 
ern part  of  Franklin  county,  in  New  Salem  and  Warwick,  I  have 
met  with  it  in  strata  of  a  few  feet  wide,  interstratified  with  gneiss. 

Along  the  western  border  of  the  great  gneiss  range  of  Worcester 
county,  is  another  narrow  stratum  of  quartz  rock,  in  some  places 
associated  with  the  gneiss,  sometimes  with  hornblende  slate,  and 
sometimes  with  mica  slate.  I  have  represented  it  on  the  map  as  ex- 
tending only  from  Leverett  to  the  north  line  of  the  State,  because  south 
of  this  place  it  is  very  narrow  and  frequently  interrupted.  Mica 
slate  is  commonly  associated  with  this  rock  north  of  Leverett.  On 
the  opposite  side  of  Connecticut  river,  in  Northfield,  Mass,  and  Ver- 
non,  Vt.  quartz  rock  forms  one  of  the  members  of  a  series  of  mica 
slate  passing  into  gneiss,  hornblende  slate,  and  argillaceous  slate. 
In  Vernon  it  is  liable  to  disintegration  and  has  been  employed  for  the 
manufacture  of  glass.  In  Bernardston,  where  it  approaches  the  clay 
slate,  as  already  remarked,  it  occasionally  takes  portions  of  that  rock 
into  its  composition.  But  generally  in  Leverett  and  Northfield,  it  is 
that  variety  which  contains  mica. 

Berkshire  county,  however,  contains  the  principal  repository  of 
quartz  rock.  Here  it  is  usually  associated  with  mica  slate;  and  al- 
though it  is  represented  as  lying  contiguous  to  gneiss,  yet  I  have 
given  my  reasons  elsewhere  for  the  opinion  that  its  position  is  uncon- 
formable  to  that  of  the  gneiss.  It  sometimes  forms  hills  of  consider- 
able elevation  :  as  Monument  Mountain  in  Stockbridge,  which  is  more 
than  a  thousand  feet  high.  Compared  with  the  mica  slate  and  gneiss 
41 


322  Scientific  Geology. 

however,  this  rock  lies  generally  at  a  low  level ;  corresponding  in 
this  respect  with  the  limestone.  The  largest  proportion  of  this  rock 
is  gray  or  reddish  granular  quartz.  In  Cheshire  it  is  extensively 
disintegrated,  so  as  to  form  a  good  sand  for  the  preparation  of  glass. 
For  the  cause  of  this  disintegration  I  have  sought  in  vain.  The 
buhrstone  in  Washington,  near  Pittsfield,  is  another  interesting  vari- 
ety; and  in  the  same  hill  the  granular  quartz  is  quarried  extensively 
for  architectural  purposes,  on  account  of  the  great  regularity  of  its 
stratification.  I  observed  the  variety  containing  mica,  in  Lee,  Wash- 
ington, Canaan,  Ct.  &c. ;  though  this  is  not  the  most  common  variety. 
The  situation  of  the  breccias  and  conglomerates  has  been  already 
pointed  out. 

It  is  also  unnecessary  to  say  any  thing  farther  in  relation  to  the 
quartz  rock  containing  talc  and  hornblende. 

In  connection  with  the  gneiss  in  the  southeastern  part  of  the  State, 
it  may  be  remarked,  that  quartz  rock  occurs  in  considerable  quantity, 
as  I  have  noticed  in  several  places,  having  an  agatized  structure. 
That  which  I  found  in  Rochester,  is  quite  beautiful,  (a  polished  speci- 
men of  which  may  be  seen  in  the  collection.)  Some  examination 
since  the  publication  of  the  first  edition  of  the  first  part  of  my  Report 
has  led  me  to  suspect  that  this  quartzose  aggregate  is  more  abundant 
and  extensive  than  I  had  supposed ;  perhaps  extensive  enough  to  de- 
serve a  place  on  the  map. 

Dip,  Direction,  and  Character  of  the  Strata. 

It  requires  in  many  cases  careful  attention  to  discern  seams  of  stra- 
tification in  the  purely  granular  quartz  of  Berkshire  county.  They 
are  never,  however,  wanting  for  any  considerable  extent.  And  very 
frequently  there  exists  a  set  of  cross  seams,  nearly  at  right  angles  to 
the  planes  of  stratification.  The  same  thing  is  true  of  the  quartz 
rock  of  Leverett  and  Northfield,  in  which  mica  is  sparingly  interlam- 
inated.  (No.577.) 

In  general,  however,  quartz  rock  exhibits  great  distinctness  and 
regularity  of  stratification,  particularly  the  variety  last  mentioned. 
Where  the  mica  is  in  small  quantity,  the  thickness  of  the  strata  is 
considerable  ;  but  as  the  mica  increases  the  layers  are  thinner,  until 
al  length  the  rock  becomes  schistose.  At  the  quarry  in  Washington, 
near  the  buhrstone  locality,  the  stratified  structure  is  beautifully  exhib- 
ited ;  and  it  results  from  a  minute  quantity  of  mica,  in  scales  scarcely 
visible  to  the  naked  eye.  The  stratification  of  the  buhrstone,  which 


Mineral  Contents  of  Quartz  Rock.  323 

lies  at  the  northern  extremity  of  the  same  elevation,  is  much  less  dis- 
tinct. But  immediately  beneath  this  variety,  the  rock  takes  so  much 
mica  into  its  composition  as  to  become  slaty, —  almost  mica  slate  even. 
(No.  591.) 

In  general  the  dip  and  direction  of  the  strata  of  this  rock  corres- 
pond to  those  of  the  gneiss  and  mica  slate  with  which  it  is  connected. 
In  Berkshire  I  have  already  remarked  that  the  direction  is  usually 
north  and  south.,  and  the  dip  east,  at  rather  a  small  angle.  At  the 
quarry  just  mentioned,  however,  the  dip  is  from  10°  to  15°  westerly; 
but  the  buhrstone  dips  about  as  much  in  the  opposite  direction.  And 
in  the  quarry  we  find  veins  of  granite,  indicating  the  proximity  of  a 
larger  mass  of  that  rock ;  though  I  did  not  explore  the  surrounding 
region  for  it :  but  I  think  this  fact  will  afford  a  probable  explanation 
of  this  anomaly  in  the  dip  of  the  strata.  In  the  northeast  part  of 
Windsor,  high  up  the  Hoosac  range  of  mountains,  this  rock  dips  north 
about  25°. 

The  quartz  rock  in  Northfield  and  Bernardston,  west  of  Connecti- 
cut river,  dips  from  20°  to  60°  east,  and  runs  north  and  south.  East 
of  the  river,  its  dip  approaches  90°  east.  In  Southborough  its  direc- 
tion is  nearly  east  and  west,  and  its  dip  northerly  and  large.  In  Ox- 
ford and  Webster  its  direction  is  nearly  north  and  south  and  its  dip 
from  20°  to  45°  west ;  though  in  the  west  part  of  Oxford  I  noticed  a 
dip  of  10°  easterly,  the  rock  being  interstratified  with  gneiss.  In 
Sutton  the  dip  is  from  30°  to  35°  north,  corresponding  to  that  of  the 
gneiss  in  the  vicinity. 

Mineral  Contents. 

Scar^ sly  any  rock  in  Massachusetts  is  so  destitute  of  simple  mine- 
rals as  this ;  unless  we  include  in  it  those  metallic  veins  of  which 
quartz  is  the  gangue.  And  these  may  more  appropriately  be  de- 
scribed under  quartz ;  in  which  rock  these  veins  for  the  most  part  oc- 
cur. Hematite  iron  ore,  forming  the  cement  of  the  quartzose  breccia 
in  Dalton,  is  the  most  interesting  mineral  in  the  quartz  rock.  Sul- 
phuret  of  iron,  also,  has  been  observed  in  small  quantities  in  that 
quartz  rock  which  is  associated  with  talcose  slate  in  Hawley,  &c. 
In  Pittsfield,  Worthington,  &c.  masses  of  quartz  are  found  of  a  yel- 
lowish color,  and  appear  to  be  genuine  ferruginous  quartz.  Some- 
times this  quartz  passes  into  yellow  jasper,  and  also  into  chalcedony 
and  hornstone,  as  at  Dalton. 


3^4  Scientific  Geology. 

*•  ' 

Veins  in  Quartz  Rock. 

In  a  few  instances,  as  at  the  quarry  of  quartz  rock  in  Washington, 
several  times  spoken  of,  veins  of  granite  may  be  seen.  But  gener- 
ally the  veins  in  this  rock  are  quartz ;  the  vein  being  usually  white 
and  opaque,  and  the  rock  a  mixture  of  gray  granite  and  mica,  —  the 
latter  mineral  existing,  however,  in  very  small  proportion.  In  some 
instances  the  rock  appears  to  be  what  the  Wernerian  writers  denomi- 
nated primitive  siliceous  slate.  The  following  is  a  sketch  of  a 
bowlder  of  about  eight  inches  diameter,  found  in  Amherst.  The 
principal  part  of  it  is  gray  quartz  traversed  by  numerous  veins  of 
white  quartz. 


Quartz  Veins  in  Quartz  Rock. 

Theoretical  Considerations. 

The  regularity  of  the  stratification  in  quartz  rock,  and  the  fact  that 
silica  is  soluble  in  water,  have  disposed  geologists,  in  all  cases  where 
it  is  possible,  to  impute  to  this  rock  an  aqueous  origin.  But  like  all 
the  older  rocks  it  appears  subsequently  to  have  been  subjected  to  heat 
of  a  greater  or  less  degree  of  intensity,  whereby  it  has  been  rendered 
compact.  And  no  doubt  in  this  way  some  siliceous  sandstones  have 
been  converted  into  solid  quartz :  as  in  the  Isle  of  Sky  in  Scotland, 
where  trap  comes  into  contact  with  the  sandstone. 

A  complete  theory  of  the  formation  of  that  variety  of  brecciated 
quartz,  which  in  Dalton  is  cemented  by  hydrate  of  iron,  it  is  not  easy 
to  form.  The  chief  difficulty  seems  to  be,  to  imagine  how  the  quartz 
was  broken  into  such  numerous  angular  fragments  :  for  after  these 


Theoretical  Considerations.  325 

fragments  were  piled  together,  it  is  not  difficult  to  conceive  that  the  in- 
terstices might  have  been  filled  by  the  iron  from  solution  in  water. 

The  same  difficulty  occurs  in  the  case  of  those  extensive  metallifer- 
ous veins  that  have  been  referred  to,  whose  gangue  is  quartz,  en- 
closing masses  of  mica  slate  and  forming  a  kind  of  breccia.  But  the 
whole  subject  of  mineral  veins  has  a  great  deal  of  mystery  hanging 
over  it,  and  is  probably  less  understood  than  any  other  department  of 
geology. 

What  shall  I  say  of  the  origin  of  the  Washington  buhrstone?  We 
have  every  reason  to  conclude  that  the  French  buhrstone  was  depos- 
ited from  water.  And  that  at  Washington  differs  from  it  chiefly  in 
being  more  arenaceous  and  tender.  Probably,  therefore,  it  had  a 
similar  origin.  But  what  shall  be  said  of  the  occasional  fragments 
of  feldspar  and  hornblende  which  it  contains  ?  Certainly  these  give 
it  somewhat  of  a  mechanical  character,  and  their  production  and  in- 
troduction are  difficult  to  explain.  Can  it  be,  that  subsequently  to  its 
deposition,  it  has  been  subject  to  the  action  of  a  heat  so  powerful  that 
a  partial  fusion  took  place,  and  a  few  imperfect  crystals  of  feldspar 
and  hornblende  were  thus  produced  ?  That  granite  exists  in  quantity 
not  far  from  this  rock,  is  rendered  probable  by  the  facts  already  men- 
tioned, viz.  that  veins  of  it  occur  at  a  quarry  of  quartz  rock  in  the  same 
hill,  and  that  the  strata  at  this  quarry  dip  a  few  degrees  to  the  west, 
while  the  burhstone  dips  about  as  much  to  the  east.  And  this  granite 
might  have  furnished  the  requisite  heat. 

The  conglomerate  quartz  rock  originated  probably  like  other  con- 
glomerates :  that  is,  we  must  first  suppose  an  abrasion  of  existing 
strata,  and  then  a  consolidation  of  the  materials  thus  worn  off,  either 
by  heat  or  simple  desiccation.  In  the  present  case,  heat  was  probably 
an  important  agent.  Otherwise  I  know  not  how  to  explain  the  marks 
of  a  crystalline  structure  which  it  exhibits  ;  as  much,  indeed,  as  the 
oldest  mica  slate.  But  until  this  rock  is  found  in  place,  it  will  be  use- 
less to  spend  much  time  upon  its  theory. 

The  varieties  of  quartz  rock  associated  with  mica  slate,  talcose 
slate,  and  gneiss,  probably  had  an  origin  similar  to  that  of  these  sev- 
eral rocks.  That  they  have  all  been  acted  upon  powerfully  by  heat, 
I  cannot  doubt ;  but  not  until  after  their  deposition.  I  confess  myself 
inclined  to  the  opinion,  that  all  these  strata  originally  resembled  our 
present  secondary  strata ;  and  that  the  agency  of  the  unstratified 
rocks  has  rendered  them  crystalline.  Thus  the  quartz  rock  thai  con- 


326  Scientific  Geology. 

tains  some  mica,  might  have  been  originally  a  micaceous  sandstone. 
But  more  of  this  hypothesis  as  we  proceed. 

It  is  gratifying  to  find  that  the  quartz  rock  of  Massachusetts  cor- 
responds so  closely  with  that  of  Europe.  But  we  shall  find  this  to 
be  the  case  generally  with  our  primary  rocks  ;  a  proof  of  uniformity 
in  the  mode  of  their  production. 

10.       MICA  SLATE. 

It  is  usual  to  place  this  rock  next  to  gneiss,  or  as  the  second  in  re- 
spect to  age  among  the  stratified  rocks.  And  in  Massachusetts  it  is 
not  unfrequently  associated  with  gneiss.  But  it  is  also  associated 
with  every  other  rock,  as  high  in  the  series^at  least  as  argillaceous 
slate :  I  mean  in  a  conformable  position.  Hence  I  have  thought  it 
best  to  introduce  it  before  talcose  and  hornblende  slate  and  serpentine ; 
because  these  latter  rocks,  in  the  district  under  consideration,  are  con- 
nected, scarcely  without  an  exception,  only  with  gneiss  and  the  oldest 
varieties  of  mica  slate. 

Miner alogical  Characters. 

It  is  hardly  necessary  to  remark,  in  respect  to  a  rock  so  common 
and  well  known,  that  its  essential  ingredients  are  quartz  and  mica : 
and  the  anomalies  of  composition  are  fewer  in  this  rock  than  in  most 
others ;  although  the  varieties  of  aspect  are  numerous.  As  I  under- 
stand the  subject,  however,  it  is  necessary  that  the  mica  should  be  the 
predominant  ingredient,  in  order  to  constitute  a  rock  mica  slate.  But 
in  this  case  we  must  look  to  the  whole  mass  of  the  rock,  rather  than 
to  hand  specimens  :  for  single  specimens  may  often  exhibit  the  quartz 
in  excess,  and  yet  be  regarded  as  mica  slate.  The  following  varie- 
ties of  this  rock  I  have  found  in  Massachusetts. 

1.  Quartz  and  Mica:    the  former  granular  and  laminar ;  the  lat- 
ter in  distinct  scales  and  highly  glistening.     This  variety  is  associ- 
ated with  the  oldest  rocks,  as  granite  and  gneiss ;    and  is   obviously 
more  highly  crystalline  than  the  other  varieties.     The  longitudinal 
arrangement  of  the  mica  gives  this  variety  sometimes  a  fibrous  ap- 
pearance.    (Nos.  614  to  626.) 

2.  The  same,  containing  a  small  proportion  of  Feldspar,  and  thus 
passing  into  gneiss.     (Nos.  627  to  636.)     It  is  only  when  the  mica 
greatly  predominates  that  this  rock  can  with  any  propriety  be  denom- 
inated mica  slate. 


Varieties  of  Mica  Slate.  327 

3.  Passing  into  Talcose  Slate.     In  most  cases  the  mica  slate,  un- 
der this  variety,  takes  into  its  composition  scales  of  greenish  talc. 
But  sometimes,  I  apprehend,  the  mica  becomes  tender,  almost  losing 
its  elasticity,  and  very  much  resembling  talc,  from  which  it  is  scarce- 
ly possible  to  distinguish  it.     When  the  talc  predominates,  especially 
to  the  exclusion  of  the  mica,  the  rock  then  becomes  talcose  slate. 
(Nos.  637  to  641.) 

4.  Amphibolic  and  Garnetiferous  Mica  Slate.     This  variety  takes 
into  its  composition  in  large  proportion,  hornblende  or  garnets ;  usu- 
ally both.     From  the  fact  that  those  minerals  are  commonly  found 
together,  I  have  made  only  a   single  variety   include   them   both. 
(Nos.  642  to  645.) 

5.  Staurotidiferous  Mica  Slate.      In  this  rock  the  mica  is  in  very 
fine  scales,  and  it  has  the  general  aspect  of  argillaceous  slate  ;  except 
that  when  the  strata  are  viewed  edgewise,  they  exhibit  a  striped  ap- 
pearance in  consequence   of  numerous  layers  of  staurotide,  which 
appear  to  be  coextensive  with  the  layers  of  the  rock.     I  should  not 
have  regarded  this  mineral  as  of  importance  enough  to  constitute  a 
distinct  variety  of  mica  slate,  did  I  not  know  that  extensive  ledges, 
like  the  rock  just  described,  extend  nearly  across  the  whole  of  Mas- 
sachusetts, through  the  towns  of  Norwich,    Chesterfield,   Goshen, 
Hawley,  and  Heath  ;  and  on  the  east  side  of  Connecticut  river,  it  has 
been  traced,  with  some  interruptions,  from  near  Long  Island  Sound 
to    Franconia,  New  Hampshire,   a   distance   of  nearly   200   miles. 
Where  it  crosses  Massachusetts,  however,  it  is  but  imperfectly  devel- 
oped.    (No.  646.) 

I  wish  here  to'remark,  that  when  I  coin  a  new  term  to  prefix  to  a 
variety  of  rock,  it  is  rather  for  the  sake  of  giving  a  laconic  definition, 
than  in  the  wish  or  expectation  that  it  will  become  a  permanent  name 
for  the  rock.  Indeed,  mere  varieties  need  no  distinct  names,  except 
when  an  attempt  is  made  to  give  a  logical  account  of  a  formation. 

6.  Spangled  Mica  Slate.     The  basis  of  this  singular  rock  is  the 
same  .as  in  the  last  variety  ;  and  the  two  are  associated  in   Chester- 
field, Goshen,  Plainfield,  &c.     Through  this  base  are  disseminated 
numerous  thin  foliated  plates  of  a  deep  brown  color,  resembling  mi- 
ca somewhat,  but  almost  entirely  destitute  of  elasticity  and  brittle. 
Their  length,  (rarely  more  than  a  quarter  of  an  inch,)  is  usually  twice 
as  great  as  their  breadth,  and  there  is  a  decided  polarity  exhibited  in 
their  arrangement :    that  is,  their  longer  axes  all  lie  in  the  same  di- 
rection, and  the  surfaces  of  the  plates  in  the  same  or  in  parallel  planes  : 


328  Scientific  Geology. 

so  that  light  is  reflected  from  many  of  them  at  once  when  the  speci- 
men is  held  in  a  proper  position,  and  thus  a  beautifully  spangled  ap- 
pearance results.  Not  being  confident  as  to  the  nature  of  this  mine- 
ral, I  have  given  the  rock  a  designation  which  indicates  merely  this 
obvious  property.  These  spangles  are  pretty  uniformly  diffused 
through  the  mass,  and  their  surfaces  rarely  coincide  with  the  layers 
of  the  slate.  (Nos.  647  to  650.) 

I  found  this  same  rock  in  rolled  masses  in  Newport,  R.  I.  And 
Col.  Totten  informed  me  that  it  exists  in  place  on  one  of  the  islands 
in  Narraganset  bay,  —  Canonicut  Island,  I  believe.  At  Plainfield  it  is 
sometimes  divided  into  rhomboidal  masses  by  oblique  cross  seams. 
(No.  649.) 

7.  Argillo-micaceous  Slate.      This  exists  wherever  the  mica  slate 
passes  by  gradations  into  clay  slate  5  and  such  places  are  numerous 
in  Massachusetts.     It  exists  also,  in  connection  with  the  two  last  va- 
rieties, in  the  range  of  slate  passing  through  Chesterfield,  Plainfield, 
&c. ;  where  the  strata  are  perpendicular,  and  have  a  broad  range  of 
decided  mica  slate  on  the  east,  and  a  similar  extent  of  talcose  slate, 
hornblende  slate,  and  gneiss,  on  the  west:  which  position  is  strong 
evidence  that  this  rock  must  be  one  of  the  oldest  of  the  primary  strata. 
It  does  not,  however,  in  this  case  actually  pass  into  clay  slate.     And 
I  believe  it  will  always  be  found  to  consist  of  fine  scales  of  mica, 
closely  compacted,  so  as  to  give  it  an  argillaceous  aspect.     This  rock 
sometimes  contains  large  beds  of  white  quartz,  which  is  frequently 
fetid.     (Nos.  651  to  667.) 

8.  Arenaceous  Mica  Slate.     In  this  variety  the  quartz  is  gray,  in 
fine  sandy  grains,  and  diffused  through  the  whole  mass,  not  lamellar. 
(Nos.  668  to  712.)     The  mica  is  in  fine  disseminated  scales;    al- 
though the  plates  are  usually  parallel  to  one  another.     The  mass  is 
usually  imperfectly  schistose,  though  more  regularly  stratified  than 
most  other  varieties ;  and  sometimes  there  exists  a  double  set  of  strata 
seams.     Ordinarily  it  is  not  so  much  contorted  in  its  layers  as  the 
older  varieties  ;  but  an  intermediate  variety  is  perhaps  of  all  the  mica 
slates  most  remarkable  for  irregularity.     The  following  are  sketches 
of  the  curvatures,  in  Nos.   688,   689,  and  690,    which  are  from  the 
Gorge  or  "  Glen  "  in  Leyden. 


Varieties  of  Mica  Slate. 


329 


In  Norwich  and  Enfield  this  variety  has  been  extensively  employed 
for  whetstones :  the  former  locality  is  far  the  best,  and  the  latter  is 
now  nearly  or  quite  abandoned. 

In  general  this  variety  occupies  the  highest  place  in  the  mica  slate 
series.  Thus  we  find  it  on  both  sides  of 'the  Valley  of  the  Connec- 
ticut, when  first  we  pass  on  either  side  of  the  river  from  the  new  red 
sandstone ;  and  the  whole  of  the  mica  slate  formation  in  Worcester 
County  is  of  this  description. 

This  variety  is  very  nearly  allied  to  quartz  rock.  Indeed,  in  re- 
spect to  extensive  tracts,  it  is  often  difficult  to  say  whether  it  should 
be  denominated  quartz  rock  or  mica  slate.  Sometimes  it  exhibits  a 
double  set  of  strata  seams ;  one  set  being  oblique  to  the  other.  It 
contains  also  not  unfrequently  beds  or  tuberculous  masses  of  white  or 
sometimes  blood  red  quartz. 

9.  Anthr'acitous  Mica  Slate.     This  is  simply  a  very  fine  grained 
mica  slate,  approximating  to  clay  slate,  which  has  been  impregnated 
and  rendered  black  and  shining  by  carbon.      I  am  disposed  to  re- 
gard the  rock  constituting  the  immediate  roof  and  floor  of  the  an- 
thracite bed  in   Worcester,  as  belonging  to  this  variety,  although 
I  am    aware  that  it  has  been  generally  regarded  as  argillaceous 
slate.     But  I  think  that  in  all  cases  careful  examination  will  detect 
the  mica.     Of  this,  however,  more  in  another  place.      This  variety 
occurs,  also,  in  Ward  and  in  Dudley.  (Nos.  717  to  719.) 

10.  Plumbaginous  Mica  Slate.     This  rock  differs  from  the  last 
only  in  exhibiting  the  gray  aspect  of  plumbago,  rather  than  the  dark 
color  of  anthracite.     But  probably  in  most   cases  very  little  plum- 
bago  is   present.      Yet  the    resemblance  is  often  striking.     This 
variety   occurs   frequently   among  the   newer  beds   of  mica  slate ; 
as  for  instance,  on  the  east  side  of  Connecticut  river,  in  Southamp- 
ton, Conway,  Shelburne,  &c.  (Nos.  713  to  715  and  718  and  719.) 

1 1.  Conglomerated  Mica  Slate.     In  Haverhill  and  Amesbury  I  ob- 

42 


330  Scientific  Geology. 

served  fragments  of  mica  slate  cemented  by  the  hydrate  of  iron,  so  as 
to  form  a  conglomerate.  (No.  716.)  It  is,  however,  of  very  limited 
extent ;  occupying  only  occasional  fissures  in  the  rock,  and  is  probably 
the  result  of  slow  disintegration,  and  the  subsequent  infiltration  of 
iron  from  the  decomposition  of  pyrites. 

In  the  vicinity  of  the  sienite  in  Whatley,  I  found  a  bowlder,  obvious- 
ly compose^  of  fragments  of  mica  slate,  which  were  once  partially 
fused.  They  are  cemented  together  chiefly  by  feldspar.  The  nu- 
merous nodules  of  the  mica  slate  imbedded  in  the  sienite  at  that  place 
will  render  this  explanation  rational,  as  I  shall  attempt  to  show  in  de- 
scribing sienite.  (No.  724.) 

12.  Indurated  Mica  Slate.     In  the  same  region  in  Whatley,  I 
found  a  bowlder  between  quartz  and  chert,  of  a  dark  gray  colour,  ex- 
hibiting traces  of  an  original  slaty  structure.  (No.  725.)     As   Dr. 
Macculloch  says  of  a  similar  variety  found  in  Scotland,  "  it  is  not  enu- 
merated with  the  siliceous  schists,  because  it  has  not  been  the   prac- 
tice so  to  do;  but  it  bears  a  strong  analogy  to  the  primary  varieties  of 
these."* 

13.  Augite  Rock.     It  may  not  be  expected  to  see  this  rock  placed 
in  this  connection :  since  the  rock  of  this  name  described  by  Dr. 
Macculloch  in  Europe,  is  an  unstratified  overlying  rock,  associated 
with  basalt  and  greenstone.     But  the  one  here  introduced,  is  of   en- 
tirely a  different  character.     It  is  ordinarily  composed  of  granular 
and  semicrystallized  augite,  of  a  greenish  or  yellowish  color,  mixed 
with  quartz  in  small  quantity ;  and  is  interstratified  with  mica  slate 
and  hornblende  slate.     And  since  it  occurs  in  too  small  a  quantity  to 
be  described  as  a  distinct  rock,  I  thought  the  proper  course  would  be 
to  notice  it  in  this  connection.  (Nos.  726,  727.)     I  have  found  it  only 
in  Williamsburgh,  two  miles  west  of  the  meeting  house,  at  the  local- 
ity of  smoky  quartz  and  plumose  mica  ;  where  its  characters  corres- 
pond with  those  mentioned  above.      But   Dr.   Emmons  informs  me 
that  it  exists  in  Chester  in  the  situation  exhibited  below :  that  is,  there 


"2         *^i  ^  *2 

*  Classification  of  Rocks,  p.  280. 


Topography  of  the  Mica  Slatt.  331 

exists  in  that  town  such  an  alternation  of  strata.  One  of  the  beds  of 
this  rock  is  partly  made  up  of  "  a  variety  of  paratomous  augite-cpar, 
which  cleaves  into  thin  plates  and  approaches  nearly  in  some  speci- 
mens to  schiller  spar.  Yet  "  says  Dr.  E.  "  I  should  not  call  the  stra- 
tum Diallage  Rock."  (so  it  had  been  called)  "  The  loose  bowlders 
which  I  first  found  were  aggregates  of  this  variety  of  pyroxene  and 
feldspar.  I  afterwards  found  that  they  came  from  the  mica  slate  and 
did  not  generally  resemble  granite."  Concerning  the  scapolite  rock, 
placed  by  Dr.  Emmons  on  the  above  section,  he  has  given  me  no  in- 
formation. 

Topography  of  Mica  State. 

It  will  be  seen  by  the  map  that  this  rock  occupies  several  large 
tracts  in  the  State..  And  it  exists,  also,  in  smaller  quantities,  associa- 
ted in  numerous  places  with  gneiss  and  granite,  but  not  shown  on  the 
map.  Thus  the  region  in  Northampton,  Williamsburgh,  Goshen,  &c, 
coloured  as  granite,  is  in  fact  nearly  half  mica  slate.  But  it  would  be 
impossible  to  represent  the  true  relative  position  of  the  two  rocks ;  and, 
therefore,  I  have  coloured  the  whole  space  as  composed  of  the  predom- 
inant rock.  And  the  same  remarks  will  apply  to  almost  every  other 
range  of  granite  that  is  represented  in  the  central  or  western  parts  of 
the  State. 

The  mica  slate  of  Berkshire  is  chiefly  of  those  varieties  that  approx- 
imate to  argillaceous  and  talcose  slate.  It  there  forms  lofty  insulated 
mountain  peaks,  or  continuous  ranges.  Saddle  mountain,  nearly 
4000  feet  high,  and  the  highest  point  in  the  State,  is  compos- 
ed of  this  rock.  And  so  is  the  eastern  part  of  Taconic  range :  as 
well  as  nearly  all  those  broken  ranges  of  mountains  extending  from 
Lenox  through  Stockbridge,  Great  Barrington,  and  Sheffield.  As  a 
general  fact,  the  limestone  occupies  the  vallies ;  and  this  would  be 
deemed  conclusive  proof  that  this  rock  was  deposited  subsequently  to 
the  mica  slate,  did  we  not  find  it  sometimes  alternating  with  the  slate. 
Shall  we  then  infer,  that  the  limestone  being  much  more  liable  to  dis- 
integration than  the  slate,  has  been  decomposed  and  abraded  so  as  to 
bring  it  down  to  much  the  lowest  level? 

As  we  ascend  the  Hoosac  mountain,  the  mica  slate  assumes  a  much 
more  crystalline  aspect  and  appears  to  belong  to  the  oldest  varieties 
of  this  rock.  It  is  essentially  of  the  same  character  across  the  whole 
mountainous  range  between  the  vallies  of  Berkshire  and  the  Connec- 
ticut :  though  as  we  approach  the  latter  valley,  we  find  it  sometimes 


332  Scientific  Geology. 

assuming  an  argillaceous  or  arenaceous  character ;  and  in  Leyden  it 
passes  into  distinct  argillaceous  slate. 

It  will  be  seen  by  the  map,  that  the  Hoosac  mountain  range,  (by 
which  I  mean  all  the  mountainous  regiori  between  the  vallies  of 
Berkshire  and  the  Connecticut,)  is  composed  mainly  of  two  wedge 
shaped  patches  ;  the  one  of  gneiss  and  the  other  of  mica  slate  ;  the  first 
having  its  acute  angle  towards  the  north,  the  other  to  wards  the  south. 
And  yet,  according  to  the  map,  which  shows  the  direction  of  the  strata, 
(Plate XV I.)  the  strata  extend  uninterruptedly  across  both  the  wedges. 
And  such  I  believe  to  be  the  fact.  It  is  my  opinion  that  the  mica  slate 
and  gneiss  pass  laterally  into  each  other;  that  is,  as  we  go  north,  the  feld- 
spar decreases  in  quantity  until  it  disappears  ;  and  of  course  the  rock 
is  mica  slate ;  and  so  vice  versa.  But  the  lateral  passage  of  one  rock 
into  another  is  extremely  difficult  to  prove  ;  because,  on  account  of  the 
diluvium  spread  over  the  surface,  we  cannot  trace  a  stratum  with  cer- 
tainty for  any  considerable  distance.  Accordingly  this  is  a  subject 
rarely  touched  upon  by  geological  writers.  I  recollect,  indeed,  but  a 
single  statement  of  any  fact  resembling  this :  Dr.  Macculloch  speaks 
of  the  beds  of  red  sandstone  in  Sky,  as  "changing  their  composition 
even  according  to  the  line  of  their  prolongations  :"*  But  they  merely 
change  from  red  sandstone  into  gray  quartz  rock ;  which  might  have 
resulted  from  the  application  of  heat.  Yet  I  see  no  insuperable  diffi- 
culty in  supposing  that  in  one  part  of  an  extensive  deposit,  gneiss 
might  have  been  produced,  and  mica  slate  in  another ;  I  mean  in 
the  same  stratum.  Some  geologists  suppose  that  these  rock  were  pro- 
duced by  direct  crystallization  from  aqueous  solution :  and  on  this 
hypothesis,  I  can  imagine  how  one  portion  of  the  menstruum  might 
be  destitute,  or  nearly  so,  of  feldspar :  while  the  other  part  should 
abound  in  it;  especially  if  the  supposed  lake  or  ocean  were  shallow. 
Other  geologists  suppose  these  rocks  to  have  been  originally  deposit- 
ed in  the  condition  of  sediment,  and  that  their  crystallization  resulted 
from  their  subsequent  partial  fusion  by  heat.  And  certainly  in  con- 
sistency with  this  hypothesis,  may  the  change  of  composition  under 
consideration  be  explained.  But  as  to  the  fact  of  such  a  change  in 
the  present  case,  I  would  not  wish  to  be  very  positive  without  farther 
examination.  It  is,  however,  certain,  that  much  of  the  gneiss  in  the 
Hoosac  range  so  much  resembles  mica  slate,  that  Prof.  Dewey  was 
led  to  describe  it  as  such.  But  as  it  does  pass  into  distinct  gneiss  to- 

*  Western  Islands,  Vol.  1.  p.  307. 


Topography  of  the  Mica  Slate.  333 

wards  the  south  part  of  the  State,  and  especially  in  Connecticut,  I 
have  not  hesitated  thus  to  mark  the  whole  formation  as  far  north  as 
the  rock  contains  any  noticeable  quantity  of  feldspar.  I  suspect  that 
careful  observation  might  discover  that  the  rock  contains  feldspar 
across  the  whole  State,  and  that  the  patch  of  gneiss  represented  in 
Whitingham  Vt.  is  a  continuation  of  the  range  marked  on  the  map  as 
extending  only  to  Savoy. 

Near  the  central  part  of  this  range  of  mica  slate,  occurs  a  range  of 
talcose  and  chlorite  slates,  in  conformable  order,  and  passing  insensi- 
bly into  the  mica  slate.  Hornblende  slate  and  limestone  are  connect- 
ed with  it  still  more  intimately,  as  the  map  will  show. 

The  mica  slate  on  both  sides  of  Connecticut  river  in  Northfield,  is 
separated  from  the  range  just  described,  by  a  deposite  of  argillaceous 
slate  conformably  stratified  and  gradually  passing  into  the  mica  slate, 
though  the  direction  of  the  strata  of  the  clay  slate  is  more  towards  north- 
east and  southeast  than  that  of  the  mica  slate  on  the  west :  On  the  east, 
the  mica  slate  becomes  decided  quartz  rock ;  and  this  accompanies  the 
mica  slate,  though  often  wanting,  as  far  south  at  least  as  Leverett. 

The  narrow  stratum  of  mica  slate  marked  on  the  map  in  the  east- 
ern part  of  Hampshire,  and  Hampden  counties,  is  associated  with  tal- 
cose slate  on  one  side,  and  with  gneiss  on  the  other.  From  having  notic- 
ed occasional  patches  of  mica  slate  among  the  gneiss  as  far  north  at  least 
sa  Enfield,  I  have  been  induced  to  extend  the  stratum  so  far,  in  doubt, 
however,  whether  it  be  continuous  over  the  whole  distance.  In  many 
other  parts  of  the  broad  gneiss  range  of  Worcester  county,  I  would  here 
remark,  we  find  limited  beds  ofmica  slate,  apparently  interstratified 
with  the  gneiss.  But  to  exhibit  all  such  cases  on  the  map  would  re- 
quire immense  labour,  and  be  of  little  service. 

In  the  northwestern  part  of  the  gneiss  range  of  Worcester  county, 
will  be  perceived  on  the  map,  a  succession  of  granite,  gneiss,  and  mi- 
ca slate  deposites.  I  have  not  in  that  case  attempted  to  give  the  ex- 
act extent  of  these  several  rocks  in  that  region :  but  simply  to  indi- 
cate that  such  a  succession  of  strata  exists  there;  and  that  the  differ- 
ent members  of  it  occupy  the  surface  in  about  the  same  ratio  as  the 
different  colours.  I  apprehend  that  here  is  another  example  of 
a  different  composition  in  the  same  stratum  prolonged.  But  I 
throw  out  this  hint  merely  to  excite  others  to  make  that  thorough 
examination  which  I  have  not  been  able  to  do. 

In  passing  eastward  we  next  come  to  the  Worcester  range  of  mica 
slate,  which  has  been  several  times  referred  to.  This  rock  has  hereto- 


334  Scientific  Geology. 

fore  been  regarded,  either  as  graywacke  slate,  or  talcose  slate,  or  both.* 
But  after  a  careful  examination  of  this  formation  in  various  places, 
from  the  mouth  of  the  Merrimack  to  Connecticut  line,  I  am  con- 
strained to  regard  it  as  one  of  the  latest  varieties  of  mica  slate  :  prob- 
ably what  Humboldt  would  call  transition  mica  slate.  True,  I  have  oc- 
casionally met  with  a  limited  portion-of  this  rock,  which  had  somewhat 
of  a  mechanical  aspect :  though  not  much  more  so  than  I  have  found 
in  every  range  of  mica  slate  which  I  have  examined.  In  some  cases 
too,  there  exists  a  glazing,  apparently  talcose,  on  the  laminae  of  the 
rock ;  and  this  variety  certainly  approximates  closely  to  graywacke 
slate.  Still,  these  are  not  the  predominant  characters  of  the  formation. 
Generally  the  rock  is  composed  of  gray  arenaceous  quartz,  and  mica 
in  minute  scales  :  the  rock  exhibiting  too  much  of  a  crystalline  struc- 
ture for  graywacke,  and  containing,  moreover,  but  little  if  any  argilla- 
ceous matter.  Where  it  contains  a  considerable  oxide  of  iron,  as  in 
the  northeast  part  of  Worcester,  it  presents  at  a  little  distance  the  dirty 
appearance  of  sandstone :  but  a  closer  examination  will  show  the 
characters  above  pointed  out.  I  saw  not  the  least  trace,  moreover,  of 
any  organic  remains  in  this  formation;  nor  have  I  any  evidence  that 
such  have  ever  been  found.  In  short,though  very  probably  genuine  cab- 
inet specimens  of  graywacke  slate  may  be  found  in  this  formation,  yet 
as  a  whole,  I  could  not,  without  doing  violence  to  my  convictions,  refer 
it  to  any  formation  but  mica  slate.  But  as  I  shall  place  quite  a  num- 
ber of  specimens  from  this  formation  in  the  hands  of  the  Government, 
others  by  inspecting  them  can  form  their  own  opinions  as  to  their 
nature. 

I  ought  to  remark  that  quartz  very  frequently  predominates  in  this 
formation,  and  the  mica  almost  disappears.  Indeed,  I  am  by  no  means 
sure  that  quartz  is  not  the  predominant  ingredient  in  the  whole  for- 
mation :  and  if  so,  it  ought  to  be  denominated  quartz  rock.  And  it 
seems  to  me  that  there  is  much  more  reason  to  doubt  as  to  this  point, 
than  whether  it  ought  to  be  referred  to  graywacke,  or  talcose  slate. 

As  we  approach  the  east  and  west  sides  of  this  range,  the  charac- 
ters of  the  mica  slate  become  more  decided ;  and  in  this  slate  of  ap- 
parently greater  antiquity,  the  veins  and  protruding  masses  of  gran- 
ite are  more  numerous  ;  though  they  occur  in  every  part  of  the  for- 
mation, and  sometimes  in  the  argillaceous  slate  connected  with  it. 
Except  that  in  Worcester,  Fitchburg,  and  Pelham,  (N.  H.)  no  at- 

*  Eaton's  Canal  Rocks  and  Geological  Text  Book. 


Mica  Slate.  335 

tempt  has  been  made  to  give  the  actual  number  and  extent  of  these 
masses  of  granite  on  the  map ;  but  simply  to  indicate  where  they  are 
most  numerous.  I  regard  the  frequency  of  the  protrusion  of  this 
granite,  and  the  perfection  of  its  character,  as  some  indication  that  the 
formation  is  older  than  graywacke.  A  large  proportion  of  the  most 
beautiful  granite  in  the  state  is  contained  in  this  formation  ;  and  it  is 
entirely  wanting  in  hornblende;  which  circumstance,  if  I  mistake  not, 
affords  some  presumption  of  its  being  among  the  oldest  of  the 
granites. 

But  does  not  the  occurrence  of  anthracite  in  this  formation  at  Wor- 
cester, decide  at  once  that  it  cannot  be  mica  slate  1  Some  might,  in- 
deed, doubt  whether  that  mineral  is  actually  contained  in  the  rock 
under  consideration ;  because  the  slate  forming  the  immediate  roof 
and  floor  of  the  mine  so  much  resembles  clay  slate.  But  its  extent  is 
quite  limited,  and  then  succeeds  the  rock  under  consideration ;  and  I 
have  already  stated  that  I  regard  the  slate  in  which  the  anthracite 
lies,  as  an  anthracitous  mica  slate.  This  is  not,  therefore,  the  mode 
in  which  I  would  dispose  of  the  objection  to  my  view  of  the  nature 
of  this  rock,  derived  from  the  presence  of  anthracite. 

But  can  there  be  any  doubt  that  anthracite  does  occur  in  mica  slate 
and  even  in  gneiss  ?  The  highest  European  authorities  are,  I  be- 
lieve, unanimous  on  this  point.  If  we  consult  the  Tableau  des  Ter- 
rains of  Brongniart,  we  shall  see  anthracite  marked  in  the  stratum 
of  gneiss  that  lies  next  to  granite ;  in  his  Phylladique,  a  variety  of 
mica  slate  superior  to  the  oldest  variety  of  the  graywacke  series,  &c. 
"  It  has  occurred,"  says  Dr.  Macculloch,  "in  gneiss,  in  micaceous 
schist,  in  primary  limestone,  and  in  a  conglomerate  rock  said  to  be- 
long to  the  primary  rocks."*  "  It  was  believed  for  a  long  time,"  says 
De  Lafosse,  "  that  anthracite  belonged  exclusively  to  the  primitive 
deposites.  But  it  has  been  since  found  that  it  abounds  in  the  secon- 
dary and  transition  formations,"  &c.f  "Anthracite,''  says  Prevost, 
"  belongs  almost  exclusively  to  the  oldest  of  the  deposites  called  tran- 
sition ;  where  it  is  met  with  in  beds  or  veins  in  the  midst  of  mica 
slate,  of  gneiss,  and  of  the  schistes-phyllades,  which  overlie  vegetable 
impressions  of  the  family  of  ferns.  For  a  long  time,  it  is  true,  it  was 
said  that  anthracite  was  found  in  primitive  deposites  ;  but  it  is  proba- 
ble that  this  term  was  applied  to  rocks  and  formations  which  are  now 

*  System  of  Geology,  Vol.  ii.  p.  296. 

t  Dictionnaire  D'Historie  Naturelle,  Art.  Anthracite. 


336  Scientific  Geology. 

placed  in  the  transition  formation.  It  seems  almost  certain  that  no 
primitive  anthracite  exists."*  I  asserted  in  the  first  part  of  my  Re- 
port that  some  of  the  anthracite  in  this  country,  viz.  that  at  Worces- 
ter, occurs  in  primitive  rocks,  because  it  exists  in  mica  slate.  A  re- 
viewer says  that  "  he  has  certainly  spoken  unadvisedly  when  he  as- 
serts that  it  is  so  found  in  this  country."!  But  had  he  been  aware 
that  I  reject  the  transition  class,  and  consequently,  following  Maccul- 
loch,  include  every  variety  of  mica  slate  and  gneiss,  the  older  varie- 
ties of  quartz  rock,  and  clay  slate,  in  the  primitive  class,  he  would 
have  seen  that  my  statement  was  in  perfect  accordance  with  the  au- 
thorities quoted  above ;  and  their  correctness  and  high  standing,  1 
presume,  he  would  not  call  in  question.  When  Prevost  asserts  that 
"  no  primitive  anthracite  exists,"  he  means  none  which  he  calls  prim- 
itive. But  in  the  same  paragraph  he  says  that  this  mineral  does  ex- 
ist in  mica  slate  and  gneiss  ;  every  variety  of  which,  geologists  of  no 
mean  name  regard  as  primitive.  If  this  is  all  that  is  meant  by  the 
reviewer,  there  is  between  him  and  me  no  difference  of  opinion,  ex- 
cept in  the  use  of  the  word  primitive. 

If  it  be  true,  as  I  suppose,  that  the  Worcester  anthracite  occurs  in 
mica  slate,  we  see  the  reason  why  it  approaches  so  nearly  to  plumba- 
go, as  I  have  elsewhere  shown  that  it  does.  For  whatever  be  the 
cause,  as  a  general  fact  it  is  true,  that  the  older  the  rock  in  which  car- 
bon is  found,  the  more  compact  it  is,  and  the  nearer  does  it  approxi- 
mate to  the  semi-crystallized  condition  of  plumbago. 

On  the  first  edition  of  the  map  a  small  patch  of  mica  slate  was  rep- 
resented in  Sherburne.  But  its  extent,  as  I  observed  it,  was  so  limited 
that  I  have  thought  it  best  to  omit  it.  I  am  not  without  suspicion, 
however,  that  this  rock  may  be  found  of  considerable  extent,  con- 
nected with  granite,  in  Sherburne  and  in  the  towns  north  of  that 
place,  as  far  as  Sudbury  at  least. 

The  narrow  strip  of  mica  slate  in  Smithfield.  R.  I.  represented  on 
the  map  as  associated  with  talcose  slate,  is  of  rather  a  peculiar  char- 
acter. It  is  decidedly  arenaceous,  and  even  resembles  certain  mica- 
ceous sandstones.  (No.  675.) 

The  tongue  of  mica  slate  exhibited  on  the  map,  as  extending 
through  the  east  part  of  Andover  into  Middleton,  is  very  probably 
connected  with  the  Worcester  range ;  since  the  direction  and  dip  of 

*  Diet.  D'Hist.  Nat.  Art.  Houille. 

t  Peter  A.  Browne,  Esq.  —  Bucks  County  Intelligencer,  Sept.  3,  1832. 


Structure  of  Mica  Slate,  fyc.  337 

the  strata  correspond  with  those  of  that  range :  and  indeed  I  have 
traced  it  nearly  to  the  place  of  connection  with  the  Worcester  mica 
slate.  But  commonly  it  is  more  decided  in  its  characters,  and  more 
crystalline  in  its  texture,  than  the  rock  of  that  range  generally;  espe- 
cially where  it  approaches  the  coarse  granite  of  Andover. 

Slaty  and  Stratified  Structure  of  the  Mica  Slate,  with  the  Dip  and 
Direction  of  the  Strata. 

It  is  rare  to  find  even  a  small  portion  of  this  rock  destitute  of  a 
schistose  structure.  But  it  is  not  uncommon  to  meet  with  extensive 
masses  in  which  it  is  very  difficult  to  trace  any  strata  seams.  In 
other  places,  however,  no  rock  exhibits  more  regularity  and  beauty 
of  stratification.  Such  differences  may  in  general  be  explained  by 
local  disturbances ;  but  sometimes  no  appearances  will  warrant  such 
an  explanation  of  the  phenomena.  And  it  seems  reasonable  to  im- 
pute something  to  different  proportions  of  the  ingredients  in  the  rock, 
and  to  peculiarities  in  the  mode  of  formation.  In  general,  the  less 
the  quantity  of  mica,  the  more  regular  is  the  stratification.  The 
mica  slate  in  Goshen,  Chesterfield,  &c.  which  is  remarkably  regular 
in  this  respect,  consists,  however,  chiefly  of  mica.  Those  varieties 
exhibit  most  of  contortion  and  undulation  in  the  layers,  which  are  of  a 
plumbaginous  aspect,  and  contain  tuberculous  masses  of  quartz. 

Though  our  mica  slate  is  sometimes  divided  by  a  double  set  of 
strata  seams,  yet  I  have  never  met  with  any  examples  in  which  the 
planes  of  stratification  make  an  angle  with  the  laminae  of  the  slate. 
The  flexures  of  the  laminae,  however,  seem  in  a  great  measure  to  be 
independent  of  the  planes  of  stratification  ;  and  the  two  structures  ap- 
pear to  have  resulted  from  different  causes.  The  two  following 
sketches  will  illustrate  this.  In  each  case  a  single  stratum  only  is 
represented ;  and  it  will  be  seen  that  the  curvatures  of  the  laminae 
have  no  connection  with  the  strata  seams,  which  are  represented  by 
the  parallel  lines  that  include  the  contorted  layers.  In  these  cases 
the  strata  are  two  or  three  feet  thick :  and  they  are  generally  thick  ; 
sometimes  eight  or  ten  feet,  where  the  slate  is  much  bent.  The  stra- 
ta are  often  bent  as  well  as  the  laminae,  and  sometimes  the  curvatures 
of  the  former  are  parallel  to  those  of  the  latter. 

43 


338 


Scientific  Geology. 


Contortions  in  Mica  Slate  :  Whately. 


Contortions  in  Mica  Slate:  Conway. 

The  following  extracts  from  my  travelling  notes,  will  show  the  dip 
and  direction  in  numerous  places  of  the  strata  of  the  different  ranges 
of  mica  slate  that  have  been  described.  It  has  already  been  men- 
tioned that  this  rock,  in  connection  with  the  limestone  of  Berkshire 
county,  has  a  direction  north  and  south,  and  a  dip  from  15°  to  30* 
east,  often  greater.  Between  Cheshire  and  Lanesborough,  for  in- 
stance, its  strata  dip  from  60°  to  90°  east ;  and  between  Lanesborough 
and  Hancock,  from  30°  to  40°  east. 


Hoosac  Mountain  Range. 


Hoosac  Mountain,  western  slope, 

Florada,  east  slope  of  do. 

From  Chester  to  Becket, 

Near  Chester  village, 

Goshen,  Plainfield,  Hawley,  > 

Charlemont,  and  Zoar,  $ 

Goshen,  northwest  part  of  the  town,    E.  and  W. 


Direction. 
N.  and  S. 
N.  a  little  W. 
N.  and  S. 
E.  and  W. 

N.  and  S. 


Dip. 

20°  to  90°  East. 
70°  to  90°  East. 
80°  to  90°  East. 
45°  North. 

nearly  90°  East. 
25°  North. 


Dip  and  Direction  of  the  Strata.  339 

Direction.  Dip. 

Westfield  to  Blanford,  N.  and  S.  70°  to  90°  West. 

Chester,  Worthington,  (east  part,)  } 

Chesterfield,  (west  part,)  >    N.  and  S.  nearly  90°  W. 

Cummington,  (east  part,)  ) 

Cummington,  (west  part,)  N.  and  S.  nearly  90°  E. 

Heath,  N.  and  S.  nearly  90°  W. 

Colraine,  N.  and  S.  nearly  90°  E. 

Whately,  N.  several  degrees  E.   70°  to  90°  East. 

Conway,  Shelburne,  Leyden,  >  N        ,  q  9no  t    7no  Fnqt 

Buckland,  and  Ashfield,          J 

Leyden,  (at  the  "  Glen,")  N.  and  S.  90° 

It  will  be  seen  that  the  general  direction  of  the  strata  in  this  range 
is  north  and  south,  and  the  dip  very  great ;  for  the  most  part  nearly 
vertical.  The  most  remarkable  exception  is  that  which  occurs  in  the 
northwest  part  of  Goshen,  where  the  strata  run  almost  east  and  west 
and  have  a  comparatively  small  dip.  Although  these  strata  are  re- 
markably regular,  yet  I  cannot  but  believe  that  this  peculiarity  has 
resulted  from  the  protrusion  of  that  vast  mass  of  granite  which  lies 
a  little  east  of  the  slate  in  that  town,  in  Williamsburgh,  Northampton, 
Whately,  &c.  I  can  easily  conceive  how  a  vast  mass  of  slate,  might 
be  thrown  into  an  anomalous  position  over  a  considerable  extent  of 
surface,  without  affecting  the  continuity  of  the  planes  of  stratification 
in  limited  spaces. 

In  the  Connecticut  Valley. 

Direction.  Dip. 

From  Fitzwilliam  to  Richmond,  (N.  H.)  N.  and  S.  East. 

From  Richmond  to  Winchester,  (N.  H.)  N.  and  S.  30°  to  40°  West. 

From  Winchester  to  Northfield,  N.  and  S.  nearly  90°  East. 

In  Northfield,  N.  E.  and  S.  W.  30°  West. 

Do.          west  side  of  the  river,  N.  and  S.  20°  to  60°  East. 

In  this  range  are  frequent  alternations  of  gneiss  and  protruding 
masses  of  granite  ;  and  in  the  lower  part  of  New  Hampshire  there  is 
a  good  deal  of  irregularity  in  the  dip  and  direction  of  the  strata. 
That  region  needs  farther  examination  and  elucidation. 


340  Scientific  Geology. 

Worcester  and  Merrimack  Vallies. 

Direction.  Dip. 

Webster,  N.  and  S.  45°  West. 

Ward,  N.  and  S.  70"  to  80°  West. 

Worcester,  west  of  hill  of  granite,    N.  and  S.  25°  West. 

Do.         east  of  the  same,  various,  25°  to  90°  Easterly. 

From  Worcester  to  Berlin,  N.  E.  and  S.  W.  20°  to  90°  N.  W.? 

Sterling,  N.  several  degrees  E.  60°  to  70°  West. 

(This  last  is  the  most  usual  dip  of  this  range  of  mica  slate.) 
Leominster,  N.  several  degrees  E.  West,  large. 

Fitchburg  to  Lunenberg,  do.  10°  to  30° Easterly. 

Between  Lunenberg  and  Shirley,  do.  Westerly,  small. 

Boxford,  N.  E.  and  S.  W.  25°  to  50°  N.  W. 

Groton,  do.  30°  to  45°  S.  E. 

Pepperell,  do.  nearly  90°  N.  W. 

Townsend,  N.  and  S.  30°  to  60°  East. 

Andover,  E.  and  W.  70°  to  90°  North. 

Methuen,  (Falls,)  E.  and  W.  20°  to  30o  North. 

Tyngsborough  to  Dunstable,  Southeast. 

Methuen  to  Dracut,  Northwest,  large. 

Lowell  to  Chelmsford,  nearly  E.  and  W.  do. 

Between  Newburyport  and  Bradford,      do.  Northerly. 

There  would  seem  from  the  above  statement,  to  be  great  irregular- 
ity in  the  direction  and  dip  of  the  strata  of  this  range.  Yet  it  must 
be  recollected,  that  I  was  careful  to  notice  all  the  important  anomalies 
in  these  respects,  that  fell  under  my  observation  ;  while  I  made  few 
records  where  the  usual  dip  and  direction  were  observed.  Hence  the 
statement  above  made,  in  respect  to  the  usual  dip  and  direction,  may 
be  true,  although  not  taught  by  the  preceding  table.  And  the  same 
remarks  are  in  a  measure  applicable  to  other  rocks.  To  prevent  any 
false  inferences  from  such  statements,  I  have  drawn  the  map  which 
exhibits  the  predominant  direction,  and  the  sections  appended,  which 
exhibit  the  predominant  dip,  of  the  strata  —  anomalies  being  neglect- 
ed, unless  they  are  of  considerable  extent.  In  the  range  under  con- 
sideration these  inequalities  are  somewhat  numerous.  Yet  I  am  in- 
clined to  the  opinion  that  the  mica  slate  along  the  western  border  of 
this  range,  is  connected  with  that  system  of  stratification  which  is  ex- 
hibited by  the  great  body  of  the  gneiss  in  the  western  part  of  Wor- 

*  Plates  XV,  XVII,  and  XVIII. 


Veins  in  Mica  Slate.  341 

cester  county,  where  the  strata  usually  run  north  and  south :  while 
the  great  body  of  this  range  is  connected  with  the  system  of  stratifica- 
tion that  prevails  in  the  gneiss  range,  running  northeast  and  south' 
west,  in  the  east  part  of  Worcester  county,  and  the  west  part  of  Mid- 
dlesex. South  of  Worcester  the  western  margin  of  the  gneiss  lying 
east  of  the  slate,  runs  nearly  north  and  south ;  and  hence  the  mica 
slate  there  affects  the  same  direction,  except  in  the  vicinity  of  the  an- 
thracite bed ;  where  it  curves  around  the  north  end  of  the  hill  of 
granite,  west  of  the  mine.  As  we  proceed  northerly,  the  gneiss  trends 
away  more  towards  the  northeast,  and  the  mica  slate  conforms  to  it. 
Still  farther  to  the  northeast,  the  strata  of  the  mica  slate  turn  more 
easterly ;  because  the  longer  axis  of  the  valley  of  the  Merrimack  lies 
in  that  direction ;  and  in  this  the  slate  seems  to  have  been  originally 
deposited. 

These  suggestions  may  explain  some  of  the  irregularities  appar- 
rent  in  the  stratification  of  this  mica  slate.  And  when  we  recollect, 
that  numerous  masses  of  granite  are  protruded  through  it —  some  of 
them  of  great  extent,  as  at  Fitchburg,  for  example,  —  I  think  we  shall 
have  no  difficulty  in  explaning  the  remaining  anomalies. 

The  strata  of  mica  slate  in  Sherburne,  run  northwest  and  south- 
east, and  dip  northeast  about  45°.  This  small  deposit  is  very  obvi- 
ously connected  with  that  system  of  strata  which  appears  in  the 
gneiss  of  the  southeast  part  of  Worcester  county ;  as  will  be  manifest 
when  I  come  to  describe  that  rock. 

At  Woonsocket  Falls  in  Cumberland,  R.  I.  a  peculiar  mica  slate 
appears  running  south  several  degrees  west,  and  dipping  southeast 
from  60°  to  80°. 

Veins  in  Mica  Slate. 

These  consist  chiefly  of  granite  and  quartz ;  but  it  will  be  more 
convenient  to  describe  them  when  treating  of  granite. 

Some  of  the  more  close  grained  and  imperfectly  schistose  varie- 
ties of  mica  slate  exhibit  by  disintegration,  that  kind  of  structure 
which  has  been  sometimes  denominated  veins  of  segregation :  that  is, 
veins  produced  at  the  time  of  the  formation  of  the  rock,  or  when 
it  was  in  a  fluid  state,  by  the  play  of  chemical  affinities,  which 
in  a  measure  separated  the  ingredients  into  different  masses  ;  so  that 
when  atmospheric  agencies  wear  away  the  rock,  the  harder  parts  re- 
main in  relief  on  the  surface,  like  genuine  veins.  The  following  is  a 
sketch  of  a  bowlder  of  mica  slate  not  more  than  two  feet  in  diameter, 


342  Scientific  Geology. 

which  exhibits  a  double  set  of  these  segregated  ridges,  the  smaller 
ones  amounting  to  fifty-five,  and  the  larger  ones  not  being  parallel  to 
one  another.  I  did  not  notice  the  direction  of  the  layers  in  this 
bowlder,  but  probably  it  coincides  with  that  of  the  most  numerous 
ridges. 


Veins  of  Segregation  in  Mica  Slate :  Chesterfield. 

Mineral  Contents. 

More  simple  minerals  occur  in  this  rock  than  in  any  other,  with 
the  exception  perhaps  of  granite. 

To  begin  with  the  earthy  salts:  it  is  hardly  needful  to  mention  one 
so  common  as  calcareous  spar,  which  always  occurs  more  or  less  in 
connection  with  limestone.  It  is  in  distinct  crystals  sometimes,  also, 
in  the  mica  slate ;  as  at  Chester,  where  several  of  its  secondary  forms 
have  been  noticed.  The  laminated  variety  occurs  in  connection  with 
the  micaceous  limestone  in  Whately,  Conway,  &c. 

The  sulphate  of  alumina  and  potassa,  or  native  alum,  is  not  unfre- 
quently  found  efflorescing  upon  mica  slate ;  resulting  from  the  de- 
composition of  the  sulphuret  of  iron  and  probably  also  of  feldspar, 
as  this  is  the  most  probable  source  from  whence  it  derives  the  potassa. 
In  Sheffield  it  is  said  that  "  pounds  of  it  can  easily  be  collected  in  as 
nearly  a  pure  state  as  that  of  commerce."*  The  localities  mentioned 
in  the  first  part  of  my  Report,  in  Leominster  and  Barre,  lam  satisfied 
ought  to  be  referred  to  the  gneiss  formation;  although  in  hand 
specimens,  the  rock  in  which  the  alum  occurs  can  hardly  be  distin- 
guished from  mica  slate. 

*  Robinson's  Catalogue  of  American  Minerals,  p.  69. 


Minerals  in  Mica  Slate.  343 

The  phosphate  of  lime  has  been  noticed  in  Willliamsburgh,  Ches- 
terfield, Chester,  Middlefield,  Norwich,  Hinsdale,  &c.  That  in  Wil- 
liamsburg  is  in  hexagonal  delicately  green  crystals,  and  is  doubtless 
apatite.  That  in  Chesterfield  is  associated  with  sappare  ;  as  may  be 
seen  on  No.  750,  and  almost  exactly  resembles  the  chrysoberyl  of 
Haddam ;  but  the  ease  with  which  it  is  impressed  by  steel,  shows  its 
nature  at  once.  In  Norwich  this  mineral  occurs  in  a  gray  quartz  and 
black  mica,  and  in  the  vicinity  of  granite.  One  of  the  imperfect 
crystals  which  I  found,  (of  which  No.  728  is  a  part,)  was  three  inches 
in  diameter  and  six  inches  long. 

Quite  recently,  in  Westmoreland  New  Hampshire,  a  very  interest- 
ing locality  of  crystalized  phosphate  of  lime — in  6  and  12  sided 
prisms — with  limpid  and  purple  foliated  fluate  of  lime  and  fine  sul- 
phuret  of  molybdenum,  has  been  discovered  in  the  mica  slate,  which  is  a 
continuation  of  that  range  exhibited  on  the  map  on  Connecticut  river 
in  Northfield,  &c.  I  have  not  however,  visited  the  spot ;  but  have 
seen  the  specimens.  I  believe  the  fluate  of  lime  does  not  occur  in  the 
same  spot  as  the  other  minerals.  (No.  729) 

Fluate  of  lime  exists  in  small  quantity  in  the  mica  slate  in  Con  way ; 
and  a  green  variety  was  found  a  few  years  since  in  the  same  rock  in 
Putney,  Vt. 

Almost  every  variety  of  quartz  described  in  the  books,  occurs  in 
our  mica  slate.  It  is  hardly  necessary  to  mention  crystallized  quartz, 
which  is  found  almost  every  where,  and  in  nearly  every  rock.  The 
white  hyaline  quartz,  passing  into  white  milky  quartz,  exists  in  large 
beds,  or  tuberculous  masses,  in  almost  every  part  of  the  mica  slate.  It 
is  an  interesting  fact,  that  a  large  proportion  of  this  quartz  is  fetid  in 
the  Hoosac  mountain  range.  I  have  observed  this  variety  on  that 
range  from  the  south  part  of  Connecticut,  to  the  south  part  of  Ver- 
mont, over  an  interval  of  more  than  1 00  miles.  Sometimes  this  hya- 
line quartz — as  in  Shelburne  and  Colraine — is  tinged  of  a  blood  red 
colour,  and  sometimes  of  wine  yellow,  by  iron.  As  the  mica  slate 
approaches  to  clay  slate,  the  quartz  becomes  bluish  and  greasy  in  its 
fracture.  Sometimes  also  it  is  pavonine  or  irised,  as  in  Fitchburg, 
Leyden,  &c.  It  is  found,  also,  of  a  rose  red  colour,  in  Williamsburg, 
Chesterfield,  Blanford,  and  Chelmsford.  I  am  not  certain  that  at  the 
two  latter  places  mica  slate  is  its  gangue,  because  I  found  it  only  in 
bowlders  :  yet  I  have  little  doubt  that  such  is  the  fact.  That  in  Blan- 
ford appears  to  be  the  finest ;  and  probably  if  some  pains  and  expense 
were  devoted  to  getting  it  out,  rich  specimens  might  be  procured. 


344  Scientific  Geology. 

In  the  mica  slate  in  the  southeast  part  of  Conway,  a  vein  of  quartz, 
six  or  eight  feet  thick,  and  nearly  perpendicular  to  the  horizon,  runs 
N.  20°  East.  It  is  the  gangue  of  two  ores,  the  red  oxide  of  iron  and 
the  gray  oxide  of  manganese :  which,  however,  do  not  occur  in  it 
abundantly  at  the  surface.  But  they  have  imparted  a  great  variety  of 
colours  to  nearly  the  whole  gangue ;  and  rendered  a  part  of  it  very 
compact.  Hence  we  find  there  brown  and  yellow  jasper,  and  some- 
times chalcedony.  The  various  colours,  black,  white,  red,  yellow, 
and  brown,  are  often  intermixed,  sometimes  irregularly,  forming 
breccia  agates  ;  and  rarely  in  parallel  stripes,  forming  a  banded  agate. 
Some  of  these,  if  polished,  would  form  I  doubt  not  elegant  ornaments. 
(Nos.  738  to  743.) 

At  the  same  place  we  find  a  delicate  variety  of  tabular  quartz,  in 
which  the  lamina  are  as  distinct  and  thin  as  the  folia  of  feldspar. 
Sometimes  they  are  so  arranged  as  to  present  the  appearance  of  pseu- 
domorphous  crystals ;  and  sometimes  they  so  intersect  as  to  form 
cells.  In  the  cavities  of  the  compact  quartz,  there  sometimes  occur  mi- 
nute crystals  of  quartz,  giving  the  geodes  a  rich  appearance.  (Nos. 
746,  747.) 

About  one  mile  northeast  of  the  College  in  Amherst,  I  have  recent- 
ly found  numerous  bowlders  almost  exactly  resembling  those  in  Con- 
way  just  described.  Chalcedony  and  hornstone,  however,  occur 
here  rather  more  commonly.  I  cannot  doubt  but  these  masses  were 
brought  to  that  spot  from  the  mica  slate  which  occurs  a  few  miles 
north,  both  in  Amherst  and  Leverett.  The  delicate  greenish  horn- 
stone,  found  by  Mr.  Shepard  in  Amherst  and  Pelham,  some  years 
since,  undoubtedly  had  the  same  origin.  I  do  not  despair  of  discov- 
ering the  parent  vein. 

Some  of  the  quartz  of  these  bowlders  is  yellow  and  in  small  crys- 
tals. Yellow  and  irised  quartz  also  occurs  in  mica  slate  in  Fitchburg. 
Jasper  is  found  on  the  banks  of  Deerfield  and  Westfield  rivers  in  rol- 
led masses,  and  probably  originated  in  mica  slate. 

The  gangue  of  the  lead,  zinc  and  copper  ores  in  Hampshire  coun- 
ty, is  chiefly  crystalized  and  radiated  quartz  :  and  these  veins  some- 
times occur  in  mica  slate :  but  as  they  generally  traverse  granite,  I 
shall  describe  them  in  treating  of  that  rock. 

Not  having  visited  the  beds  of  manganese  and  iron  marked  on  the 
map  in  Hirrsdale  and  Winchester,  New  Hampshire,  I  am  not  sure 
that  they  occur  in  mica  slate,  though  strongly  suspicious  that  such  is 
the  fact.  In  the  first  part  of  this  Report  I  have  stated  all  the  facts 


Minerals  in  MicaJSlate.  345 

with  which  I  am  acquainted  respecting  these  beds  ;  except  that  I  have 
since  ascertained  that  nearly  all  of  the  manganese  ore  is  the  ferro-sil- 
icate,  or  Fowlerite.  (No.  1027.) 

The  best  locality  of  fibrolite  that  has  been  discovered  in  thissbte, 
is  in  Lancaster,  near  the  village.  It  is  found  in  a  bowlder. 
The  fibrous  structure  is  sometimes  almost  changed  into  the  fo- 
liated. The  masses  are  from  an  inch  to  three  or  four  inches  long, 
and  half  an  inch  broad.  It  has  been  met  with,  also,  in  some  other 
places  in  the  State. 

The  localities  of  sappare  are  numerous.  The  best  is  Chesterfield  ; 
from  whence  large  quantities  have  been  obtained;  some  of  it  finely 
crystalized  and  of  a  rich  colour.  Its  colours  vary  from  nearly  white, 
to  dark  blue.  It  is  not  possible  at  present  to  obtain  specimens  as  fine 
as  No.  750.  It  is  found  also  in  Blanford,  Worthington,  Middlefield, 
Deerfield,  &c.  The  Rhoetizite  is  found  in  Blanford  and  Russell,  ac- 
cording to  Dr.  Emmons.  In  Canton  Ct.  this  mineral  occurs  crystal- 
ized and  of  a  green  colour. 

Of  the  situation  of  staurotide  in  Massachusetts,  I  have  given  a  gen- 
eral account  in  describing  the  staurotidiferous  mica  slate.  Chester- 
field perhaps,  near  the  locality  of  green  and  red  tourmalines,  is  as  good 
a  spot  for  procuring  specimens  as  any  one  in  Massachusetts.  But  no 
specimens  found  in  this  State  equal  those  from  the  western  part  of 
New  Hampshire. 

Dr.  Emmons  states  in  his  Mineralogy,  that  pinite  is  found  in  Ches- 
ter :  though  he  does  not  mention  the  rock  in  which  it  occurs.  I 
mention  it  here  merely  because  mica  slate  is  the  predominant  rock 
in  Chester. 

If  andalusite  and  macle  are  the  same  species,  then  the  most  abund- 
ant locality  in  Massachusetts  is  in  Lancaster,  in  clay  slate.  But  the 
mineral  which  has  been  generally  called  andalusite,  is  most  abundant 
in  Westford,  in  mica  slate.  And  I  am  happy  to  state  that  numerous 
specimens  can  be  obtained  from  thence.  It  occurs  in  the  stone  walls, 
from  a  hundred  rods  to  a  mile  east  of  the  center  of  the  village,  and 
may  sometimes  be  found  in  distinct  prisms,  greatly  resembling  spec- 
imens from  Germany.  'It  is  of  a  reddish  colour,  and  sometimes  the 
masses  are  2  or  3  inches  across.  Generally  they  are  accompanied 
by  a  fibrous  mineral,  resmbling  talc  :  but  I  am  not  satisfied  as  to  its 
nature. 

Schorl  is  not  common  in  mica  slate.  But  in  Norwich  I  found  a 
curved  specimen  of  this  rock,  nearly  a  foot  square,  entirely  covered 
44 


34G  Scientific  Geology. 

with  prisms  of  this  mineral,  of  the  size  of  a  goose  quill,  and  generally 
acuminated.  The  specimen  was  weathered  so  as  to  leave  the  schorl 
in  bold  relief. 

Scapolite  is  found  at  Chester,  as  already  mentioned ;  and  Dr.  Em- 
mons  in  his  Mineralogy  says  that  it  exists  "  in  veins  in  mica  slate,  asso- 
ciated with  hornblende,  pyroxene,  and  garnet ;  but  the  crystalization  is 
generally  confused  and  indistinct."  It  is  unnecesary  to  refer  again  to 
other  localities  of  hornblende  and  pyroxene  as  connected  with  mica 
slate ;  except  to  say,  that  Dr.  Emmons  mentions  "  Middlefield,  Ches- 
ter, Hinsdale,  and  most  of  the  mountain  towns  in  New  England,"  as 
containing  sahlite  and  coccolite. 

Garnet  is  more  widely  disseminated  in  mica  slate  than  any  other  min- 
eral. It  differs  in  size  from  an  almost  microscopic  grain,  to  a  crystal  of 
two  inches  in  diameter ;  and  its  colours  are  generally  reddish,  but  some- 
times black,  even  approaching  very  nearly  to  melanite.  In  the  slate  con- 
taining the  sappare  at  Chesterfield,  the  reddish  garnets  are  very  numer- 
ous and  sometimes  quite  large.  In  the  amphibolic  aggregates,  the  gar- 
nets are  usually  black.  In  Plainfield,  Dr.  Porter  has  found  garnets  dis- 
seminated in  quartz.  Garnet  and  staurotide  are  usually  associated ;  as 
at  Chesterfield,  Middlefield,  and  Chester.  The  usual  form  of  the  crystal 
is  a  rhombic  dodecahedron,  which  is  sometimes  truncated  on  its  edges. 

The  mica  slate  formation  in  Williamsburg,  Middlefield,  Chester, 
Hinsdale,  Cummington,  Worthington,  Plainfield,  &c,  frequently 
contains  crystals  of  epidote.  Generally  they  are  imbedded  in  quartz, 
and  frequently  associated  with  hornblende  and  augite.  Zoisite,  now 
regarded  by  able  mineralogists  as  a  species  distinct  from  epidote,  oc- 
curs also  in  Goshen,  Hawley,  Middlefield,  Chester,  Hinsdale,  Ches- 
terfield, Con  way,  Windsor,  and  particularly  in  the  north  part  of  Ley- 
den,  in  large  quantities.  Indeed,  it  may  be  found  scattered  over  near- 
ly every  part  of  the  Hoosac  Mountain  range  of  mica  slate ;  and  on 
the  same  range  as  far  northward  into  Vermont  as  I  have  examined. 

In  the  stone  walls  fifty  rods  west  of  the  residence  of  Gov.  Lincoln 
in  Worcester,  several  specimens  of  Idocrase  were  found  a  few  years 
ago,  associated  with  massive  garnet  and  pyroxene.  It  was  crystal- 
ized  in  right  rectangular  prisms,  truncated  on  the  lateral  edges  so  as 
to  produce  eight-sided  prisms.  There  can  be  little  doubt  that  the  rock 
containing  this  mineral,  belonged  originally  to  the  mica  slate  range 
of  Worcester  valley.  It  appears  from  Beudant's  work  on  mineral- 
ogy, that  it  exists  in  mica  slate  in  Europe,  although  generally  of  vol- 
canic origin.  As  the  Worcester  locality  is  now  exhausted,  I  am  in- 


Minerals  in  Mica  Slate.  347 

debted  to  William  Lincoln,  Esq.  for  the  specimen,  No.  765,  in  the 
collection.  According  to  Dr.  Emmons  the  same  mineral  occurs  in 
Chester. 

The  same  gentleman  has  found  stilbite,  heulandite,  analcime,  and 
chabasie,  with  hexahedral  calcareous  spar,  on  mica  slate  in  the  same 
place.  I  am  not  aware  that  these  minerals  have  before  been  found  in 
this  rock ;  although  stilbite  occurs  in  the  Alps  in  granitic  rocks.  But 
the  others  are  confined  almost  exclusively  to  trap  rocks  and  metallif- 
erous veins. 

The  mineral  called  anthophyllite,  which  some  able  mineralogists 
yet  consider  as  a  doubtful  species,  is  found  in  many  places  in  the  Hoo- 
sac  Mountain  range  of  mica  slate.  It  occurs  in  fibrous  masses,  or 
imperfect  prisms,  imbedded  in  the  mica  slate.  In  Chesterfield  it  is 
associated  with  sappare  and  garnets.  In  Chester  it  is  connected  with 
pyroxene,  garnet,  and  staurotide.  It  is  found  also  in  Blanford  in 
abundance. 

The  mineral  called  Cummingtonite  from  its  locality,  (Cumming- 
ton,)  is  thought  by  some  mineralogists  to  be  a  variety  of  anthophyl- 
lite. Prof.  Dewey,  however,  who  first  described  it,  regarded  it  as  a 
variety  of  epidote.  It  needs  farther  examination.  It  is  found  in  sev- 
eral places  in  Cummington,  and  also  in  some  of  the  neighboring 
towns.  I  have  found  it  likewise  in  Warwick,  on  the  east  side  of  Con- 
necticut river. 

It  is  not  uncommon  to  find  a  small  quantity  of  sulphur  upon  the 
mica  slate  in  a  pul  verulent  state,  and  proceeding  from  the  decomposi- 
tion of  some  sulphuret.  But  there  is  no  place  where  it  is  found  in 
sufficient  quantity  to  be  named. 

The  anthracite  which  I  consider  as  connected  with  mica  slate,  I 
have  already  described.  Graphite  also  occurs  in  mica  slate,  west  of 
Connecticut  river :  as  at  Cummington,  Chester,  Worthington,  &c. 
But  I  know  of  no  interesting  localities.  The  magnetic  oxide  of  iron 
exists  in  the  same  mica  slate  range,  in  disseminated  octahedra :  as  in 
Blanford,  Chester,  &c.  Sulphuret  of  iron  is  met  with  likewise  in 
the  same  situation.  In  Heath,  some  very  handsome  specimens  of  cu- 
bic crystals  have  been  found.  In  Hawley,  it  occurs  massive  in  con- 
siderable quantity,  near  the  junction  of  the  mica  and  talcose  slate. 

On  the  top  of  a  mountain  in  Canaan,  Ct.  there  was  found,  twenty 
years  ago,  a  small  mass  of  native  iron.  The  mountain  is  composed 
of  mica  slate,  Several  years  ago  I  visited  the  spot  and  was  led  to  the 
conclusion,  that  probably  a  large  mass  of  this  mineral  might  exist 


348  Scientifu  Gtology. 

there,  from  the  irregular  action  of  the  magnetic  needle  in  the  vicinity. 
A  full  description  of  the  spot  was  given  by  me  in  the  14th  volume  of 
the  American  Journal  of  Science.  In  the  20th  volume  of  the  same 
work,  it  has  been  suggested  by  Mr.  Shepard  that  the  recent  discover- 
ies in  regard  to  the  magnetic  polarity  of  rocks  and  mountains,  even 
of  those  apparently  destitute  of  iron,  will  explain  the  facts  which  I 
observed  on  the  Canaan  mountain,  without  supposing  a  mass  of  iron 
within  it.  But  if  I  understand  this  polarity  of  a  mountain,  it  affects  the 
needle  more  or  less  on  every  part  of  its  surface :  whereas  it  was  af- 
fected on  the  Canaan  Mountain  only  within  the  space  of  a  few  square 
rods  of  level  ground  near  the  top;  although  I  judged  that  the  whole 
top  embraced  hundreds  of  acres.  Hence  I  infer  that  we  must  suppose 
some  local  cause  acting  there  on  the  needle.  And  why  may  not  this  be 
native  iron,  since  it  was  near  that  spot  where  veritable  native  iron  was 
knocked  off  from  a  bowlder  /  If  this  be  a  reasonable  supposition,  it 
would  certainly  be  very  interesting  to  have  it  confirmed;  since  native 
iron,  (except  the  meteoric,)  is  one  of  the  rarest  of  minerals. 

One  mile  north  of  the  village  of  Worcester,  an  excavation  was 
made  several  years  ago  in  the  mica  slate  in  search  of  silver,  &c.  as 
already  described  in  the  first  part  of  my  report.  It  is  impossible  to 
ascertain  at  present  how  wide  is  the  vein  that  was  explored :  but  the 
minerals  thrown  out,  and  lying  around  the  opening,  are  arsenical 
pyrites,  carbonate  of  iron,  and  galena.  Sometimes  the  arsenical  iron 
is  in  distinct  crystals  in  quartz ;  but  I  could  not  ascertain  their  form. 
A  little  west  of  the  village  of  Worcester,  these  same  minerals  occur 
in  the  stone  walls,  along  with  the  idocrase,  rendering  it  probable  that 
this  last  mineral  originated  from  that  metallic  vein. 

In  Sterling,  one  and  a  half  mile  southeast  from  the  village,  are 
two  excavations  in  the  same  mica  slate  as  that  at  Worcester ;  and 
large  quantities  of  similar  ores  have  been  thrown  out.  Carbonate  of 
iron  is  most  abundant ;  arsenical  iron  less  common.  Blende,  of  a 
cherry  red  color,  is  found  there  in  considerable  quantity ;  galena  also 
occurs,  which  is  argentiferous,  according  to  Mr.  C.  T.  Jackson.  Sul- 
phuret  of  iron  exists  in  connection  with  the  ores  that  have  been  men- 
tioned, and  pyritous  copper  also  with  the  carbonate  of  iron.  Before 
the  compound  blowpipe  the  blende  was  reduced,  and  burnt  with  the 
flame  peculiar  to  zinc,  throwing  off  the  white  oxide.  Numerous 
quartz  veins  traverse  the  carbonate  of  iron,  and  a  considerable  quan- 
tity of  red  oxide  of  iron  occurs  in  the  quartz,  probably  proceeding 
from  the  decomposition  of  the  carbonate.  The  lamellae  of  this  car- 


TJieoretical  Consideration*.  349 

bonate  at  Sterling,  as  well  as  at  Worcester,  are  very  much  curved  and 
commonly  reddish  white.  These  ores  at  Sterling  constitute  beds  in 
mica  slate,  whose  direction  is  several  degrees  east  of  north,  corres- 
ponding to  the  general  direction  of  the  range.  The  dip  at  the  mines 
is  60°  to  70°  west. 

The  above  ores  need  a  careful  analysis :  for  it  is  well  known  that 
in  other  places  they  sometimes  contain  a  considerable  proportion  of 
silver  and  gold. 

The  micaceous  oxide  of  iron  described  in  the  first  part  of  the  Re- 
port as  in  Montague,  is  in  veins  traversing  mica  slate  and  granite, 
chiefly  ^he  former.  But  I  have  nothing  to  add  to  the  description 
which  I  have  given  of  these  veins. 

Sulphate  of  iron  is  not  uncommon  in  small  quantities  on  the  mica 
slate  of  this  State. 

The  only  remaining  mineral  to  be  noticed  in  the  mica  slate  of  Mas- 
sachusetts, is  the  red  oxide  of  titanium.  It  is  very  common  along 
the  eastern  margin  of  the  Hoosac  Mountain  range  of  mica  slate;  oc- 
curring in  four  or  eight-sided  prisms,  generally  striated  and  often 
geniculated.  It  is  usual  to  find  it  associated  with  zoisite,  as  at  Ley- 
den,  where  numerous  specimens  have  been  found.  Sometimes  it  pen- 
etrates quartz  and  sometimes  is  connected  with  hornblende.  In  Shel- 
burne  I  found  it  in  distinct  crystals  in  the  mica  slate,  without  any 
other  mineral.  I  have  found  it  likewise  in  Colrain  and  in  Conway. 
At  the  latter  place  I  found  one  or  two  geniculated  prisms,  more  than 
an  inch  thick  ;  also  in  small  crystals  having  the  primary  form,  that 
is  a  right  square  prism.  It  is  found  also  in  Williamsburg,  Chester- 
field, Middlefield,  &c.  In  Chesterfield  I  found  a  small  quantity  of 
what  I  take  to  be  the  titanite,  or  ferruginous  oxide. 

Specimens  of  the  greater  part  of  the  minerals  that  have  been  de- 
scribed above  will  be  found  in  the  collection  which  is  placed  in  the 
hands  of  government.  To  procure  every  one  of  those,  which  have 
been  described  as  occurring  in  the  State,  if  not  impossible,  would  re- 
quire so  much  of  time  and  expense,  that  I  have  not  felt  authorized  to 
attempt  it  without  special  directions. 

Theoretical  Considerations. 

The  prevailing  opinion  among  geologists  until  recently  has  been 
that  mica  slate  and  all  the  older  primary  rocks  have  been  deposited 
from  a  chemical  solution  of  their  materials  in  water.  But  this  opin- 
ion appears  to  labor  under  insuperable  difficulties.  It  seems  to  me 


350  Scientific  Geology. 

to  be  opposed  by  the  semi-mechanical  character  which  some  of  these 
rocks  'exhibit.  But  waving  this  difficulty,  it  is  impossible  to  con- 
ceive how  the  materials  of  all  these  rocks  could  have  been  held  in 
solution  by  all  the  waters  on  and  in  the  globe ;  since  the  earths  that 
form  them  are  scarcely  soluble  at  all  in  water.  Yet  even  allowing 
such  a  solution  possible,  by  what  unheard  of  chemistry  was  it,  that 
so  many  distinct  minerals  as  enter  into  the  composition  of  these  rocks, 
or  occur  disseminated  in  them,  should  have  been  crystalized  at  the 
same  instant  ?  The  supposition  is  opposed  by  all  that  we  know  of 
the  crystalization  of  different  substances  in  the  laboratory  in  the  same 
solvent.  For  they  crystalize  in  succession,  not  simultaneously.  But 
we  know  that  the  melted  matter  of  a  furnace,  if  slowly  cooled 
will  separate  into  different  compounds ;  and  the  same  result  takes 
place  in  fused  basalts,  and  in  the  lava  of  existing  volcanoes.  Surely 
then,  it  seems  to  me  that  nature  and  art  both  teach  us  that  analogous 
cases,  of  crystalization  in  the  rocks  must  have  resulted  from  igneous 
fusion.  But  on  the  other  hand,  the  foliated  structure  of  the  stratified 
primary  rocks,  proves  that  water  must  have  been  concerned  in  their 
formation  ;  and  they  could  never  have  been  in  a  state  of  complete  fu- 
sion. I  am  inclined,  therefore,  to  the  theory  which  supposes  that  they 
were  originally  mechanically  deposited  from  water,  like  the  existing 
secondary  and  tertiary  rocks,  and  that  they  have  subsequently  been 
subjected  to  such  a  degree  of  heat  as  enabled  their  materials  to  enter  into 
a  crystalline  arrangement,  without  destroying  their  structure.  That 
the  two  things  are  compatible,  seems  probable  from  the  change  of 
bulk  produced  on  solid  bodies  by  slight  changes  of  temperature, 
showing  a  motion  among  the  particles;  from  the  changes  of  crystal- 
ization that  sometimes  takes  place  in  solid  glass ;  from  the  columnar 
structure  assumed  by  certain  sandstones  when  in  contact  with  trap 
rocks  ;  and  from  the  experiments  of  Dr.  Macculloch,  who  "  proved 
that  every  metal  can  completely  change  its  crystalline  arrangement 
while  solid,  and  many  of  them  at  very  low  temperatures."*  This 
theory  also  explains  why  it  is  that  the  primary  and  transition  rocks 
become  less  and  less  crystalline  the  higher  we  ascend  in  the  series : 
for  the  higher  they  are,  the  farther  they  lie  from  the  source  of  heat. 
This  theory,  however,  does  not  suppose  that  all  cases  of  crystalline 
structure  in  rocks  has  been  the  result  of  fusion :  for  limestone  and 
quartz  rock  might  have  been  deposited  from  aqueous  solution.  But 

*  System  of  Geology,  Vol.  1.  p.  190. 


Theoretical  Considerations.  351 

if  we  suppose  the  source  of  heat  to  be  in  the  interior  of  the  earth,  it 
must  have  operated  more  or  less  on  every  layer  in  the  earth's  crust : 
and,  therefore,  if  this  theory  be  true,  probably  all  the  older  rocks  have 
been  more  or  less  modified  by  heat.  That  the  crust  of  the  globe  has 
been  subject  to  the  action  of  powerful  and  long  continued  heat,  it 
seems  to  me  no  one  acquainted  with  geology  in  its  present  state  can 
doubt. 

According  to  the  theory  just  described,  (I  have  not  space  fully  to 
defend  and  illustrate  it,  but  Dr.  Macculloch  has  done  it  in  his  System 
of  Geology,)  argillaceous  slate  is  nothing  but  shale,  which  has  been 
subject  to  heat,  and  perhaps  increased  pressure :  quartz  rock  may  have 
resulted  entirely  from  aqueous  deposition ;  or  it  may  have  been  subse- 
quently indurated  by  heat.  Between  mica  slate  and  micaceous  sand- 
stone, there  is  a  most  striking  analogy:  indeed,  it  is  no  easy  matter  to 
distinguish  by  the  eye  between  the  specimen  of  sandstone  No.  177. 
from  Northampton,  near  a  mass  of  trap,  and  several  specimens  of  mica 
slate.  The  same  is  true  of  the  micaceous  sandstone  near  Turner's 
falls,  which  are  also  in  the  vicinity  of  trap.  The  supposed  origin  of 
the  other  stratified  primary  rocks,  I  shall  point  out  in  treating  of 
them. 

As  to  the  elevation  and  dislocation  of  the  strata  of  rocks,  particular- 
ly the  primary,  I  shall  say  more  in  another  place.  But  the  manner 
in  which  the  numerous  flexures  and  contortions  which  their  laminae 
present,  were  produced,  deserves  consideration  in  this  connec- 
tion ;  for  these  are  more  common  in  our  mica  slate  than  in  any  other 
rock  ;  not  even  excepting  gneiss. 

These  curvatures  may  have  been  produced  before  or  subsequent  to 
the  consolidation  of  the  rock.  I  have  already  pointed  out  the  striking 
resemblance  between  the  slightly  undulating  surface  of  some  of  the 
shales  in  the  new  red  sandstone,  and  the  gentle  ridges  and  depressions 
at  the  bottom  of  almost  every  large  river  arid  pond,  or  on  the  margin  of 
the  ocean.  And  if  argillaceous  and  mica  slate  had  that  origin  which 
is  supposed  by  the  preceding  theory,  the  analogous  irregularities,  so 
frequent  on  the  surface  of  argillaceous  and  mica  slate,  may  be  referred 
to  the  same  cause  as  that  which  produced  them  on  the  shale. 

By  comparing  the  sections  which  I  have  given  of  flexures  in  the 
newest  tertiary  formation,  with  those  in  our  mica  slate,  it  will  be  seen 
that  the  latter  might  have  had  their  origin  in  the  former,  if  we  admit 
the  theory  that  has  been  advanced  of  the  origin  of  mica  slate.  It  maybe 
difficult,  indeed,  to  account  for  these  flexures  in  the  clay  :  but  that  they 


3551  Scientific  Geology. 

were  produced  by  some  mechanical  force,  and  not  by  igneous  agen- 
cy, I  think  is  most  manifest.  And  it  seems  to  me  that  a  power  which 
is  adequate  to  the  production  of  the  cases  which  I  have  described,  is 
sufficient  to  account  for  a  large  proportion  of  the  minor  flexures  and 
contortions  existing  in  clay  slate,  and  mica  slate  ;  although  I  am  not 
aware  that  any  examples  similar  to  those  which  I  have  described,  ex- 
ist on  the  records  of  geology. 

So  much  for  flexures  and  contortions  previous  to  the  consolidation 
of  the  rocks.  But  these  causes  will  not  explain  all  the  cases  that  oc- 
cur. Sometimes  we  find  alternating  layers  of  quartz  in  the  bent  lam- 
inae ;  and  it  would  seem  that  the  rock  must  have  been  soft,  when  such 
flexures  took  place.  If  we  suppose  the  existence  of  a  considerable 
degree  of  plasticity  in  the  layers,  mere  gravity  (if  the  laminae  were 
in  an  inclined  position,)  would  have  produced  flexures  in  them.  In 
other  cases  the  force  which  elevated  the  strata  might  have  operated 
unequally  and  produced  a  similar  result :  though,  as  I  shall  attempt 
to  show  hereafter,  there  is  reason  to  believe  that  this  force  sometimes 
acted  laterally  rather  than  from  the  interior  of  the  earth.  And  some 
flexures  and  contortions  are  explicable  only  by  supposing  such  lateral 
pressure. 

Some  facts  lead  us  to  suppose  that  mere  moisture  operates  power- 
fully, deep  in  the  earth,  to  render  the  strata  flexible.  Some  limestones 
and  sandstones  exhibit  this  flexibility;  and  even  granite  in  some  deep 
quarries,  is  easily  impressible.  Hence  the  requisite  plasticity  may 
have  resulted  in  many  cases  from  water.  But  if  the  primary  stratifi- 
ed rocks  have  been  partially  fused,  we  have  another  source  from  which 
this  plastic  state  might  have  resulted. 

11.    TALCOSE    SLATE. 

I  shall  include  in  this  formation  the  three  rocks  represented  on  the 
map  under  the  names  of  talcose  slate,  chlorite  slate,  and  steatite.  My 
principal  reason  for  adopting  this  arrangement,  is,  that  in  the  works 
of  some  of  the  ablest  mineralogists,  talc,  chlorite,  and  steatite,  are  but 
varieties  of  the  same  species :  And  when  mineralogists  are  not  agreed 
that  minerals  are  specifically  distinct  from  one  another,  it  seems  to  me 
improper  for  geologists  to  regard  those  minerals  as  sufficiently  charac- 
teristic of  different  rocks,  unless  such  rocks  are  widely  diverse  in  their 
relative  situation  and  structure.  But  in  the  district  under  considera- 
tion, it  happens  that  the  rocks  mentioned  above,  are,  for  the  most 


•* 

Varieties  of  Talcose  Slate.  353 

part,  obviously  members  of  the  same  formation,  using  this  term  too  in 
a  very  limited  sense. 

Dr.  Macculloch  describes  talcose  slate  as  differing  from  mica  slate 
only  in  the  substitution  of  talc  for  mica:  that  is,  it  consists  essentially 
of  quartz  and  talc.  It  is  this  variety  that  constitutes  the  principal 
portion  of  talcose  slate  in  Massachusetts.  But  other  varieties  are 
found,  as  the  following  description  will  show. 

MineraTogical  Characters. 

\.  Schistose  Talc.  This  variety  is  more  or  less  distinctly  foliated, 
and  varies  in  color  from  blackish  green  to  very  light  green,  or  green- 
ish white.  (Nos.  789  to  793.)  It  is  the  least  abundant  of  any  of  the 
varieties. 

2.  Steatite.     This  is  obviously  only  a  scaly  and  semi-granular  or 
partially  indurated  variety  of  talc.     "  We  see,"  says  Beaudont,    "by 
these  analyses,  [which  he  had  just  quoted,]  that  the  steatites   differ 
from  talc  only  by  the  presence  ofwater.     These  substances  also  occur 
together  and  in  precisely  the  same  geological  position.     They  appear 
even  to  mix  in  all  proportions,  and  in  some  suits   of  specimens,  there 
seems  to  be  a  passage  from  one  substance  to  the  other."*     These  re- 
marks  correspond  exactly  with  the  steatite  of  Massachusetts;  al- 
though we  have  some  beds  of  steatite  which  are   associated  with  but 
a  small  quantity  of  foliated  talc.     But  in  general,  these   beds   consti- 
tute a  part  of  the  talcose  slate  formation. 

The  color  of  this  variety  is  usually  light  gray.  In  some  quarries 
however,  (as  in  Rowe  and  Zoar,)  it  is  a  delicate  green  ;  and  in  such 
cases  the  rock  is  obviously  nothing  but  foliated  talc,  which  is  so  com- 
pact that  it  forms  a  fine  stone  for  economical  purposes.  In  the  quar- 
ries the  green  and  the  gray  varieties  alternate  ;  although  there  is  no 
seam  between  them  ;  and  perfectly  sound  blocks  may  be  obtained, 
which  are  partly  gray  and  partly  green.  (Nos.  794  to  805.) 

3.  Chlorite  Slate.     Sometimes  this  variety  is  foliated  and  of  a  dark 
green  color  ;  and  in  such  cases  I  know  of  no  means  of  distinguish- 
ing it  from  talc,  except  perhaps  by  its  darker  color.     Generally  it  is 
slaty  in  this  region,  and  very  minutely  scaly.     In  this  case  it  proba- 
bly owes  its  slaty  structure  to  a  small  proportion  of  quartz  which  it 
contains.     But  the  chlorite  slate  of  the  Hoosac  mountain  range  is  re- 

*  Mineralogie,  Tome  ii,  p.  212. 

45 

i 


354  Scientific  Geology. 

markably  pure  and  I  may  add,  remarkably  regular  and  continuous  in 
its  slaty  structure.     (Nos.  806  to  816.) 

4.  Quartz  and  Talc.     In  this  variety  the  talc  is  usually  scaly,  and 
the  quartz  arenaceous.     Sometimes,   however,  the  latter  is  coarsely 
granular,  or  hyaline.     When  the  talc  predominates,  and  the  quartz  is 
in  minute  grains,  they  form  the  whetstone  slate.     (Nos.  817  to  825.) 

In  Smithfield,  Rhode  Island,  this  rock  is  extensively  quarried  for 
whetstones.  I  learn  from  Dr.  Webb,  that  the  number  annually  quar- 
ried at  that  place  and  sent  away,  can  hardly  be  less  than  5000  dozen. 
Indeed,  so  important  has  this  manufactory  become,  that  the  General 
Assembly  of  Rhode  Island  have  passed  an  act  to  regulate  the  inspec- 
tion and  sale  of  the  whetstones.  It  is  not  true,  as  stated  by  Mr. 
Eaton,  that  all  our  whetstone  quarries  are  in  talcose  slate:  for  those 
in  Norwich  and  Enfield  are  in  decided  mica  slate. 

This  rock  is  employed,  also,  as  a  substitute  for  fire  bricks  in  the 
lining  of  furnaces. 

5.  Quartz,    Talc,  and  Mica.     This  variety   may  be   considered, 
either  as  mica  slate,  which  takes  into  its  composition  more  or  less  of 
talc,  or  as  talcose  slate,  containing  mica.     Probably  but  little   of  our 
talcose  slate  can  be  found,  that  does  not  embrace  a  small  proportion  of 
mica :  but  talc  and  mica  often  resemble   each  other  so   exceedingly, 
that  it  is  very  difficult  to  say  whether   the   rock  is  talcose   or    mica 
slate.     I  have  felt  this  difficulty  most  in  relation  to  a  considerable  part 
of  the  slaty  rock  in  Berkshire  county.     And  although  I   have  there 
marked  no  talcose  slate,  yet  I  hardly  expect  that  all  geologists   will 
follow  my  example.     (Nos.  826  to  831.) 

The  4th  and  5th  varieties  constitute  the  greater  part  of  the  talcose 
slate  formation. 

6.  Talc  and  Carbonate  of  Lime.     Sometimes  talcose  slate  lies  next 
to  limestone  as  in  Whitingham,  Vt.  and  near  the  junction  of  the  two 
minerals,  they  a  re  mixed  together.     But  the  variety  is  hardly  worth 
naming,     (No.  832.) 

7.  Talc,  Quartz,  and   Carbonate  of  Iron.     It  might  be  more  pro- 
per,  perhaps,   to    describe   the   carbonate   of  iron   as   disseminated 
through  the  talcose  slate  ;  though  the  iron  most  commonly  occurs  in 
the  variety,  No.  4.     And  this  mineral,  by  its  decomposition,  imparts 
a  character  to  this   rock   which  will  be   noticed  every  where.     It 
abounds  in  spots  of  the  color  of  iron  rust,  and  this  is   particularly 
the  case  where  masses  of  quartz  exist  of  considerable  size.     If  I  mis- 


Topography  of  Talcose  Slate.  355 

take  not,  it  is  in  this  decomposed  carbonate  of  iron,  that  native  gold 
occurs.     (Nos.  833,  834.) 

8.  Talc,  Quartz,  and  Hornblende.      The  latter  mineral  is  in  dis- 
tinct though  imperfect   crystals,  scattered  through  the  rock ;  but  it 
occurs  in  such  quantity,  and  over  so  great  an  extent  of  country,  that 
it  seems  proper  to  make  this  a  distinct  variety.     It  is  found  along  the 
eastern  margin  of  the  talcose  slate  formation,  near  its.  junction   with 
the  mica  slate  in  Hawley  and  Plainfield  ;  and  it  sometimes  passes  into 
distinct  hornblende  slate.     (Nos.  835  to  839,) 

9.  Talc,   Feldspar,  and  Quartz.       This  variety  is  intermediate 
between  talcose  slate  and  gneiss ;  and  differs  from  the  latter  rock  only 
by  the  substitution  of  talc  for  mica.     It  is  obviously,  however,  a  rock 
more  mechanical  in  its  character   than  gneiss  ;  the  feldspar  existing 
in  coarse  grains.     This  description  applies  particularly  to  this  rock 
in  Smithfield,  R.  I.  (No.  840.)     But  in  Hawley  the   feldspar  is  scat- 
tered in  crystalline  masses  through  the  rock,  forming  a  distinct  por- 
phyritic,  talcose  slate;  (No.  841.)  and  it  is  almost  destitute  of  strati- 
fication. 

Topography  of  the  Talcose  Slate. 

The  principal  deposit  of  this   rock   in  Massachusetts,  is  in  the 
midst  of  the  mica  slate  of  the  Hoosac  mountain  range.     It  occupies 
a  very  elevated  portion  of  that  range,  and  is  there  obviously  one  of 
the  oldest  of  the  stratified  rocks.     I  have  traced  this  rock  20   or  30 
miles  into  Vermont,  where  it  is  associated  with  limestone  and  gneiss 
on  the  eastern  slope  of  the  Green  Mountains ;  and  probably  it  extends 
much  farther  north.     In  Massachusetts  it  is  most  perfectly  developed 
in  its  characters  in  Hawley  and  Plainfield  ;  where  it  is  several  miles 
wide.     Proceeding  southerly  this  formation  becomes  narrower,  and 
at  length  appears  to  terminate  near  the  southern  part   of  Becket;  at 
least  1  have  not  observed  it  farther  south,  and  between    Chester   and 
Becket  it  is  only  a  few  rods   wide,  alternating  with  mica  slate  arid 
hornblende  slate.     The  chlorite  slate  forms  a  narrow  stratum  along 
the  western  margin  of  the  talcose  slate,  and  I  have  not  observed  it 
quite  as  far  south  as  the  talcose  slate.     But  northerly  I  have  traced 
it  as  far  as  Whitingham,  Vt.,  although  I  have  not  seen  it  in  every 
place  where  I  have  crossed  the  Hoosac  range.     But  being  a  remarka- 
bly distinct  stratum,  I  have  little  doubt  that  it  does  extend  as  far,  at 


356  Scientific   Geology. 

least,  as  it  is  represented  on  the  map,  and  that  it  is  continuous ;  since 
it  is  so  narrow  that  it  might  in  many  places  easily  be  hidden  by  di- 
luvium. 

I  can  have  but  little  doubt  that  this  stratum  of  talcose  slate,  like  the 
mica  slate  with  which  it  is  associated,  passes  laterally  into  hornblende 
slate  and  gneiss :  but  I  have  nothing  further  to  add  to  the  remarks 
already  made  on  this  subject. 

Several  beds  of  steatite  are  connected  with  this  range  of  talcose 
slate:  viz.  one  in  Marlborough,  Vt. ;  one  in  Rowe  ;  one  in  Zoar ; 
one  in  Windsor ;  one  in  Middlefield ;  and  farther  south,  nearly  on 
the  line  of  the  strata  prolonged,  we  find  a  bed  in  Blanford,  and  at 
least  two  in  Granville.  The- bed  of  this  rock  in  Hinsdale,  that  in 
Cheshire,  and  that  in  Savoy,  I  have  not  visited ;  but  as  the  gneiss  and 
mica  slate  of  that  region  frequently  passes  into  talcose  slate,  not  im- 
probably they  are  connected  with  this  rock.  The  bed  in  the  north- 
west part  of  Windsor,  however,  I  know  from  examination  to  be  in 
gneiss  ;  and  perhaps  those  just  mentioned  are  in  the  same  rock.  In 
Zoar  we  find  mica  slate,  talcose  slate,  steatite,  and  serpentine,  inter- 
stratified.  The  most  easterly  bed  in  Windsor  appears  to  be  embraced 
in  the  chlorite  slate.  That  in  Middlefield  has  talcose  s^ate  on  the 
east  side  and  hornblende  slate  on  the  west.  That  in  Blanford,  one 
and  a  half  miles  southwest  of  the  meeting  house,  is  inmicaslate;  but 
on  one  side  a  huge  vein  of  granite  lies  in  contact  with  the  steatite. 
The  bed  in  Smithfield,  R.  I.,  is  in  talcose  slate. 

With  respecti  to  the  narrow  stratum  of  talcose  slate  marked  on  the 
map  in  the  southeast  part  of  Hampden  county,  and  passing  through 
Stafford,  Ct.,  Monson,  &c.,  I  feel  quite  ignorant.  I  have  satisfied  my- 
self only  that  it  lies  between  the  mica  slate  and  the  gneiss.  The  spe- 
cimens will  show  that  it  produces  a  good  lining  for  furnaces.  To  this 
formation  I  refer  the  steatite  inSomers,  Ct.,  although  I  have  not  visi- 
ted the  quarry. 

The  steatite  beds  marked  in  Shutesbury,  Wendell,  and  New  Salem, 
are  surrounded  by  gneiss  of  the  most  decided  character.  That  in 
New  Salem  contains  serpentine,  also,  of  a  black  color.  The  bed  of 
serpentine  exhibited  in  Pelham,  is  a  mixture  of  serpentine  and  talc  ; 
and  is  marked  as  serpentine,  only  because  that  mineral  predominates. 
It  forms  a  bed  in  gneiss. 

The  bed  of  steatite  in  Groton  occurs  in  the  Worcester  range  of 
mica  slate.  But  its  situation  and  extent  have  been  described  in  the 
first  part  of  my  Report. 

In  Cumberland  and  Smithfield,  Rhode  Island,  two  stripes  of  talcose 


Topography  of  Talcose  Slate.  357 

slate  are  shown  on  the  map,  separated  by  a  range  of  granite.  I  am 
not  sure  that  the  granite  will  be  found  extending  uninterruptedly 
through  these  towns  as  it  is  represented  on  the  map.  But  in  crossing 
that  region,  I  have  always  found  one  or  two  large  beds  of  granite  or 
sienite ;  and  probably  these  rocks  exist  there  in  several  beds  in  the 
talcose  slate  and  mica  slate.  Yet  this  alternation  could  not  conven- 
iently be  shown  on  the  map. 

On  the  west  side  of  the  granite  in  Smithfield  we  find  a  peculiar 
kind  of  mica  slate,  (No.  675,)  and  a  talcose  slate,  which  has  been  al- 
ready described  as  a  whetstone  slate.  The  extent  of  surface  occupied 
by  this  variety — which  is  well  characterised  talcose  slate — I  am  un- 
able definitely  to  state  ;  though  it  cannot  be  but  a  few  miles  in  any 
direction  unless  it  be  towards  the  southwest. 

In  the  east  part  of  Smithfield,  and  on  the  east  side  of  the  gran- 
ite range  or  bed,  the  slate  is  often  distinctly  talcose  ;  especially  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  soapstone  quarry,  near  the  village  called  Maysville 
But  as  we  cross  the  strata  towards  the  southeast,  the  characters  be- 
come very  obscure  and  perplexing.  In  one  place  the  rock  can  hard- 
ly be  distinguished  from  argillaceous  slate  ;  in  another  it  greatly  re- 
sembles gray  wacke  slate  ;  in  another  it  is  distinct  chlorite  slate ;  and 
in  another  it  becomes  hornblende  slate.  Epidote  too  forms  an  ingre- 
dient in  a  large  proportion  of  the  rock.  In  short,  this  series  of  slaty 
rocks  is  one  of  the  most  perplexing  with  which  the  geologist  meets. 
It  extends  over  nearly  the  whole  of  Cumberland,  where  it  is  inter- 
stratified  with  quartz  rock,  and  is  succeeded  on  the  east  by  quartz 
rock  and  graywacke.  The  strata  of  all  these  rocks  run  nearly  north- 
east and  southwest,  and  dip  to  the  southeast.  Taken  as  a  whole,  I  am 
inclined  to  denominate  the  predominant  part  of  the  series  talco-chlorit- 
ic  slate.  Nor  can  I  resist  the  impression,  that  the  whole  series  is 
the  graywacke  slate,  which,  by  the  agency  of  heat  has  been  partially 
converted  into  argillaceous  slate,  talcose  slate,  chlorite  slate,  and 
hornblende  slate ,  the  heat  not  having  been  powerful  enough  com- 
pletely to  accomplish  the  transmutation.  And  the  contiguity  of 
granite  and  sienite  would  furnish  the  heat  which  this  hypothesis 
demands. 

But  whatever  may  have  been  the  origin  of  this  series  of  rocks,  a 
perusal  of  Von  Oeynhausen  and  Von  Dechen's  paper  on  the  junction 
of  the  granite  and  killas  rocks  of  Cornwall,  in  England  has  led  me  to 
the  opinion,  that  they  greatly  resemble  the  killas  of  that  country.* 

*  Philosophical  Magazine,  Vol.  5,  N,  Y.  p.  161. 


358  Scientific  Geology. 

The  bed  of  steatite  in  this  talco-chlorite  slate  in  Smithfield,  is  not  of 
a  very  interesting  character  in  an  economical  point  of  view.  That 
which  is  gray  colored  is  so  filled  with  brown  spar  as  to  be  almost 
useless.  A  greenish  scaly  variety,  (chlorite  slate  ?)  however,  occurs, 
which  is  interesting.  Fine  foliated  greenish  talc,  also,  abounds  here. 
Decided  chlorite  slate  is  likewise  abundant  at  the  quarry  and  in  the 
vicinity.  The  steatite  lies  about  half  a  mile  west  of  Blackstone  river 
and  of  Maysville. 

Dip,  Direction,  aad  Character  of  the  Strata. 

It  is  hardly  necessary  to  say,  that  this  rock  is  always  schistose  in 
its  structure  ;  though  in  the  most  compact  soapstone,  both  the  slaty 
and  stratified  structures  are  nearly  obliterated.  Yet  in  some  portions 
of  the  bed,  they  are  usually  visible.  In  both  these  structures  this  rock 
corresponds  very  nearly  with  mica  slate ;  except  that  the  former  is 
less  contorted  than  the  latter.  Chlorite  slate  is  particularly  remarka- 
ble in  the  Hoosac  range,  for  the  evenness  and  beauty  of  its  layers,  com- 
paring in  this  respect  with  argillaceous  slate.  In  both  structures,  so 
far  as  I  have  observed,  the  dividing  planes  correspond :  and  I  have 
never  noticed  a  double  set  of  strata  seams. 

Dip  and  Direction  of  the  Strata  in  the  Hoosac   Mountain  Range* 

Direction.  Dip. 
Florida,  eastern  slope 
of  Hoosac  Mountain  :  the  talcose 

slate  alternating  with  mica  slate.  N.  and  S.  70°  to  90°  East 
Middlefield,  Do.  70°  to  80°  East. 
Plainfield,  Hawley,  Charlemont, 
Rowe,  Zoar,  Cummingtofi,  Ches- 
ter, (west  part.)  and  Worthington,  N.  and  S.  nearly  90°  East. 
Somerset,  Vt.  (Iron  Mine,)  Do.  20°  to  90°  East. 
Whitingham,  Vt.  (Limestone  beds)  E.  and  W.  30°  West. 
Rowe,  (north  part)  Do.  South,  small. 
Whitingham,  Vt.  (Chlorite  Slate,)  N.  and  S.  nearly  90°  East 
Peru,  (Do.)  Do.  perpendicular. 
Windsor.  (Do.)  Do.  between  70°  and  80° East. 

It  will  be  obvious  from  the  above  statements,  that  the  strata  of  al- 
most all  this  deposit  stand  nearly  at  right  angles  to  the  horizon. 
Very  different  is  the  case  with  the  talcose  slate  in  Smithfield,  Rhode 


Minerals  in  Talcose  Slate.  359 

Island,  Its  predominant  direction  is  nearly  S.  E.  and  N.  W.  and  its 
dip  upon  an  average,  only  about  10°  to  15°  N.  E.  Indeed,  in  many 
places  it  is  nearly  horizontal.  The  talco  chloride  slate  in  the  east 
part  of  Smith  field  and  Cumberland,  runs  generally  about  15°  or  20° 
west  of  south  and  east  of  north,  and  its  dip  is  20°  30°  southeast. 

The  bed  of  steatite  in  Groton  dips  to  the  southeast  at  an  angle  of 
about  30°. 

Mineral  Contents. 

This  rock  in  the  Hoosac  mountain  range,  must  be  regarded  as  a 
metaliferous  deposit.  Perhaps  the  most  important  metal  which  it 
contains  is  iron.  This  is  found  principally  in  two  places,  viz.  in 
Somerset  Vt.  and  in  Hawley,  Mass.  Smaller  masses  have  been  no- 
ticed in  other  places :  but  not  in  sufficient  quantity  to  be  of  interest  in 
an  economical  point  of  view.  At  all  these  localities,  the  ore  is  found 
in  distinct  beds  in  the  strata  ;  and  sometimes  it  has  a  slaty  structure, 
having  every  appearance  of  a  contemporaneous  origin  with  the  rock. 

I  have  already  remarked,  in  the  first  part  of  my  Report,  that  the 
iron  ore  in  Hawley  embraces  two  species  the  magnetic  oxide,  and 
the  micaceous  oxide.  Both  of  them  are  of  fine  quality.  The  mica- 
ceous oxide,  especially,  is  as  beautiful  as  any  which  has  been  found  on 
the  globe,  as  the  specimens  will  show,  (No.  844.)  This  bed  does  not 
occur,  as  is  usually  stated,  at  the  junction  of  the  talcose  and  mica 
slate;  but  two  or  three  miles  within  the  talcose  slate — that  is,  reckon- 
ing from  its  eastern  margin. 

The  most  valuable  ore  at  Somerset  is  the  magnetic  oxide.  With 
this,  however,  is  associated,  often  in  the  same  bed,  the  hydrate  of  iron. 
Several  of  these  beds  occur  in  the  vicinity,  and  sometimes  they  are 
connected  with  dolomite.  The  magnetic  oxide  is  generally  granular, 
and  often  easily  crumbled  into  powder,  which  possesses  so  much 
brilliancy  that  it  has  been  used  is  a  substitute  smalt.  It  is  so  highly 
magnetic  that  it  strongly  attracts  the  fragments  of  the  ore  that  have 
been  broken  off,  and  exhibits  decided  polarity ;  so  as  to  form  very 
fine  specimens  of  the  natural  magnet.  (No.  845.) 

The  largest  mass  of  iron  ore  in  the  region  that  I  have  undertaken 
to  describe,  occurs  in  Cumberland,  Rhode  Island.  It  is  chiefly  the 
magnetic  oxide,  and  lies  two  rniles  northeast  of  the  center  of  this 
place.  But  no  rock  is  visible  for  a  considerable  distance  around  this 
large  hill  of  iron.  Sienitic  granite  occurs,  however,  not  far  remote  in 
one  or  two  directions,  and  so  does  talco-chloritic  slate.  And  upon  the 


360  Scientific  Geology. 

whole,  my  belief  is  that  the  iron  is  connected  with  the  latter  rock. 
For  the  large  deposites  of  this  ore  in  other  countries  most  frequently 
occur  in  the  older  schistose  rocks,  and  rarely  in  granite.*  In  Massa- 
ch^usetts  too,  no  mineral  is  so  widely  disseminated  in  talcose  slate  as 
magnetic  oxide  of  iron. 

A  part  of  the  Cumberland  ore  is  beautifully  porphyritic  by  the 
presence  of  crystalline  masses  of  white  feldspar.  In  another  portion 
we  find  av^ineral  disseminated,  which  appears  to  be  the  ferro-siliciate 
of  manganese.  Imbedded  noddles  of  what  appears  to  be  serpentine 
are  also  founM  in  the  ore:  and  these  substances  probably  do  not  a  lit- 
tle injury  to  the  ore.  For  I  was  told  it  did  not  yield  more  than  25 
or  30  per  cent  of  iron. 

In  the  first  part  of  my  Report,  I  have  given  a  full  account  of  the 
native  gold  found  in  connection  with  this  iron.  Since  that  time  it  has 
been  ascertained  that  the  common  gangue  of  the  gold  is  the  hydrate 
of  iron :  but  whether  enough  of  the  metal  exists  in  it  to  render  it  an 
object  to  separate  the  gold,  has  not  been  determined.  Usually  quartz 
exists  in  connection  with  the  hydrate  of  iron.  This  is  porous  and 
contains  the  hydrate,  and  exactly  resembles  the  gangue  in  which  gold 
has  been  found  in  the  southern  States.  For  comparison  I  have 
placed  specimens  from  Somerset  and  from  Virginia  in  the  collection. 
This  porous  quartz  and  the  hydrate  of  iron  are  very  common 
throughout  the  talcose  slate  of  Hoosac  Mountain  ;  and  the  iron  re- 
sults, if  I  mistake  not,  as  already  mentioned,  from  the  decomposition 
of  the  carbonate.  Whether  the  hydrate  at  Somerset  had  such  an  ori- 
gin, I  have  no  means  of  ascertaining ;  but  if  ever  gold  should  be 
found  at  other  places  in  this  formation,  I  predict  it  will  occur  in  con- 
nection with  this  hydrate  of  iron. 

Q,uartz  and  hydrate  of  iron  then,  appear  to  be  the  immediate  ma- 
trix of  the  gold  of  Somerset ;  and  talcose  slate  the  rock  in  which  the 
quartz  and  iron  are  contained.  It  is  rare  that  we  can  at  once  trace 
this  metal  so  satisfactorily  to  its  original  bed.  But  so  far  as  can  be 
judged  by  specimens,  we  may  expect  that  such  will  be  found  to  be  the 
situation  of  the  gold  in  the  Southern  States.  For  those  specimens 
contain  quartz,  hydrate  of  iron,  and  talcose  slate.  (Nos.  848,  849,850.) 
This  geological  situation  of  the  Vermont  gold  corresponds  re- 
markably with  its  situation  in  other  countries  ;  particularly  in  Brazil. 
It  is  described  as  occurring  there,  disseminated  in  a  rock,  called  by 

*  Beudant's  Mineralogie,  Vol.  I.  p.  622. 


Vermont  Gold.  361 

Al.  Brongniart,  Siderocriste,  (Eisenglimmerscheiftr  of  Eschwege,) 
and  composed  of  quartz  with  the  specular  and  magnetic  oxides  of 
iron.*  These  are  the  two  species  of  iron  ore  that  occur  at  Hawley: 
and  it  ought  to  be  recollected,  that  in  the  vicinity  of  the  iron  mine  in 
that  place,  quartz  predominates  so  much,  that  I  have  described  the 
rock  as  a  variety  of  quartz  rock.  It  is  said,  indeed,  that  the  sidero- 
criste  is  connected  in  Brazil  with  mica  slate.  But  in  the  rock  at  Som- 
erset mica  occurs ;  and  I  am  by  no  means  confident  that  some  geolo- 
gists would  not  regard  it  as  mica  slate ;  and  besides,  the  mica  and 
talcose  slates  are  interstratified,  and  otherwise  more  intimately  mixed; 
so  that  I  am  disposed  to  believe  that  the  formation  which  I  have  called 
talcose  slate,  in  Massachusetts  and  Vermont,  corresponds  to  that  con- 
taining gold  in  Brazil,  as  nearly  as  could  be  expected  in  countries  so 
remote.  And  although  at  Somerset  the  gold  has  been  found  chiefly 
in  the  hydrate  .of  iron,  yet  it  probably  exists  also  in  the  magnetic  ox- 
ide, and  not  improbably  in  the  micaceous  oxide  at  Hawley.  The  fer- 
ruginous breccia  that  covers  the  siderocriste  in  Brazil,  and  probably 
contains  platina  and  diamonds  as  well  as  gold,  has  not  to  my  knowl- 
edge been  found  in  Vermont  or  Massachusetts  :  yet  it  may  be  found 
still,  as  very  few  researches  have  been  made  on  this  subject. 

We  ought  to  guard  against  the  idea  that  all  gold  must  occur  in  tal- 
cose slate,  because  we  know  that  some  does  ;  and  because  the  happy 
suggestion  of  Mr.  Eaton  on  this  subject  led  to  the  discovery  of  that 
at  Somerset.  For  veins  of  quartz  containing  this  metal  traverse  other 
rocks  in  France,  Peru,  and  Mexico.  They  occur  in  granite,  gneiss, 
mica  slate,  argillaceous  slate,  and  talcose  slate,  t  Hence  we  may  find 
it  in  all  these  rocks,  which  are  so  intimately  associated  in  Massachu- 
setts and  Vermont. 

Another  interesting  ore  in  the  talcose  slate  of  the  Hoosac  Moun- 
tain range,  is  manganese.  Tt  exists  in  beds  or  interstratified  layers 
in  the  slate,  precisely  like  the  ores  of  iron  above  described.  These 
beds  are  found  in  Plainfield,  and  several  of  them  occur  near  one  an- 
other, at  two  principal  places,  which  are  represented  on  the  map:  that 
is,  we  find  smaller  and  larger  beds  within  a  few  feet  or  rods  of  one 
another.  These  beds  are  rarely  more  than  three  or  four  feet  thick. 
Their  surface  is  black  or  dark  gray,  apparently  the  common  peroxide 

*  See   Tableau  des  Terrains,  &c.  p.  329  :    Classification  des  Roches,  p.  83  :  and 
Dictionnaire  D'Historie  Naturelle,  Art.  Or. 
tDictionnaire  D'Historie  Naturelle,  Art.  Or. 
46 


362  Scientific  Geology. 

of  manganese.  But  on  breaking  open  the  mass,  we  usually  find  its  in- 
terior to  be  of  a  beautiful  rose  red.  This  ore  has  been  recently  an- 
alysed by  Dr.  Thompson,  and  found  to  be  a  bi-silicate  of  manganese. 
In  the  stone  walls,  a  little  northeast  of  the  meeting  house  in  Cum- 
mington,  numerous  large  blocks  of  this  ore  are  found,  which  were 
probably  transported  thither  from  the  beds  above  described,  by  a  dilu- 
vial current  from  the  north :  though  to  reach  this  spot,  they  must 
have  passed  over  a  deep  valley,  through  which  a  branch  of  Westfield 
river  now  runs. 

One  never  meets  with  this  bisilicate  of  manganese,  which  is  not 
coated  over  with  the  black  oxide.  I  hence  infer  that  atmospheric 
agencies  produce  this  conversion.  As  the  bi-silicate  is  rare  in  other 
parts  of  the  world,  (indeed  Dr.  Thompson  legards  this  as  a  new  spe- 
cies, distinct  from  the  siliceous  oxide,  on  account  of  the  double  pro- 
portion of  silex  which  it  contains,)  its  great  abundance  in  Plainfield 
and  Cummington  is  a  matter  of  joy  to  mineralogists. 

Connected  with  the  bowlders  of  this  manganese  ore  in  Cumming- 
ton, I  found  small  but  well  characterised  masses  of  carbonate  of  iron. 

The  manner  in  which  the  above  ores  of  iron  and  manganese  occur 
in  the  talcose  slate,  forbid,  it  seems  to  me,  the  supposition  somewhat 
extensively  adopted  of  late,*  that  all  metallic  deposites  in  solid  rocks 
have  resulted  from  sublimation,  through  the  influence  of  the  heat  pro- 
duced by  rocks  of  igneous  origin.  For  although  the  layers  of  the 
slate  are  nearly  perpendicular,  and  therefore  sublimed  matter  might 
easily  rise  to  fill  a  cavity  from  beneath,  yet  there  seems  to  be  no  more 
evidence  that  these  ores  were  thus  introduced,  than  that  the  folia  of 
the  slate  had  such  an  origin  ;  for  the  ores  as  well  as  the  slate  are 
distinctly  foliated,  and  often  both  are  intimately  intermixed.  What 
objection  is  there,  in  such  cases,  against  regarding  metallic  deposites 
as  having  proceeded  from  solution  and  suspension  in  water,  just  as  we 
now  find  iron  and  manganese  forming;  and  subsequently  rendered  com- 
pact and  crystalline  by  the  heat  of  the  unstratified  rocks  ? 

In  the  beds  of  steatite  that  have  been  described,  several  minerals  of 
interest  occur.  Foliated  bitter  spar  exists  in  almost  every  one  of  them; 
especially  at  Middlefield,  Windsor,  Zoar,  and  Marlborough,  Vt.  At 
Middlefield  it  is  sometimes  three  or  four  inches  diameter,  enveloped 
in  masses  of  delicate  green  talc ;  and  is  either  white  or  of  a  salmon  col- 
or, so  as  to  form  elegant  specimens,  as  may  be  seen  in  the  collection 

*  See  an  article  by  A.  L.  Necker's  Philosophical  Magazine,  Sept.  1832.  p.  225. 


Minerals  in  Talcose  Slate.  363 

InZoar  and  Marlbo rough,  and  also  in  connection  with  the  serpentine 
in  Newport,  R.  I.  the  columnar  variety,  called  miasite,  occurs.  In 
Marlborough  and  Newfane,  Vt.  are  found  also  those  insulated  rhom- 
bohedral  crystals,  which  Mr.  Brooke  describes  as  a  new  species,  un- 
der the  name  of  carbonate  of  magnesia  and  iron.  In  the  rhomb  spar 
of  Middlefield,  sometimes  occur  tremolite  and  hepatic  sulphuret  of 
iron.  The  ligniform  and  compact  varieties  of  asbestus  are  found  in 
the  same  steatite  bed.  They  exist  also  in  Zoar,  where  they  are  as- 
sociated with  the  new  mineral  picrosmine.  At  the  soapstone  quarry 
in  the  east  part  of  Windsor,  has  been  found  a  small  quantity  of  chro- 
mate  of  iron  of  good  quality.  Sulphuret  of  molybdenum  is  said  also 
to  have  been  found  in  the  Middlefield  steatite ;  and  the  variety  of 
talc  called  nacrite,  occurs  half  a  mile  west  of  the  meeting  house  in 
that  town. 

No  mineral  is  more  common  at  these  steatite  beds  than  actynolite. 
It  is  in  bladed  crystals,  long  and  slender,  yet  generally  very  distinct, 
being  mostly  six-sided.  It  is  found  at  Middlefield,  Windsor,  Zoar, 
&c.  But  the  finest  specimens  come  from  Blanford,  Mass,  and  New- 
fane,  Vt.  At  the  former  place  it  is  sometimes  in  radiated  masses. 

It  has  been  already  stated  that  imperfect  crystals  of  hornblende  are 
sometimes  disseminated  in  one  variety  of  talcose  slate.  The  finely 
fibrous  hornblende  I  have  also  found  in  quartz  belonging  to  this  same 
rock.  But  the  most  remarkable  variety  of  this  mineral  is  the  fasci- 
ular  variety.  The  laminae,  sometimes  three  or  four  inches  long, 
and  generally  more  or  less  curved,  are  disposed  perpendicularly  to 
the  layers  of  the  slate,  so  that  their  edges  appear  on  the  surface. 
When  that  surface  is  light  colored,  as  in  Nos.  864,  865,  the  distinct- 
ness and  regularity  of  the  fascicular  and  scopiform  groups  of  horn- 
blende are  very  striking.  I  am  disposed  to  believe  this  to  be  a  variety 
of  hornblende  not  described  :  and  certainly  if  it  deserves  a  distinct 
name,  none  can  be  mere  appropriate  than  fasciculite,  under  which  I 
long  ago  described  it  in  the  American  Journal  of  Science. 

The  chlorite  slate  abounds,  throughout  its  whole  extent,  with  dis- 
tinct crystals  of  octahedral  iron  ore.  They  exist  also  in  the  common 
talcose  slate,  but  not  so  frequently.  The  chlorite  slate  in  Windsor, 
also,  near  the  most  eastern  soapstone  quarry,  contains  numerous  crys- 
tals of  the  red  oxide  of  titanium,  imbedded  in  the  feldspar,  or  rather 
in  graphic  granite,  which  frequently  occupies  the  seams  of  the  slate, 
or  forms  small  irregular  masses  in  it.  But  although  the  specimens 
are  fine,  it  is  with  extreme  difficulty  that  they  can  be  obtained.  It  is 


364  Scientific  Geology. 

a  fact  worthy  of  notice,  that  this  rock  in  Scotland,  where  it  is  traversed 
by  quartz  veins,  abounds  in  titanite ;  showing  a  very  great  similarity 
in  the  causes  by  which  it  was  produced  in  distant  countries. 

Blue  and  green  carbonate  of  copper  are  found  in  several  places  in 
Cumberland,  R.  I.,  in  what  I  have  described  as  talco-chloritic  slate. 
The  same  rock  abounds  in  epidote,  sometimes  finely  crystalline,  ac- 
cording to  Dr.  Webb.  And  I  infer  from  his  description,  that  the  ye- 
nite  associated  with  magnetic  oxide  of  iron,  is  contained  in  the  same 
rock. 

Theoretical  Considerations. 

The  views  that  have  been  presented  relative  to  the  origin  of  mica 
slate,  are  applicable,  almost  without  variation,  to  talcose  slate.  The 
arguments  proving  that  water  must  have  been  the  earliest  agent 
in  the  production  of  mica  slate,  prove  the  same  of  talcose  slate ; 
as  do  those  evincing  the  subsequent  action  of  a  high  degree  of  heat. 
To  what  circumstance  the  great  abundance  of  magnesia  in  the  talc- 
ose slate  is  owing,  it  may  be  impossible  perhaps  ever  to  determine. 
But  its  presence  being  once  admitted,  it  is  easy  to  conceive  how  talc- 
ose, instead  of  mica  slate,  might  have  resulted. 

There  is,  however,  one  variety  of  talcose  slate,  which  occurs  half 
a  mile  west  of  the  meeting  house  in  Hawley,  and  affords  an  evidence 
not  found  in  our  mica  slate,  of  the  action  of  heat  sufficient  to  produce 
an  almost  perfect  fusion.  I  refer  to  the  porphyritic  variety,  which  I 
do  not  find  described  in  European  works.  It  seems  to  me  that  every 
thing  which  we  know  of  the  chemistry  of  crystalization,  forbids  the 
supposition  that  the  porphyritic  structure  can  ever  result  from  any 
other  than  an  igneous  solution.  For  in  what  laboratory  have  distinct 
crystals  been  produced  in  the  midst  of  a  mass  essentially  uncrystal- 
ized,  except  from  heat  ?  But  it  is  well  known  that  the  porphyritic 
structure  is  not  unfrequently  met  with  in  rocks  whose  volcanic  origin 
is  certain ;  even  in  the  products  of  existing  volcanoes.  What,  then, 
but  an  unreasonable  attachment  to  hypothesis,  should  lead  us  to  im- 
pute that  to  watery  solution,  which,  so  far  as  facts  have  come  to  our 
knowledge,  has  never  resulted  but  from  igneous  solution  ? 

In  the  present  instance  the  almost  entire  absence  of  stratification 
and  slaty  structure  in  the  rock  referred  to  in  Hawley,  gives  additional 
probability  to  the  idea  of  its  having  been  once  in  a  state  of  fusion. 


Serpentine.  365 

12.       SERPENTINE. 

Perhaps  there  is  no  rock  about  whose  true  nature  and  geological 
relations  so  little  is  known  as  serpentine.  Its  external  characters  are 
not,  indeed,  obscure ;  and  analysts  have  given,  probably  with  accu- 
racy, its  ultimate  elements.  But  is  it  an  altered  or  unaltered  rock  ? 
If  altered,  what  was  the  original  rock  ?  Is  it  stratified,  or  unstrati- 
fied  ?  primitive,  or  transition  ?  These  are  questions  on  which  geolo- 
gists are  not  yet  agreed.  The  Dictionnarie  Classique  D' Historic 
Naturelle,  says,  that  serpentine  is  "  principally  situated  in  the  latest 
of  the  primitive  rocks  and  in  the  intermediate  class."  Brongniart 
doubts  whether  it  is  found  so  low  as  the  primary  rocks ;  (terrains 
agalysiens ;)  and  he  says  that  "  no  rock  of  this  group,  ( Ter.  Pint. 
Ophiolithique,)  exhibits  even  a  tendency  to  stratification."*  De  La 
Beche  classes  it  with  the  unstratified  rocks,  f  But  Dr.  Maculloch 
considers  it  as  sometimes  stratified  and  sometimes  unstratified ;  and 
accordingly  ennumerates  it  in  both  these  classes  ;J  and  also  as  a 
venous  rock.  He  says,  also,  that  it  occurs  in  connection  with  gran- 
ite, gneiss,  micaceous,  chlorite,  and  argillaceous  schists.  His  ac- 
count of  this  rock  corresponds  most  nearly  with  its  characters  in 
Massachusetts ;  and  here,  if  I  mistake  not,  it  is  almost  always  strati- 
fied. At  least,  the  exceptions  are  less  important  than  in  the  case  of 
limestone ;  and  since  I  have  placed  all  our  limestones  in  the  stratified 
class,  I  shall  do  the  same  with  our  serpentines.  In  almost  all  cases, 
also,  our  serpentines  are  connected  with  the  oldest  rocks ;  such  as. 
gneiss,  mica  slate,  and talcose  slate:  and  if  we  have  any  rocks  that 
are  primitive,  serpentine  is  one  of  the  number. 

Miner alogical  Characters. 

1.  Compact  Serpentine.     This  embraces  two  mineralogical  varie- 
ties, the  common  opaque  serpentine,   and  the   translucent   delicate 
green  noble  serpentine.     They  are  of  various   degrees  of  hardness, 
and  their  fracture  is  sometimes   splintery,  sometimes  granular,  and 
sometimes  foliated-splintery.     The  colors  and  their  intermixture  are 
very  various.  (Nos.  870  to  885.) 

2.  Serpentine  and  Talc.     The  talc  is  either  foliated  or  in  the  con- 

*  Tableau  des  Terrains,  &c.  p.  350. 

t  Geological  Manual,  Second  Edition,  p.  487. 

t  System  of  Geology,  Vol.  2.  p.  197. 


366  Scientific  Geology. 

dition  of  steatite.  Often  it  is  very  obvious  that  the  specimen  is  in  an 
intermediate  state  between  serpentine  and  steatite.  Indeed,  all  the 
gradations  between  the  two  rocks  may  sometimes  be  seen,  particu- 
larly in  the  beds  of  serpentine  and  steatite  embraced  in  gneiss,  in 
Pelham,  Shutesbury,  and  New  Salem.  The  color  of  the  rock  in 
these  cases  is  quite  black.  (Nos.  886  to  893'.) 

3.  Serpentine,  Talc,  and  Schiller  Spar  ?     In  this  variety,  also,  the 
serpentine,  as  well  as  the  foliated  mineral  which   I  presume  to   be 
schiller  spar,  are  black ;  while  the  talc  is  green,  and  sometimes  quite 
brittle.     This  variety  occurs  only  in  Blanford,   Russell,  and  West- 
field,  so  far  as  I  have  observed.  (Nos.  894,  895.) 

4.  Serpentine  and  Carbonate  of  Lime.     The  latter  mineral  in  this 
variety  is  white,  and  the  former  green,  or  black.     The  proportions  in 
which  they  are  mixed  is  very  various.     The  limestone  is  generally 
saccharoidal,  and  thus   this  rock  forms  the   Ophicalce   Grenue  of 
Brongniart,  who  refers  to  Newbury  as  one  of  its  localities.  (Nos.  896 
to  899.) 

Other  minerals  found  in  serpentine  sometimes  essentially  modify 
its  characters  :  such  as  actynolite,  asbestus,  massive  garnet,  compact 
feldspar,  &c. :  but  such  varieties  are  hardly  worth  noticing  in  this 
connection. 

Topography,  Stratification,  and  Associated  Rocks. 

Since  I  have  so  particularly  described  the  localities  of  our  serpen- 
tine in  the  first  part  of  my  Report,  it  may  be  practicable,  without 
confusion,  to  bring  together  all  that  I  know  of  its  stratification  and 
associations,  in  a  topographical  order. 

It  will  be  seen,  by  the  map,  that  the  most  numerous  and  important 
beds  of  this  rock  occur  near  the  central  parts  of  the  Hoosac  moun- 
tain range,  and  especially  in  connection  with,  or  in  the  vicinity  of, 
the  talcose  slate.  In  Windsor  are  two  beds.  The  most  easterly  bed 
is  only  a  few  rods  from  a  bed  of  steatite  ;  the  latter  appears  in  the  hill 
forming  the  south  bank  of  a  branch  of  Westfield  river,  and  the  for- 
mer in  the  opposite  bank.  Both  the  beds  are  obviously  interstratified 
with  chlorite  slate,  not  far  from  the  junction  of  this  rock  with  com- 
mon talcose  slate.  Its  color  is  a  pleasant  rather  deep  green ;  its 
structure  between  granular  and  splintery  ;  and  it  contains  small  dis- 
seminated fragments  of  chromate  of  iron.  It  is  distinctly  stratified ; 
the  strata  running  north  and  south,  and  standing  nearly  perpendicu- 
lar ;  which  is  the  usual  dip  of  the  rocks  in  the  vicinity  ;  though  the 


Localities  of  Serpentine.  367 

chlorite  slate,  a  few  rods  east  of  the  serpentine,  dips  east  about  70°  or 
80°.  Not  only  is  this  serpentine  stratified,  but  I  observed  here,  as 
well  as  in  the  same  rock  in  the  west  part  of  Chester,  a  structure 
which  might  properly  be  called  schistose  ;  especially  where  the  rock 
had  been  weathered.  The  slaty  laminae,  however,  are  rather  thick 
and  irregular,  nor  do  they  extend  through  the  whole  bed. 

The  other  serpentine  locality  in  Windsor,  is  in  the  northwest  part 
of  the  town,  on  land  of  Samuel  Chapman.  It  occurs  at  the  surface 
only  in  large  bowlders  ;  though  I  cannot  doubt  but  it  exists  in  place 
beneath  the  diluvium.  The  rock  surrounding  it  is  gneiss  alternating 
with  mica  slate.  The  serpentine  resembles  that  in  Zoar,  and  like 
that  passes  into  steatite  so  insensibly,  that  the  eye  cannot  distinguish 
between  the  tw.o  minerals  ;  —  and  specimens  may  be  found  of  every 
intermediate  degree  of  hardness.  But  the  serpentine  greatly  pre- 
dominates. 

The  situation  of  the  serpentine  in  Zoar,  is  similar  to  that  of  the 
first  bed  in  Winsdor,  just  described.  It  occurs  on  the  north  side  of 
Deerfield  river  :  and  the  lateral  edges  of  the  strata  are  here  laid  bare. 
They  consist  of  talcose  and  mica  slate,  with  green  and  white  steatite 
interstratified,  the  strata  being  not  far  from  perpendicular.  As  nearly 
as  I  could  ascertain,  there  are  several  beds  of  the  serpentine  at  this 
place :  though  the  numerous  fragments  of  the  rocks  that  are  broken 
and  mixed  along  these  cliffs,  render  it  difficult  to  determine  all  the 
alternations.  It  may  be  of  consequence  to  remark,  that  in  one  in- 
stance at  least,  I  noticed  the  serpentine  lying  next  to  the  steatite. 
The  serpentine  at  this  locality  is  the  common  variety,  and  uniform  in 
its  color ;  but  of  a  lively  green.  In  some  instances  there  is  a  mix- 
ture of  the  serpentine  with  the  steatite. 

In  Marlborough,  Vt.  a  little  north  of  the  limits  of  the  map,  is  a 
very  extensive  bed  of  serpentine ;  some  parts  of  which,  at  least,  are 
distinctly  stratified.  In  the  west  part  of  New  Fane  is  another  bed, 
in  which  I  do  not  recollect  any  marks  of  stratification ;  though  it  is 
several  years  since  I  visited  the  spot.  Other  large  beds  occur  farther 
north,  in  Vermont,  as  at  Grafton  and  Windham,  and  they  are  found 
in  a  continuation  of  the  same  talcose  and  mica  slate  range  in  which 
they  exist  in  Massachusetts. 

The  most  northern  bed  of  serpentine  in  Middlefield  is  connected 
with  the  bed  of  steatite  in  that  place  already  described.  The  bed  in 
the  south  part  of  the  town  is  the  largest  in  Massachusetts  ;  being  from 
four  to  six  miles  long,  and  perhaps  80  or  100  rods  wide.  It  extends 


368  Scientific  Geology. 

into  the  west  part  of  Chester,  where  it  appears  on  the  east  side  of 
Westfield  river,  rising  to  the  height  of  300  to  400  feet ;  and  is  suc- 
ceeded on  the  east  by  talcose  slate,  which  rises  still  higher.  I  exam- 
ined this  rock  in  the  south  part  of  Middlefield,  and  found  it  distinctly 
stratified  ;  the  strata  running  a  little  east  of  north,  and  dipping  east- 
erly, from  70°  to  80° ;  corresponding,  in  these  respects,  with  the  ad- 
joining strata.  On  the  west  this  bed  is  succeeded  by  distinct  horn- 
blende slate,  both  in  Middlefield  and  Chester.  In  the  latter  place  the 
serpentine  is  stratified  with  a  good  deal  of  distinctness,  and  exhibits 
also  a  slaty  structure.  The  dip,  corresponding  with  that  of  the  talcose 
slate  on  the  east,  and  the  hornblende  slate  on  the  west,  is  nearly  per- 
pendicular ;  and  the  direction  rather  more  east  of  north  than  in  Mid- 
dlefield. Forming  the  east  bank  of  the  river,  the  ledges  of  this  rock 
seem  to  have  suffered  much  from  abrading  agents  ;  and  the  surface  is 
much  broken  to  pieces  and  the  sides  very  steep. 

I  observed  the  Flora  of  this  serpentine  ledge  to  be  rather  peculiar. 
It  abounded  with  the  sassafras  and  primus  borealis ;  the  former  of 
which,  especially,  is  scattered  rather  sparsely  over  the  neighboring- 
hills.  Polygala  paucifolia,  Saxifraga  pennsylvanica,  and  Convallaria 
bifolia,  I  noticed  also  in  great  quantities.  Ilex  canadensis  I  observed 
likewise,  as  well  as  a  rare  species  of  Arenaria.  Lichens  and  moss- 
es, however,  are  rarely  seen  upon  this  serpentine. 

Specimens  that  may  be  called  noble  serpentine  do  occur  in  Middle- 
field  ;  but  for  the  most  part  the  rock  is  the  common  variety,  of  a  pale 
green  color,  and  somewhat  foliated  structure,  abounding,  however,  in 
dark  spots  from  the  presence  chromate  of  iron. 

Following  the  direction  of  the  strata  southerly  from  Middlefield  a 
few  mil  es  into  Blanford,  we  come  to  the  bed  of  limestone,  discovered 
since  the  first  part  of  my  Report  was  finished,  and  which  I  have  al- 
ready described.  Little  more  than  a  mile  north  of  this  limestone, 
and  about  five  miles  northwest  of  Blanford  meeting  house,  on  the  old 
road  to  Becket,  and  on  the  northeast  side  of  a  pond,  there  exists  a 
bed  of  serpentine  which  shows  itself  at  the  surface  over  a  space  about 
30  rods  in  diameter,  and  it  rises  30  or  40  feet  above  the  general  level. 
This  large  bed  evidently  occupies  the  same  geological  position  as 
that  in  Middlefield ;  for  the  hornblende  slate,  frequently  epidotic,  lies 
in  immediate  contact  with  it  on  the  west  side ;  and  though  no  rock  in 
place  appears  on  the  other  side,  yet  we  have  much  reason  to  believe 
that  talcose  slate,  or  talco-micaceous  slate,  exists  there.  Not  improb- 
ably this  serpentine  is  connected  without  interruption  with  the  Mid- 


Chromate  of  Iron.  369 

dlefield  deposit.  This  would  make  the  whole  bed  only  10  or  12 
miles  long. 

The  Blanford  bed  is  for  the  most  part  as  distinctly  stratified  per- 
haps as  that  in  Middlefield  ;  and  its  tendency  to  a  slaty  structure  I 
think  more  distinct.  The  dip  and  direction  of  the  strata  seem  to  cor- 
respond to  those  of  the  hornblende  slate  in  immediate  contact  viz. 
the  direction  north  and  south,  and  the  dip  east,  60°  to  70Q. 

The  chromate  of  iron,  mentioned  in  a  postscript  on  page  52,  is  the 
most  interesting,  and  indeed  the  only  mineral  that  I  noticed  in  this 
serpentine.  It  is  disseminated  through  the  rock  in  grains.and  also  forms 
veins  or  tuberculous  masses  resembling  magnetic  oxide  of  iron ;  being 
black  and  granular,  or  compact.  But  I  judge  it  to  be  chromate  of  iron 
for  the  following  reasons.  1.  It  has  communicated  a  peach  blossom  col- 
or to  small  portions  of  steatite  or  talc  that  adhere  to  its  surface.  2.  The 
colour  of  its  powder  is  a  dark  brown.  3.  It  is  not  magnetic.  4. 
Fused  with  borax,  it  produces  a  beautiful  green  glass. 

Should  this  mineral  be  found  in  considerable  quantity  at  this  place, 
it  would  be  quite  important  in  an  economical  point  of  view,  since  it 
sells  in  market  from  $40  to  60  per  ton.  I  am  inclined  to  believe  it 
disseminated  in  small  grains  through  nearly  all  the  serpentine  of  the 
Hoosac  mountain  range,  and  not  improbably  large  masses  of  it  may 
be  found  in  various  places. 

Four  or  five  miles  south  of  this  bed  of  serpentine,  is  another  in 
Blanford,  not  more  than  40  to  50  rods  east  of  the  soapstone  quarry, 
11-2  miles  southwest  of  the  center  of  the  town,*  which  has  been  describ- 
ed. This  serpentine  is  in  mica  slate,  which  dips  easterly;  and  it 
is  distinctly  stratified.  There  is  nothing  striking  in  its  appearance. 
The  width  of  the  bed  is  several  rods. 

I  have  reason  to  suppose  that  another  bed  of  serpentine  exists  in 
the  eastern  part  of  Blanford,  though  I  have  found  only  bowlders. 
But  the  specimens  are  of  so  peculiar  a  character,  that  I  cannot  refer 
them  to  any  known  bed.  They  consist  of  green  serpentine,  tale,  and 
sometimes  schiller  spar  ?  (No.  892.) 

The  serpentine  bed  in  Westfield  is  in  mica  slate,  whose  layers  lean 
only  a  few  degrees  to  the  west.  I  speak  here  of  the  most  southerly 
point  of  its  appearance.  Here  it  is  about  four  rods  wide.  It  occurs 
near  the  junction  of  the  new  red  sandstone  and  the  mica  slate,  This 
mica  slate  contains  numerous  veins  and  protruding  masses  of  granite  j 
and  one  mass  of  this  rock  lies  within  3  or  4  feet  of  the  serpentine,  if  it 
does  not  actually  touch  it.  The  serpentine  is  distinctly  stratified ;  th« 
47 


370  Scientific  Geology. 

dip  and  direction  of  the  strata  conforming  to  those  of  the  mica  slate. 
Its  predominant  colour  is  black:  but  it  contains  a  mixture  of  indurat- 
ed greenish  talc,  and  an  amphibolic  mineral  of  a  gray  colour.  (No. 
893.)  A  considerable  part  of  the  rock,  however,  contains  granular 
carbonate  of  lime :  or  rather  in  some  parts  of  the  bed  this  mineral 
predominates,  and  the  serpentine  is  disseminated  through  it,  in  small 
pieces.  (No.  899.) 

Nearly  half  a  mile  north  of  this  spot,  serpentine  again  appears  on 
the  noth  bank  of  Westfield  river  in  Russell ;  and  I  have  strong  reas- 
ons for  believing  it  to  be  a  continuation  of  the  bed  in  Westfield,  just 
described.  The  rock  in  Russell  is  a  mixture  of  black  serpentine  with 
green,  the  latter  being  sometimes  very  compact  and  traversed  by 
veins  of  indurated  talc  (?)  or  Deweylite.  (?)  (No.  885.). 

I  can  hardly  doubt  but  many  more  beds  of  serpentine  might  easily 
be  discovered  in  the  Hoosac  mountain  range,  if  ever  it  shall  be  an  ob- 
ject to  make  such  discoveries.  I  make  this  inference  from  the  fact 
that  I  have  found  some  of  those  above  described,  under  circumstances 
the  most  unfavourable. 

On  the  east  side  of  Connecticut  river  but  few  beds  of  serpentine 
have  been  found  in  Massachusetts.  That  marked  in  Pelham  occurs 
in  the  southwest  part  of  the  town,  and  exhibits  itself  over  an  area  of 
only  a  few  square  rods.  One  may  doubt  whether  this  rock  should  be 
called  serpentine,  or  steatite :  for  these  two  minerals  enter  into  its 
composition.  In  general,  however,  the  latter,  which  is  of  a  black 
colour,  predominates.  It  also  contains  a  considerable  quantity  of  as- 
bestus.  This  bed  lies  in  gneiss  ;  although  the  actual  contact  is  hid- 
den by  the  soil.  But  at  a  little  distance  on  both  sides  this  rock  ap- 
pears, and  no  other  rock  occurs  in  the  vicinity. 

The  steatite  marked  as  occurring  in  Shutesbury  appears  to  be  pas- 
sing in  some  parts  into  black  serpentine ;  as  may  be  seen  from  the 
specimen  No.  805.  At  the  steatite  bed  in  New  Salem  this  change  is 
still  more  decided,  so  that  large  blocks  of  what  must  be  called  black 
serpentine  are  found  there.  (No.  890.) 

In  giving  an  account  of  the  limestone  found  at  Newbury,  I  have 
mentioned  nearly  every  important  circumstance  respecting  the  ser- 
pentine of  the  same  spot.  It  occurs  there  in  veins  or  irregular  mass- 
es of  only  a  few  inches  diameter.  It  will  be  seen  by  the  polished 
specimens  that  several  varieties  at  this  locality  are  very  beautiful : 
but  they  are  so  intersected  by  various  minerals  that  only  small  pieces 
can  be  obtained. 


Minerals  in  Serpentine.  371 

At  one  of  the  limestone  quarries  in  Littleton,  I  observed  that  small 
masses  of  green  serpentine  were  disseminated  in  the  rock.  (No.  489.) 

The  only  remaining  deposite  of  serpentine  within  the  limits  of  the 
map,  is  in  Newport,  Rhode  Island.  And  under  graywacke  I  have 
already  given  so  full  a  description  of  the  situation  and  characters  of 
this  rock  that  any  thing  more  seems  unnecessary  in  this  place.  From 
that  account  it  is  obvious  that  this  serpentine  belongs  to  a  much  later 
geological  epoch  than  any  which  I  have  described  ;  probably  as  late 
as  the  graywacke ;  and  if  there  be  any  example  in  the  region  embrac- 
ed by  the  map,  where  the  serpentine  occurs  in  a  vein  of  considerable 
size,  Newport  is  the  locality. 

Mineral  Contents. 

Serpentine  bears  a  strong  analogy  to  steatite  in  its  mineral  contents 
as  well  as  in  several  other  respects.  Nearly  all  the  simple  minerals 
that  have  been  described  as  existing  in  our  steatite,  occur  also  in  the 
serpentine.  The  beautiful  green  amianthus  of  Newbury  has  already 
been  mentioned  and  the  asbestus  of  Pelham ;  as  well  as  the  amphibo- 
lic mineral,  (probably  actynolite,)  in  Westfield.  At  the  latter  place 
well  characterized  actynolite  occurs  •  and  according  to  Mr.  Emerson 
Davis,  anthophyllite  also.  Here  is  likewise  found  a  mineral  occu- 
pying a  vein  nearly  a  foot  in  width,  which  has  been  called  petalite. 
But  in  hardness  it  corresponds  more  nearly  with  scapolite.  It  needs 
farther  and  more  accurate  examination.  At  the  same  place,  as  well 
as  in  the  serpentine  at  Newbury,  we  find  macsive  garnet.  In  Rus- 
sell, in  a  supposed  continuation  of  the  Westfield  serpentine,  are  found 
veins  of  amianthus  traversing  the  rock,  which  rock  verges  towards 
a  mineral  that  occurs  in  the  Middlefield  serpentine,  as  well  as  that  of 
Newbury,  and  has  been  denominated  Devveylite,  in  honor  of  Prof. 
Dewey.  Chalcedony  is  also  found  in  the  Middlefield  serpentine ; 
and  it  sometimes  passes  into  hornstone.  Large  rolled  masses  of 
these  minerals,  sometimes  weighing  200  pounds  or  more,  often  aga- 
tized,  have  been  found  in  Middlefield  and  Chester,  which  probably 
proceeded  from  some  serpentine  locality.  Dr.  Emmons  says,  that 
steatite  is  crystalized  distinctly  in  the  serpentine  at  Middlefield ;  and 
he  does  not  regard  these  crystals  as  pseudo-morphous ;  although 
mineralogists  have  generally  considered  the  crystals  of  steatite  as 
such  ;  and  Beudant  makes  a  distinct  variety  of  them  un&er  the  name 
of  pseudomorphous  steatite.  The  crystals  at  Middlefield  certainly 
correspond  in  form  exactly  to  those  of  quartz.  In  the  serpentine .  of 


372  Scientific  Geology. 

that  place  drusy  quartz  occurs,  which  is  extremely  beautiful.  In  the 
serpentine  of  Newfane,  Vt.  a  similar  drusy  quartz  has  been  found 
abundantly.  Here  also  occurs  chrysoprase ;  and  sometimes  the 
small  crystals  of  quartz  occupying  the  cavities  of  the  rock  have  the 
color  of  the  chrysoprase.  At  the  same  place  general  Martin  Field 
has  discovered  pimelite* 

Theoretical  Considerations* 

The  preceding  description  will  show  that  the  serpentine  of  Massa- 
chusetts corresponds  essentially,  as  to  position  and  character,  with 
those  serpentines  in  Europe  that  are  connected  with  the  oldest  rocks. 
But  I  am  not  aware  that  any  statements  which  I  have  made,  will 
throw  additional  light  on  the  ohscure  subject  of  its  origin.  From  the 
statement  of  Dr.  Macculloch*  and  De  la  Beche,f  as  to  the  connection 
between  serpentine,  trap,  and  limestone,  one  would  be  led  to  infer  that 
the  first  mentioned  rock  might  have  resulted  from  a  mixture  of  the 
trap  and  limestone.  But  the  serpentine  of  Massachusetts  does  not 
favor  such  an  idea.  The  precious  serpentine  of  Newbury  prob- 
ably lies  between  the  sienite  or  greenstone  and  the  limestone ; 
and  such  is  its  position  in  the  cases  described  by  these  writers.  The 
Westfield  serpentine  also  contains  a  mixture  of  carbonate  of  lime, 
and  in  one  or  two  other  beds  it  may  be  found  in  small  quantity.  But 
in  general  our,  serpentines  are  entirely  separated  from  limestone;  and 
in  respect  to  the  gneiss  east  of  Connecticut  river,  containing  one  or 
two  of  these  beds,  the  whole  extensive  range  does  not  to  my  knowl- 
edge embrace  a  single  bed  of  limestone.  But  in  all  cases,  (except 
perhaps  that  at  Newport,)  our  serpentines  are  associated  with  talc, 
either  pure  and  foliated,  or  as  steatite,  or  chlorite  slate,  or  talc  and 
quartz.  The  two  minerals,  (talc  and  serpentine,)  are  intimately 
blended  together  and  pass  into  one  another  by  insensible  gradations, 
And  in  all  the  cases  described  by  the  writers  above  referred  to,  talc 
was  present.  Is  it  not  natural  then  to  suspect  that  serpentine  is  talc, 
or  talc  serpentine,  altered  by  heat  ?  And  since  the  talc  is  schistose  and 
the  serpentine  massive,  the  latter  must  have  been  produced  from  the 
former.  In  some  cases  it  is  easy  to  imagine  that  the  internal  heat 
might  have  been  powerful  enough  to  produce  perfectly  fused,  and  of 
course  compact  serpentine,  protruding  among  other  rocks  in  the  form 

*  Edinburgh  Journal  of  Science,  Vol.  i.  p.  1. 
t  Manual  of  Geology,  p.  497,  2d  edition. 


Hornblende  Slate.  373 

of  veins ;  while  at  othet  times  the  fusion  was  only  partial,  not  suffi- 
cient to  destroy  entirely  the  stratification.  The  great  similarity  in 
the  chemical  composition  of  serpentine  and  talc  also  favors  the  idea 
that  they  had  a  common  origin.  Both  are  composed  essentially  of 
silex  and  magnesia,  with  a  considerable  proportion  of  water.  What 
the  original  rock  could  have  been,  which,  with  one  degree  of  heat,  or 
with  heat  applied  under  certain  circumstances,  could  have  become 
converted  into  talc,  and  with  another  degree  of  heat,  or  with  heat  ap- 
plied under  different  circumstances,  could  have  produced  serpentine, 
I  am  at  a  loss  to  imagine ;  though  we  do  find  talcose  rocks  among 
some  of  the  older  of  those  that  are  fragmentary.  But  I  make  these 
observations  with  little  expectation  that  they  will  stand  the  test  of  ob- 
servation. It  may  be  found  that  serpentine  has  been  produced  from 
various  rocks,  which  contained  the  necessary  ingredients.  But  that 
heat  has  been  employed  in  its  production,  cannot  it  seems  to  me,  be 
reasonably  doubted. 

13.       HORNBLENDE    SLATE. 

I  use  this  name  as  a  translation  of  Dr,  Macculloch's  Hornblende 
Schist ;  and  I  include  under  it  the  same  varieties  of  rocks.  These 
varieties  are  such  as  other  geologists  have  described  under  the  names 
of  hornblende  rock,  hornblende  schist,  primitive  greenstone,  and 
greenstone  slate  ;  all  of  which,  I  believe,  occur  in  Massachusetts.  In 
reading  Dr.  Macculloch's  masterly  description  of  the  primary  rocks 
of  Scotland,  I  can  hardly  conceive  that  he  is  not  describing  those  of 
New  England;  so  perfect  is  the  correspondence.  Hence  I  have  fol- 
lowed that  geologist  in  describing  most  of  the  primary  rocks  ;  though 
I  reject  some  of  his  distinctions.  But  upon  the  whole,  I  know  of  no 
geological  writer  who  will  compare  with  him  in  treating  of  the 
older  rocks.  I  can  by  no  means  say  the  same  in  respect  to  his 
account  of  the  newer  rocks.  For  he  obviously  endeavors  to  depreci- 
ate the  value  of  an  accurate  knowledge  of  organic  remains  found  in 
the  secondary  and  tertiary  rocks  ;  and  it  is  but  too  evident  that  the 
reason  is,  that  he  himself  can  make  no  pretentions  to  distinction  in 
this  department.  As  to  Dr.  Macculloch's  views  of  geological  theo- 
ries also,  in  his  last  work,  "  A  System  of  Geology,"  whatever  opinion 
may  be  entertained  of  their  correctness  as  a  whole,  I  think  no  one 
who  carefully  examines  them,  will  hesitate  to  acknowledge  them, 
every  thing  considered,  as  remarkably  profound,  ingenious,  and  ju- 


374  Scientific  Geology. 

•'  \ 

dicious.  This  remark,  however,  ought  perhaps  to  be  limited  to  his 
theories  in  respect  to  the  primary  rocks,  for  the  reason  above  sug- 
gested.* 

I  have  thought  it  proper  to  make  these  remarks,  because  I  have  so 
often  in  this  Report  followed  the  opinions,  and  applied  the  theories,  of 
Dr.  Macculloch,  in  the  explanation  of  geological  phenomena. 

All  the  varieties  of  rocks  mentioned  above,  viz.  hornblende  rock, 
hornblende  schist,  primitive  greenstone,  and  greenstone  slate,  occur,  I 
believe  in  Massachusetts ;  and  the  system  which  regards  them  as  sep- 
arate formations,  and  some  of  them  stratified  and  others  unstratified, 
has  long  rendered  their  history  obscure  and  perplexing.  But  by 
uniting  them,  as  Dr.  Macculloch  has  done,  and  regarding  them  as 
mere  varieties  of  the  same  formation,  very  much  of  this  obscurity 
vanishes.  In  Massachusetts  their  characters  correspond  with  those 
given  by  the  writer  so  often  referred  to.  Although  for  a  limited 
space  the  hornblende  rock  and  the  primitive  greenstone  appear,  with- 
out close  inspection,  to  be  unstratified,  and  wanting  in  a  schistose 
structure  ;  yet  the  unstratified  character  is  very  limited,  and  a  fresh 
fracture  will  commonly  reveal  an  obscure  slaty  structure. 

Miner alogical  Characters. 
1.   Of  Hornblende  alone.     Sometimes  this  variety  is  laminar,  and 

*  After  having"  published  so  many  separate  geological  works,  and  so  many  sepa- 
rate papers  in  the  periodicals  and  transactions  of  learned  societies,  which  were 
distinguished,  for  the  most  part,  for  the  calm  and  dispassionate  manner  in  which 
they  were  written,  how  unexpected  to  find  in  this  last  work,  produced  in  mature 
years,  so  much  of  overweening  self-conceit,  so  much  of  rude  and  overbearing 
intolerance,  and  of  low  jealousy  and  envy  towards  the  distinguished  school  of  ge- 
ologists that  are  now  advancing  the  science  with  unexampled  rapidity  !  While 
he  exhibits  the  principles  of  geology  with  a  clearness  and  power  to  which  I  con- 
fess I  know  of  no  equal,  he  exhibits  also  a  bitterness  of  feeling  and  violence  of 
prejudice,  to  which,  I  had  almost  said,  I  know  of  no  parallel.  What  a  pity  that  a 
work,  which  might  have  gone  down  to  posterity  as  a  splendid  monument  of  the 
commanding  geological  and  chemical  ability  of  its  author,  and  have  proved  al- 
most the  "  Principia"  of  geology,  should  have  infused  into  it  so  much  of  the  leav- 
en of  depravity,  as  to  excite  disgust  in  the  reader,  strong  enough  to  destroy  almost 
every  feeling  of  respect !  Of  the  private  history  arid  character  of  Dr.  Macculloch 
I  know  nothing.  His  geological  writings  alone  have  led  me  to  make  these  remarks. 
May  he  live  long  enough  to  publish  an  expurgated  edition  of  his  System  of  Geolo- 
gy, and  thus  free  his  setting  sun  from  that  angry  fiery  cloud  in  which  it  is  now 
enveloped. 


Varieties  of  Hornblende  Slate.  375 

sometimes  fibrous.  When  fibrous,  it  is  slaty ;  when  laminar,  no  slaty 
structure  can  be  perceived,  nor  any  stratification,  even  in  beds  of  con- 
siderable extent.  This  is  the  rock  that  has  been  sometimes  called 
hornblende  rock.  (Nos.  914  to  928.) 

2.  Hornblende  and  Feldspar.  Generally  the  hornblende  is  crystal- 
line, and  the  feldspar  foliated,  or  granular  ;  but  sometimes  both  ingre- 
dients are  compact,  and  this  mixture  forms  a  good  example  of  primi- 
tive greenstone.  In  this  variety  there  is  usually  little  appearance  of 
stratification,  or  of  a  schistose  structure ;  though  this  is  not  generally 
true  of  the  whole  bed.  And  sometimes,  as  in  Whately,  where  this 
rock  often  assumes  a  columnar  appearance,  a  schistose  structure  may 
still  be  seen.  Sometimes  the  feldspar  in  this  rock,  as  in  the  west  part 
of  Northfield,  is  finely  granular,  or  even  assumes  a  pulverulent  ap- 
pearance ;  while  the  hornblende  is  distinctly  crystalline.  When  the 
ingredients  are  both  crystalline,  the  rock  furnishes  a  good  example  of 
hornblende  slate.  This  variety  is  usually  interstratified  with  gneiss 
and  passes  insensibly  into  that  rock.  (Nos.  929  to  951.) 

In  Whately  is  a  curious  variety  of  hornblende  slate,  in  which  the 
hornblende  is  light  green  and  the  feldspar  white  and  compact.  A 
casual  inspection  would  leave  the  impression  that  the  rock  was  sien- 
ite.  But  a  little  attention  shows  a  very  decided  slaty  structure.  The 
hornblende  also  predominates.  This  is  the  only  example  I  have  met 
with,  in  which  the  slaty  variety  contains  compact  feldspar  without 
being  porphyritic.  (No.  947.) 

Associated  with  a  large  proportion  of  the  hornblende  slate  in  the 
vicinity  of  Connecticut  river,  is  a  variety  that  falls  under  the  present 
division,  that  is  most  decidedly,  and  sometimes  very  beautifully  por- 
phyritic. The  feldspar  is  yellowish  white,  between  foliated  and 
granular,  although  sometimes  retaining  the  form  of  the  crystal  in 
considerable  perfection.  The  hornblende  is  sub-crystalline,  and  in 
the  greatest  quantity.  Sometimes  scales  of  mica  are  present.  The 
slaty  structure  may  usually  be  seen  in  this  variety,  though  less  dis- 
tinct than  in  most  other  varieties  of  this  rock.  There  is  scarcely  a 
more  distinct  variety  of  porphyry  in  the  State  than  this  ;  and  as  it 
admits  of  being  smoothed,  and  probably  polished,  it  would  form  un- 
doubtedly an  interesting  ornamental  stone.  It  is  more  common  to 
meet  with  this  rock  in  rolled  masses  than  in  beds  ;  and  hence  I  infer 
that  its  beds  are  rather  limited.  (Nos.  944  to  946.) 

I  have  found  a  remarkable  variety  of  this  porphyritic  hornblende  slate 
in  Canton  and  Easton,  near  the  Blue  Hills,  and  also  in  Waltham,  in 


376  Scientific  Geology. 

rolled  masses.  Its  peculiarity  consists  in  the  feldspar  being  compact,yet 
exhibiting  the  form  of  the  crystal.  The  feldspar  is  white  and  the  schis- 
tose structure  of  the  rock  distinct.  (Nos.  948  to  950.)  Whence  this 
rock  originated  I  am  unable  to  say;  though  probably  somewhere  not 
far  from  the  outer  limits  of  the  granite  range,  which  lies  west  of  the 
greenstone  and  sienite  around  Boston.  It  is  quite  obvious  that  this 
rock  must  have  been  so  nearly  fused  as  to  destroy  the  foliated  struc- 
ture of  the  feldspar,  yet  without  essentially  impairing  its  crystalline 
form. 

3.  Hornblende  and  Quartz.  (Nos.  952  to  957.)  In  general  this  vari- 
ety probably  contains  some  feldspar  also.     The  hornblende  in  a  crys- 
talline state  forms  the  principal  ingredient.     The  quartz  is  granular. 
The  rock  is  slaty  ;  and  is  sometimes  traversed  by  veins  of  quartz  or 
granite.     It  does  not  form  a  common  variety. 

4.  Hornblende,  Feldspar,  and  Mica.     This  approaches  to  gneiss: 
but  I  do  not  call  it  gneiss,  when  the  hornblende  predominates.      The 
mica  is  usually  in  small  quantity,  and  the  feldspar  and  quartz  some- 
times traverse  the  rock  in  numerous  minute  veins,  which  seem  to  have 
been  frequently  cut  off  and  shifted  by  one  another.  (Nos.  958  to  963.) 

6.  Hornblende  and  Epidote.  This  latter  mineral  sometimes  con- 
stitutes so  large  a  proportion  of  the  rock,  that  I  thought  it  ought  to 
be  regarded  as  a  constituent  of  one  of  the  varieties  of  Hornblende 
slate.  Generally  it  is  granular  and  disseminated  through  the  rock, 
giving  it  a  peculiar  green  tinge :  but  sometimes  it  is  imperfectly  crys- 
talized  in  cavities,  and  sometimes  in  veins.  (Nos.  964,  964  1-2,  965.) 

6.  Hornblende  and  Chlorite.     This  variety  is  rather  uncommon  : 
but  I  have  met  with  it  in  Whately,  Shelburne,  and  perhaps  some 
other  places.     Sometimes  it  passes  into  genuine  chlorite  slate.  (No. 

S67.) 

7.  Actynolite  Slate.     This  is  found  in  gneiss  in  Shutesbury  ;  and 
I  know  of  no  other  well  marked  locality.     It  occurs  near  the  min- 
eral well  in  the  center  of  the  town.     The  rock  is  slaty  and  is  com- 
posed of  fibrous  actynolite,  foliated  feldspar,  mica,   hornblende  and 
quartz,  arranged  somewhat  in  layers.      It  is  obviously  only  gneiss 
which  takes  into  its  composition  a  large  proportion  of  actynolite.     In 
Belchertown  I  found  a  loose  specimen,  in  which  the  actynolite  was 
granular  and  in  large  quantity,  and  the  rock  was  not  slaty.  (Nos.  968 
969.)       Since  the  ablest   mineralogists  now  regard  actynolite  and 
hornblende  as  the  same  species,  I  can  not  see  how  Dr.  Macculloch 
can  be  justified  in  making  a  distinct  rock  of  actynolite  schist,  as  he 


Topography  of  Hornblende  Slate.  377 

has  done.     It  certainly  can  lay  claims  to  be  considered  only  as  a  va- 
riety of  hornblende  slate. 

I  doubt  not  that  other  and  still  more  compound  varieties  of  horn- 
blende slate  might  be  found  among-  our  rocks :  for  this  rock  passes  by 
imperceptible  gradations  into  almost  all  those  with  which  it  is  associ- 
ated. Under  talcose  slate,  I  have  noticed,  for  example,  a  variety  con- 
taining hornblende,  which  might  as  well  have  been  reckoned  in  this 
place.  Under  mica  slate,  I  have  also  noticed  an  amphibolic  variety, 
in  which  the  hornblende  sometimes  predominates. 

Topography  of  the  Hornblende  Slate. 

Every  deposit  of  hornblende  slate  which  I  have  examined  in  New 
England,  is  associated  either  with  gneiss,  talcose  slate,  mica  slate, 
or  quartz  rock.  The  small  patch  represented  on  the  map  in  the  vi- 
cinity of  the  beds  of  limestone  in  Smithfield,  R.  I.,  is  apparently  as- 
sociated with  talco-chloritic  slate ;  though  as  we  go  westerly,  we  find 
it  alternating  with  gneiss :  indeed,  I  suspect  these  three  rocks  are 
sometimes  interstratified.  Much  of  the  hornblende  slate  in  the  vicin- 
ity of  the  lime  quarries,  is  decided  primitive  greenstone,  and  green- 
stone slate  ;  and  it  also  passes  insensibly  into  the  talco-chloritic  slate. 

Most  decidedly  associated  with  gneiss  is  the  range  of  hornblende 
slate  represented  as  extending  northeasterly  from  Grafton  to  Billerica. 
In  some  places,  as  at  Marlborough,  its  hornblende  character  is  fully 
developed,  and  it  there  becomes  as  nearly  greenstone  slate  perhaps  as 
any  rock  in  the  State.  But  generally  this  stratum  is  more  or  less 
intermixed  with  gneiss,  so  that  sometimes  one  sees  only  traces  of  it. 
Yet  as  I  usually  found  the  deposit  well  characterised  in  the  region 
where  it  is  marked,  I  thought  it  proper  to  give  it  as  a  continuous 
range  on  the  map.  Generally  between  this  hornblende  slate  and  the 
granite  on  the  east,  the  surface  is  composed  of  diluvium,  so  as  to  hide 
the  junction  of  the  two  rocks. 

Extending  from  Stafford  in  Connecticut,  to  Athol,  in  Worcester 
county,  the  map  exhibits  another  narrow  stratum  of  hornblende  slate, 
very  similarly  situated  to  that  just  described.  I  have  met  with  nar- 
row beds  of  this  rock  still  farther  north,  and  probably  it  might  with 
truth  be  extended  across  the  whole  State.  But  I  saw  it  so  rarely 
north  of  its  present  termination,  that  I  thought  it  best  not  to  carry  it 
across  the  State.  This  rock  is  generally  crystalline  in  its  aspect,  and 
is  mixed  with  feldspar  and  quartz  in  considerable  quantity:  being 
obviously  in  nearly  all  cases,  but  a  variety  of  gneiss.  And  it  ought 
48 


378  Scientific  Geology. 

here  to  be  remarked,  that  in  many  other  places  in  the  broad  gneiss 
range  of  Worcester  county,  the  rock  takes  so  much  hornblende  into 
its  composition,  that  it  properly  becomes  hornblende  slate.  Some  of 
these  beds  —  as  in  Pelham  —  bear  a  closer  resemblance  to  unstratified 
secondary  greenstone  than  any  other  member  of  the  primary  rocks : 
(No.  llll.)  and  I  have  accordingly  placed  specimens  from  them 
among  those  of  greenstone. 

The  deposit  of  this  rock  in  the  west  part  of  Northfield,  north  part 
of  Gill,  and  east  part  of  Bernardston,  is  represented  as  in  contact 
with  mica  slate,  quartz  rock,  and  new  red  sandstone:  and  such  I  be- 
lieve to  be  its  associations ;  though  recent  examination  has  led  me 
to  suspect  that  gneiss  alternates  with  the  mica  slate.  The  hornblende 
slate  of  this  region  is  sometimes  slaty  ;  but  very  frequently  it  is  de- 
cided primitive  greenstone,  exhibiting  even  sometimes  a  passage  into 
sienite.  In  some  parts  of  the  bed  no  marks  of  stratification,  or  slaty 
structure,  appear :  but  they  are  almost  uniformly  present  in  other 
parts.  In  one  instance,  at  least,  a  vein  of  white  fetid  quartz,  nearly  a 
foot  wide,  traverses  this  rock.  This  spot  is  on  the  road  from  Gill  to 
Bernardston.  The  quartz  near  the  edges  of  the  vein  contains  foli- 
ated masses  of  feldspar. 

Four  other  deposits  of  hornblende  slate  are  represented  on  the 
map,  surrounded  by  mica  slate,  in  the  western  part  of  Franklin 
county.  I  have  recently  ascertained  hat  the  deposit,  which  extends 
from  Colrain  to  Conway,  is  associated  with  a  limited  stratum  of 
gneiss,  whose  characters  are  fully  developed  in  the  east  part  of 
Buckland.  The  hornblende  slate  lies  principally  in  the  west  part  of 
Shelburne,  occupying  a  high  hill. 

In  respect  to  the  other  three  patches  alluded  to  above,  I  have  no 
remarks  to  make,  except  to  say  that  I  do  not  suppose  I  have  very  ac- 
curately marked  out  their  true  limits,  or  situation.  I  know  that  in 
the  vicinity  of  the  spots  where  they  are  marked,  I  have  repeatedly 
found  hornblende  slate.  But  I  also  know,  that  nearly  all  analogical 
reasonings  as  to  the  situation  of  this  rock  have  failed  me. 

About  one  mile  north  of  Whately  meeting  house,  we  find  a  lim- 
ited deposit  of  hornblende  slate,  on  the  west  side  of  the  street,  prob- 
ably succeeding  the  red  sandstone.  Passing  westerly  not  more  than 
100  rods,  we  cross  almost  every  variety  of  this  rock,  that  has  been 
named :  the  common  hornblende  slate,  which  predominates :  also 
that  containing  epidote,  which  is  frequently  divided  into  rhomboidal 
masses  of  considerable  regularity  :  then  we  come  to  primitive  green- 


Ranges  of  Hornblende  Slate.  379 

stone,  where  the  slaty  and  stratified  tendency  begins  to  be  lost  in  the 
trappose  or  columnar :  next  we  strike  the-  peculiar  variety,  already 
described,  as  containing  white  compact  feldspar :  finally  succeeds 
mica  slate.  In  describing  sienite  I  shall  refer  again  to  this  spot. 

The  strip  of  hornblende  slate  marked  along  the  eastern  margin  of 
the  gneiss  range  in  the  west  part  of  Hampden  county,  and  east  part 
of  Berkshire,  is  so  intermingled  with  the  gneiss  on  one  side,  and 
with  the  mica  slate  and  talcose  slate  on  the  other,  that  it  is  no  easy 
matter  to  fix  upon  its  true  position  or  extent.  I  have  exhibited  it  in 
those  places  where  I  found  it  most  abundant.  But  viewing  it  rather 
as  a  variety  of  gneiss,  I  do  not  regard  its  exact  situation  or  extent  on 
the  map  of  any  great  importance.  Traces  of  this  same  rock  may  be 
seen  all  along  the  eastern  margin  of  the  talcose  slate ;  and  in  Plain- 
field  and  Hawley,  it  is  not  uncommon  to  find  examples  of  pure  horn- 
blende slate :  though  usually  the  hornblende  forms  the  least  abundant 
ingredient,  and  ought  perhaps  to  be  considered  merely  as  crystallized 
hornblende  disseminated  through  talcose  slate. 

Some  of  the  hornblende  rock  in  Granville  and  Tolland  is  lamin- 
ated, and  the  size  of  the  laminae  is  often  gigantic.  In  the  latter 
place,  half  a  mile  east  of  the  meeting  house,  I  have  seen  imperfectly 
prismatic  masses  not  less  than  a  foot  in  length  and  one  or  two  inches 
wide.  I  apprehend  that  this  hornblende  slate  in  these  towns,  is  con- 
nected with  the  extensive  ranges  of  that  rock  which  one  crosses  in 
passing  from  Lee  to  Becket.  But  I  am  so  doubtful  about  the  true 
situation  of  this  rock  along  the  western  part  of  the  gneiss  range  in 
Berkshire  county,  that  I  have  forebore  to  represent  it  on  the  map. 
In  the  east  part  of  Lee  and  west  part  of  Becket,  it  is  associated 
with  augitic  gneiss  :  and  both  these  rocks  are  obviously  varieties  of 
gneiss. 

In  respect  to  the  gneiss,  hornblende  slate,  mica  slate,  and  talcose 
slate,  represented  on  the  map  as  occupying  a  considerable  part  of  the 
Hoosac  range  of  mountains,  I  take  this  opportunity  to  remark,  that 
whoever  expects  in  passing  transversely  or  longitudinally  over  this 
region,  to  find  as  sudden  and  decided  changes  in  the  rocks  as  are 
shown  on  the  map,  will  be  disappointed.  On  a  map  the  change  must 
be  represented  as  sudden :  but  I  have  often  travelled  for  miles  in  that 
region,  in  great  uncertainty  what  rock  prevailed.  In  such  cases, 
one  can  give  the  line  between  different  formations  only  by  approxi- 
mation. 


380 


Scientific  Geology. 


Dip,  Direction,  <fyc.  of  the  Strata. 

I  cannot  but  regard  the  hornblende  slate  of  Massachusetts,  as  be- 
longing to  the  same  geological  epochs  as  the  gneiss,  mica  slate,  and 
talcose  slate  ;  that  is,  it  seems  to  me  they  were  all  produced  by  essen- 
tially the  same  causes,  and  during  the  same  periods  of  time.  Hence 
we  should  expect,  (if  this  opinion  be  correct,)  that  the  dip  and  direc- 
tion of  the  strata  would  correspond  with  those  of  the  strata  that  have 
been  mentioned.  And  such  is  the  fact :  though  upon  the  whole,  this 
rock  approaches  more  nearly  to  verticality  in  the  dip  of  its  strata, 
than  any  other  rock  in  the  State ;  as  the  following  notes  will  show. 


Middlefield, 
Becket,  east  part, 

do.     west  part, 
Granville,     - 
Blanford,  north  part, 

do.       northwest  part, 
Rowe,  north  part, 
Chester,  west  part, 
Shelburne, 

Bernardston,  east  part,  - 
Monson  and  vicinity, 
Westborough, 
Marlborough,    - 
Cumberland,  R.  I. 
Smithfield,  R.  I.,  lime  quarries, 


Direction.  Dip. 

N.  and  S.         70°  to  80°  E. 

N.  and  S.         90°. 

N.  and  S.         70°  to  80°  E. 

N.  and  S.         90°. 

N.  and  S.         90°. 

N.  and  S.         60°  to  70°  E. 

E.  and  W.       South,  small. 

N.  and  S.         90°,  nearly. 

N.  and  S.         45°  to  90°  E. 

N.  and  S.         50°  to  60°  E. 

N.  and  S.         45°  to  70°  W. 

N.E.  and  S.  W.  50°  to  70°  N.  W. 

N.E.  and  S.W.  80°  to  90°  N.W. 

N.E.  and  S.W.  40°  S.E. 

S.E.  and  N.W.  30°  to  45°  N.E. 


I  have  already  alluded  to  the  tendency  of  the  hornblende  slate  to 
divide  into  rhomboidal  masses.  I  have  observed  this  no  where  so 
distinctly  as  at  Whately.  There,  also,  the  masses  sometimes  affect  a 
columnar  form  ;  (No.  938.)  though  perfect  columns  of  any  great  ex- 
tent are  rarely  the  result. 

This  rock  is  frequently  remarkable  for  the  numerous  and  compli- 
cated contortions  which  its  layers  exhibit,  often  rivalling  in  this  re- 
spect, mica  slate  and  gneiss.  Not  unfrequently  these  irregularities 
appear  to  be  increased  by  the  passage  of  granite  veins  through  the 
rock,  as  in  Granville. 


Minerals  in  Hornblende  Slate.  381 

Mineral  Contents. 

So  far  as  it  has  been  examined,  no  rock  in  the  state  appears  to  be 
so  barren  of  interesting  minerals  as  this.  Garnets  are  perhaps  the 
most  common,  and  generally  they  are  of  a  blood  red  colour — probably 
in  some  cases  the  pyrope.  In  Rowe,  epidote  occurs  in  this  rock  in 
a  state  of  such  purity  that  it  deserves  to  be  mentioned.  In  Middlefield 
and  Chester,  sphene  has  been  observed  in  it.  In  its  cavities  also,  not 
unfrequently,  as  in  Charlemont  and  Whately,  I  have  noticed  tolera- 
bly distinct  crystals  of  feldspar.  The  immediate  gangue  of  the 
plumbago  mine  at  Sturbridge  is  hornblende  and  feldspar ;  and  the 
former  minerals  constitute  the  gangue,  to  a  considerable  extent  at 
least,  of  the  arsenical  cobalt  of  Chatham,  Ct.  Red  oxide  of  titanium 
I  have  also  found  in  hornblende  in  Leyden.  Other  minerals  will  un- 
doubtedly be  discovered  in  this  rock,  upon  farther  examination. 
Hitherto  mineralogists  have  paid  very  little  attention  to  the  geological 
situation  of  localities  in  our  country. 

Theoretical  Considerations. 

It  is  easy  to  apply  to  hornblende  slate  the  theory  which  imputes  to 
the  primary  rocks  an  origin  partly  aqueous  and  partly  igneous.  For 
it  is  a  very  fusible  rock,  and  may  hence  easily  be  conceived  to  have 
been  sufficiently  heated  to  enable  it  to  assume-  the  crystalline  aspect, 
which  it  almost  always  exhibits.  But  from  what  rock  did  the  horn- 
blende slate  originate  ?  The  researches  of  Dr.  Macculloch  appear  to 
have  thrown  a  gleam  of  light  upon  this  difficult  question.  "As  far 
as  a  single  fact  can  prove  such  a  case,"  says  he,  "  the  origin  of  horn- 
blende schist  from  clay  slate  is  completely  established  by  the  occur- 
rence in  Shetland,  of  a  mass  of  the  latter  substance  alternating  with 
gneiss  and  approximating  to  granite.  Here  those  portions  which 
come  into  contact  with  the  latter,  become  first,  siliceous  schist,  and  ul- 
timately, hornblende  schist ;  so  that  the  very  same  bed  which  is  an 
interlamination  of  gneiss  and  clay  slate  in  one  part,  is  in  another,  the 
usual  alternation  of  gneiss  and  hornblende  schist."*  In  another  place 
he  says,  "  it  would  appear,  that  the  fusion  of  clay  slate,  whether  pri- 
mary or  secondary,  is,  under  various  circumstances,  capable  of  gene- 
rating, either  the  common  trap  rocks,  or  the  hornblende  schists  :  nor 
is  it  perhaps  difficult  to  explain,  by  a  more  gradual  cooling,  and  con- 

*  System  of  Geology,  vol.  1.  p.  210. 


382  Scientific  Geology. 

sequently,  a  slower  crystalization,  the  particular  causes  which  may 
have  determined  the  latter  rather  than  the  former  effect."* 

This  theory,  if  admitted,  explains  satisfactorily  the  approximation 
of  hornblende  schist  to  unstratified  trap  rocks.  For  some  portions  of 
the  clay  slate  would  very  probably  be  so  entirely  fused  as  to  obliter- 
ate all  marks  of  a  stratified  and  schistose  structure :  and  hence  by 
slow  crystalization  might  result  hornblende  rock  and  primitive  green- 
stone. 

I  have  observed  no  facts  in  Massachusetts  very  decisive  in  respect 
to  this  theory.  But  since  granite  does  occur  in  connection  with  some 
portions  of  our  clay  slate  I  doubt  not  but  such  may  be  found  here.  I 
have  made  no  examination  on  the  subject  worthy  to  be  named.  It  is  my 
opinion,  however,  from  what  I  know  of  the  range  of  slate  extending 
into  Vermont  and  New  Hampshire  from  Franklin  county,  that  in 
those  states  would  be  the  most  likely  places  for  such  facts  to  be  devel- 
oped. The  passage  of  graywacke  slate  into  talco-chloritic  slate,  and 
of  this  into  hornblende  slate  in  Smith  field  and  Cumberland,  Rhode 
Island,  has  probably  also  a  bearing  upon  this  theory. 

The  remarks  that  have  been  made  in  relation  to  porphyritic  talcose 
slate,  will  apply  with  still  more  force  to  that  variety  of  hornblende 
slate  which  is  porphyritic.  For  in  the  latter  case  this  structure  is 
more  distinct  and  perfect  than  in  the  former.  And  the  more  I  reflect 
upon  the  subject,  the  more  satisfied  I  am,  that  a  porphyritic  structure 
must,  in  all  cases,  have  been  the  result  of  the  agency  of  heat. 

14.  GNEISS. 

This  rock  occupies  more  of  the  surface  in  Massachusetts  than  any 
other  :  and  in  all  countries  of  much  extent  hitherto  examined,  it  is  one 
of  the  most  extensive  of  the  formations.  Quartz,  mica,  and  feldspar, 
are  its  common  and  essential  ingredients ;  though  hornblende  is  so 
often  present,  that  some  writers  regard  its  claims  to  be  considered  es- 
sential, as  equal  to  those  of  the  other  three  minerals.  It  is  obvious, 
therefore,  that  the  mineralogical  constitution  of  this  rock  is  the  same 
as  that  of  granite.  The  only  difference,  indeed,  consists  in  the  strati- 
fied and  slaty  disposition  of  the  gneiss.  This  character,  however, 
sometimes  becomes  very  obscure ;  and  then  it  is  almost  impossible  to 
distinguish  between  the  two  rocks.  They  might,  therefore,  be  regard- 

*  System  of  Geology,  vol.  2.  p.  171. 


Varieties  of  Gneiss.  383 

ed  as  varieties  of  one  another:  differing  only  in  the  mode  of  their 
production,  as  in  the  case  of  the  stratified  and  unstratified  limestones 
and  serpentines.  Little  advantage,  however,  would  be  gained  by  such 
an  innovation ;  and  granite  and  gneiss  have  so  long  been  considered 
as  classical  terms  in  geology,  that  if  possible  they  ought  to  be  retain- 
ed ;  lest  that  neologieal  spirit,  which  vain  ambition  nourishes,  should 
unsettle  every  principle  of  the  science. 

The  gneiss  of  Massachusetts  corresponds  almost  exactly  to  that  de- 
scribed by  European  geologists,  particularly  by  Dr.  Macculloch. 
Our  gneiss,  however,  does  not  to  my  knowledge  alternate  with  clay 
slate,  as  it  does  in  Scotland.  I  am  inclined  also  to  believe,  that  ours 
exhibits  a  greater  regularity  of  stratification,  producing  a  fine  rock 
for  architectural  purposes. 

Although  in  general  the  characters  of  gneiss  are  tolerably  distinct, 
yet  an  almost  infinite  variety  of  specimens  may  be  obtained,  slightly 
differing  in  the  color,  arrangement,  or  proportion,  of  the  ingredients. 
They  may,  however,  be  reduced  to  a  few  leading  varieties. 

Mineralogical  Characters, 

1.  Granitic  Gneiss.  (Nos.972  to 992.)  I  suppose  this  variety  to  be  the 
granite-gneiss  of  Humboldt.  It  certainly  approaches  very  near  to 
granite;  and  in  hand  specimens  cannot  be  distinguished  from  a  coarse 
grained  variety  of  that  rock.  Even  for  an  extent  of  several  yards,  we 
can  sometimes  discover  no  marks  of  a  schistose  or  stratified  structure ; 
but  those  structures,  at  least  the  schistose,  usually  appear  at  no  great 
distance,  to  prevent  our  regarding  the  rock  as  granite.  It  might,  in- 
deed, on  a  superficial  view,  be  considered  as  a  vein  of  granite  in  gneiss. 
But  the  masses  will  be  found  too  irregular  for  such  a  supposition ; 
and  often  they  are  bounded  on  all  sides  by  well  characterized  gneiss. 
It  would  explain  the  mode  in  which  this  rock  presents  itself,  to  suppose 
that  a  slaty  rock  was  once  in  a  state  of  partial  fusion,  while  some  por- 
tions of  it  were  perfectly  melted,  so  as  to  crystallize  in  the  form  of  a 
coarse  granite  ;  and  the  principal  part  of  the  mass  cooling  before  the 
slaty  structure  was  entirely  lost.  In  traveling  miles  I  have  some- 
times been  at  a  loss  to  decide  whether  the  rock  were  gneiss  or  gran- 
ite, until  a  very  careful  examination  disclosed  a  partially  obsolete 
parallelism  of  the  mica.  I  think,  however,  that  there  is  a  slight  pe- 
culiarity of  aspect  in  most  of  the  granitic-gneiss  of  Massachusetts, 
which  would  enable  me  to  distinguish  it  from  genuine  granite  even 
in  hand  specimens,  which  were  wholly  destitute  of  a  parallel  disposi- 


384  Scientific  Geology. 

tion  of  parts.     But  it  is  difficult  to  describe  the  exact  nature  of  that 
peculiarity. 

2.  Schistose  Gneiss.  (Nos.  993  to  1022.)  This  is  probably  the  most 
common  variety  of  our  gneiss.     The  structure  is  foliated  like  that  of 
mica  slate:  though  sometimes  granular  with  a  laminar  tendency.  Some 
of  the  best  quarries  in  the  state  I  regard  as  belonging  to  this  variety. 
It  passes  frequently  into  mica  slate  by  the  disappearance  of  the  feld- 
spar. 

3.  Laminar  Gneiss.  In  this  variety  the  different  ingredients  occupy 
distinct  layers.  When  the  mica  is  black,  or  there  is  an  interlamination 
of  hornblende,  the  different  laminae  are  remarkably  distinct  and  reg- 
ular.    In  some  instances,  perhaps,  this  rock  may  be  regarded  as 
composed  of  alternating  layers  of  gneiss  and  mica  slate,  or   horn- 
blende slate.     (Nos.  1023  to  1040.) 

4.  Porphyritic   Gneiss.      The  structure  of  this  variety  is  more  or 
less  slaty.     But  it  embraces  distinct  crystalline  masses   of  foliated 
feldspar.      Most  commonly  these  masses  are  somewhat  ovoid;  but 
in  some  instances  they  present  the  regular  forms  of  the   crystals. 
The  color  is  sometimes  white  or  gray :    but  a  reddish  hue  predomi- 
nates.    The  imbedded  masses  vary  in  size  from  a  quarter  of  an  inch 
in  their  longest  direction,  to  two  inches  ;    and  they  sometimes  consti- 
tute the  largest  portion  of  the  rock.     This  variety  sometimes  answers 
well  for  architectural  purposes.     (Nos.  1041  to  1050.) 

5.  Amphibolic  Gneiss.     I  thus  denominate  that  variety  which  takes 
a  small  proportion  of  hornblende  into  its  composition :    not  sufficient 
to  form  hornblende  slate.      This  mineral  is  usually  disseminated  in 
black  foliated  masses,  from  the  size  of  a  pin's  head  to  half  an  inch  in 
diameter,  through  the  rock.      It  occurs  only  in  the  vicinity  of  horn- 
blende slate.     (Nos.  1051  to  1054.) 

In  the  southeastern  part  of  Worcester  county  is  a  beautiful  rock, 
extensively  quarried,  which  I  refer  to  this  variety.  One  meets  with 
it  abundantly  in  Mendon,  Grafton,  and  the  south  part  of  Worcester, 
in  blocks  got  out  for  building ;  but  I  do  not  know  where  are  its  quar- 
ries. The  rock  appears  to  be  a  granitic  gneiss,  composed  almost  en- 
tirely of  quartz  and  feldspar,  through  which  are  disseminated  numer- 
ous black  crystalline  masses  of  hornblende,  which  have  a  somewhat 
parallel  arrangement.  This  parallelism  is  almost  the  only  mark  by 
which  I  distinguish  this  rock  from  granite.  It  might  with  propriety 
be  termed  sienitic  gneiss.  (Nos.  983  and  986.) 

6.  Epidotic  Gneiss.     This  variety  usually  contains  hornblende  as 


Topography  of  Gneiss.  385 

well  as  epidote.  The  latter  mineral  is  very  frequently  in  veins  and 
generally  compact.  It  is  sometimes,  however,  disseminated  through 
the  rock,  giving  it  a  peculiar  green  tinge.  Were  this  not  a  common 
variety  of  gneiss,  especially  in  the  vicinity  of  hornblende  slate,  it 
would  not  deserve  a  distinct  description.  It  is  closely  allied  to  the 
epidotie  hornblende  slate.  (Nos.  1055  to  1061.)  When  the  epidotic 
gneiss  happens  to  be  porphyritic,  it  forms  a  beautiful  ornamental  stone. 
(No.  1043.) 

7.  Augitic  Gneiss.     This  interesting  rock  is  usually  composed  of 
quartz,  feldspar,  and  lively  green  augite,  in  coarse  grains  or  partially 
crystalline    masses.      Occasionally  we  see  present  grains  of  black 
hornblende.    The  augite  seems  generally  to  have  taken  the  place  of 
the  mica.    The  augite  is  disseminated  in  various  proportions  through 
the  mass  and  the  slaty  structure  is  quite  indistinct.  (Nos.  1062  to  1065.) 

8.  Anthophyllitic  Gneiss.      In  the  west  part  of  Enfield  and  in  Bel- 
chertown,  anthophyllite  is  disseminated  through  the  gneiss  in  such 
quantity,  that  it  deserves  to  be  considered  an  ingredient  of  the  rock, 
if  it  be  proper  thus  to  consider  amphibole,  epidote,  and  augite,  in  the 
three  preceding  varieties.     This  rock  is  composed  almost  entirely  of 
feldspar,   quartz,   and  anthophyllite,  the  mica  being  rarely  presenl. 
<Nos.  1066,  1067.) 

9.  Arenaceous  Gneis-s.      I  have  found  this  rock  only  in  one  well 
marked  locality,  viz.  at  Southbridge,  Worcester  county ;  but  it  seems 
to  me  sufficiently  peculiar  to  deserve  a  distinct  notice.     It  is  composed 
entirely  of  quartz  and  feldspar,  which,   (particularly  the  latter,)  are 
in  a  finely  granular  slate ;  embracing,  however,  small  but  distinct 
crystals  of  red  garnet.     Between  the  layers  of  the  rock  we  find  a 
substance  which  approaches  to  tale.    This  rock  is  quarried  and  is  em- 
ployed for  lining  furnaces.     (No.  1068.)     Perhaps  it  ought  to  be  de- 
scribed under  the  next  variety. 

10.  Talcost   Gneiss.     This  is  composed  of  feldspar,   quartz,  and 
talc ;  the  first  ingredient  in  the  largest  proportion.    Its  structure  is  ir- 
regularly schistose :  but  it  has  the  aspect  of  a  rock  formed  in  part  by 
mechanical  agency.     As  I  have  met  with  it  only  in  one  place,  (be- 
tween Smithfield  and  Providence,  R.  I.)  and  did  not  there  examine  it 
carefully,  I  am  not  prepared  to  say  whether  it  ought  to  be  regarded 
as  the  Protogine,  of  European  geologists.     (No.  1071.) 

Topography  of  the  Gneiss. 

There  are  in  Massachusetts  four  separate  ranges  of  gneiss :  one  in 
49 


386  Scientific  Geology. 

the  Hoosac  Mountain  range;  two  in  the  central  parts  of  the  state; 
and  a  fourth  in  the  vicinity  of  New  Bedford,  in  Plymouth  and  Bris- 
tol counties. 

Hoosac  Mountain  Range. 

Under  mica  slate  I  have  already  given  a  general  description  of  the 
situation  of  this  gneiss,  and  the  reasons  that  lead  me  to  suspect  that 
it  passes  laterally,  or  in  the  direction  of  the  strata,  into  mica  slate. 
Throughout  nearly  the  whole  extent  of  Litchfield  county,  in  Connect- 
icut, this  gneiss  range  is  most  distinctly  characterised.  As  we  pro- 
ceed northerly  into  Massachusetts,  its  characters  become  less  decided. 
The  feldspar  is  less  abundant,  and  the  mica  more  so;  and  hornblende 
frequently  abounds  in  it:  so  that  viewed  on  a  small  scale,  it  may  often  be 
regarded  as  mica  slate.  Along  the  eastern  slope  of  Hoosac  Moun- 
tain, the  rock  becomes  sooner  converted  into  mica  slate  than  along  the 
western  slope.  On  this  latter  side,  indeed,  distinct  gneiss  continues  near- 
ly across  the  State,  as  may  be  seen  on  the  map ;  and  I  am  by  no  means  sure 
but  careful  research  may  trace  it  entirely  across  the  State;  so  as  to  con- 
nect it  with  the  gneiss  that  appears  in  the  lower  part  of  Vermont, 
along  the  eastern  talus  of  the  Green  Mountains.  At  any  rate,  that 
Vermont  gneiss  appears  distinctly  characterised  in  the  southwest  part 
of  Whitingham,  near  the  beds  of  limestone,  as  shown  on  the  map ; 
and  from  thence  I  have  traced  it  as  far  north  as  the  Somerset  iron 
mine.  Here  then  we  have  two  wedge-shaped  ranges  of  gneiss,  with 
their  acute  angles  towards  each  other,  while  the  space  between  them 
is  occupied  by  mica  slate  and  talcose  slate;  and  sometimes  we  find 
these  slates,  for  a  limited  space,  passing  into  gneiss.  There  is  certainly 
then  some  probability  in  the  supposition  that  all  these  schistose  rocks 
may  belong  to  one  formation ;  and  that  the  varieties  resulted  from 
local  peculiarities  in  the  mode  of  formation. 

In  passing  from  Becket  to  Lee,  we  cross  strata  of  decided  gneiss, 
till  within  three  or  four  miles  of  Lee,  when  the  rock  contains  a  con- 
siderable proportion  of  hornblende,  and  at  length  becomes  decided 
hornblende  slate.  Still  nearer  to  Lee,  the  hornblende  is  replaced  by 
green  augite,  and  augitic  gneiss  hence  results.  Within  two  miles  of 
Lee,  we  strike  upon  limestone ;  which  often  contains  a  mixture  of  au- 
gite ;  and  this  mineral,  being  decomposed  at  the  surface,  yet  projecting 
beyond  the  limestone,  the  whole  rock  exhibits  a  brown  and  very 
rough  and  irregular  aspect ;  exceedingly  like  similar  compounds  at 
the  lime  quarries  in  Bolton,  Box  borough,  Littleton,  &c.  —  This  nu- 


Worcester  County  Gneiss.  387 

gitic  gneiss  certainly  deserves  a  more  thorough  examination  than  I 
have  been  able  to  give  it. 

In  the  western  part  of  this  gneiss  range  in  Connecticut,  beds  of 
coarse  saccharine  limestone  are  common.  But  I  have  never  been 
able  to  find  one  of  this  description,  in  Massachusetts ;  though  I  sus- 
pect their  existence,  as  in  New  Marlborough. 

The  limited  patch  of  gneiss  marked  on  the  map,  in  Buckland  and 
Shelburne,  lies  chiefly  in  the  ravine  through  which  Deerfield  river 
passes.  In  its  most  elevated  parts,  (as  on'  the  western  slope  of  the 
high  land  in  the  west  part  of  Shelburne,  and  on  the  opposite  side  of 
the  river  in  Buckland,  on  the  stage  road  between  the  two  bridges  over 
Deerfield  river,)  this  rock  is  very  regular  in  its  stratification :  but  at 
the  bottom  of  Deerfield  river,  at  and  below  Shelburne  Falls,  it  is  the 
granitic  gneiss,  almost  destitute  of  stratification,  and  contains  horn- 
blende. The  feldspar  here  is  in  small  proportion  ;  and  some  of  the 
rock  might  properly  be  denominated  quartz  rock.  • 

These  facts  have  led  me  to  inquire,  whether  the  greater  regularity 
of  stratification  in -the  higher  parts  of  this  deposit,  might  not  pro- 
ceed from  the  fact,  that  the  lower  parts  are  nearer  to  that  igneous 
power,  which,  according  to  the  theory  that  I  have  elsewhere  ex- 
plained, has  partially  fused  some  portions  of  the  primary  rocks,  and 
entirely  fused  other  portions  ?  Here  the  upper  strata  are  perfectly 
regular  and  continuous:  but  as  we  descend,  we  find  the  rock  approx- 
imating nearer  and  nearer  to  unstratified  granite,  yet  retaining  some 
faint  traces  at  least  of  a  schistose  structure.  Is  it  reasonable  to  sup- 
pose, that  a  little  deeper  excavation  would  disclose  perfectly  well 
characterised  granite  ?  The  light  which  I  fancy  this  spot  throws 
upon  theory,  is  the  most  interesting  circumstance  connected  with  this 
deposit. 

Worcester  County  Gneiss. 

The  broad  ranges  of  gneiss  in  the  central  parts  of  the  State,  which 
for  distinction's  sake  may  be  called  the  Worcester  county  ranges, 
next  claim  attention.  That  range,  which  lies  west  of  the  mica  slate 
deposit  in  Worcester  valley,  extends  across  the  whole  of  Connecti- 
cut to  Long  Island  Sound  on  the  south,  and  probably  through  all  the 
western  part  of  New  Hampshire,  and  I  know  not  how  much  farther 
north.  The  most  elevated  point  of  this  range  in  Massachusetts  is 
Wachusett  Mountain,  in  Princeton,  which  rises  3000  feet  above  the 
level  of  the  ocean.  This  is  a  remarkably  insulated  peak,  nearly 


388  Scientific  Geology. 

twice  as  high  as  any  other  part  of  Worcester  county.  Its  stratifica- 
tion does  not  exhibit  much  of  that  irregularity,  which  we  should  sup- 
pose must  have  resulted  from  its  having  been  elevated  so  much  above 
the  surrounding  country:  though  its  stratification  is  certainly  very 
obscure.  And  I  am  rather  inclined  to  ascribe  such  an  origin  to  this 
mountain,  than  to  suppose  the  surrounding  country  to  have  been  once 
equally  elevated  and  subsequently  worn  away ;  since  the  rock  com- 
posing it  possesses  no  peculiar  power  of  resisting  disintegration  and 
abrasion,  that  is  not  possessed  by  the  gneiss  of  the  whole  range. 

I  would  repeat  here,  however,  a  remark  made  under  diluvium,  that 
the  gneiss  rock  of  Massachusetts  appears  to  be  peculiarly  liable  to 
disintegration;  especially  where  it  abounds  in  sulphuret  of  iron. 
Hence  it  is  that  the  gneiss  region  of  Worcester  county  furnishes  so 
excellent  a  soil.  As  we  go  westerly  upon  this  range,  and  get  into 
the  limits  of  Hampshire  and  Franklin  counties,  more  of  the  naked 
rock  appears ;  and  the  soil  generally  is  much  poorer.  But  in  Wor- 
cester county  generally  the  rock  appears  in  place  but  seldom ;  and 
the  hills  are  much  rounded.  In  the  gneiss  region  of  Hoosac  Moun- 
tain, that  has  been  described,  the  hills  are  generally  steeper,  and  the 
country  for  the  most  part  more  elevated.  The  soil  also  is  not  as  rich 
or  deep  as  in  Worcester  county. 

I  have  reason  to  believe,  though  not  from  personal  examination, 
that  the  Monadnoc  and  White  Mountains  in  New  Hampshire,  are 
essentially  composed  of  gneiss,  and  insulated  in  a  manner  similar  to 
Wachusett :  being  in  a  continuation  of  the  sam.e  range. 

Porphyritic  gneiss  prevails  extensively  along  the  western  margin 
of  the  Worcester  county  gneiss  range,  in  the  towns  of  Northfield, 
(Mass.)  and  Winchester,  (N.  H-)  It  appears  also  very  conspicuously 
on  the  high  hill  east  of  Ware  Village.  This  is  one  of  the  most  rocky 
spots  in  the  state  ;  and  the  crystalline  masses  of  feldspar  are  here  un- 
usually large.  This  range  of  porphyritic  gneiss  extends  northerly 
through  Dana,  Petersham,  &c.,  lying  immediately  east  of  the  horn- 
blende slate  exhibited  on  the  map.  It  can  be  traced  south  from  Ware 
also  through  Palmer,  &c.  Indeed,  it  is  the  most  extensive  deposit  of 
this  variety  of  rock  that  I  have  ever  found.  It  appears  that  the  pe- 
culiar causes  that  produced  it,  operated  over  a  great  extent.  Judging 
from  the  great  regularity  of  the  rock  formations  in  this  country,  I  pre- 
dict that  a  strip  of  it  may  be  found  extending  northerly  from  Long 
Island  Sound  as  far  as  the  gneiss  reaches. 

From  Hubbardston,  both  north  and  south,  to  the  boundaries  of  the 


Topography  of  Gneiss.  389 

State,  and  in  breadth  several  miles,  the  characters  of  the  gneiss 
are  greatly  obscured  by  the  iron  aspect  which  the  rocks  have  assumed 
in  consequence  of  the  decomposition  of  pyrites.  The  same  appear- 
ance is  frequent  in  other  parts  of  the  range. 

Granitic  gneiss  abounds  in  various  parts  of  this  deposit :  but  ra- 
ther more  I  think  in  the  southern  than  in  the  northern  part  of  the 
State.  In  the  west  part  of  Charlton,  for  instance,  and  so  occasionally 
all  the  distance  to  Brookfield,  one  is  often  at  a  loss  whether  the  rock 
be  gneiss  or  granite.  In  Uxbridge,  in  the  range  east  of  the  mica 
slate,  the  same  variety  abounds ;  and  still  more  frequently  on  the  east 
side  of  the  Blackstone  in  Mendon. 

That  range  of  the  Worcester  county  gneiss  just  referred  to,  which 
extends  northeasterly  into  Middlesex  county,  possesses  some  peculiar 
characters.  In  another  place  I  shall  attempt  to  show,  from  the  dip 
and  direction  of  the  strata,  that  it  belongs  to  a  different  system  of  strat- 
ification from  the  gneiss  west  of  Worcester  valley.  But  I  refer  now 
to  other  peculiarities.  One  is,  that  it  contains  numerous  beds  of  lime- 
stone, which  are  entirely  wanting  in  the  western  range.  Another  is, 
that  it  passes  so  frequently  into  mica  slate ;  the  two  rocks  often 
alternating,  and  indeed,  in  some  places,  the  slate  predominating.  In- 
deed, it  would  not  be  strange  if  some  future  geologist  should  regard 
a  part  of  this  range  as  mica  slate.  A  third  pecularity  is,  that  it 
abounds,  especially  towards  its  northeastern  extremity,  in  veins  and 
protruding  masses  of  granite. 

I  have  found  it  very  difficult  to  determine  the  exact  eastern  limits 
of  the  gneiss  range  under  consideration.  I  mean  the  line  of  its  junc- 
tion with  the  granite.  Much  of  the  gneiss  near  that  line  is  granitic, 
and  of  course  difficult  to  be  distinguished  from  granite.  In  some 
places  the  beds  and  veins  of  granite  increase  in  number  and  size  as 
we  go  easterly,  until  at  length  the  gneiss  occupies  only  a  small  pro- 
portion of  the  surface.  Near  the  junction  .of  the  two  rocks,  also,  di- 
luvium is  very  abundant ;  which  increases  the  difficulty  of  fixing 
their  limits. 

New  Bedford  Gneiss. 

On  the  first  edition  of  the  map,  I  represented  a  deposit  of  gneiss 
extending  from  Rochester  to  Little  Compton  :  but  subsequent  exam- 
ination has  rendered  it  doubtful  to  my  mind,  whether  any  thing  more 
than  small  insulated  patches  of  this  rock  are  to  be  found  west  of  New 
Bedford.  Gneiss  of  a  peculiar  character,  does,  indeed,  appear  in 


390  Scientific  Geology. 

Little  Compton  ;  but  in  the  intervening  space  I  have  never  met  with 
any  rocks  in  place  but  granite ;  and  this  rarely.  For  the  accumula- 
tion of  diluvium  in  that  quarter  of  the  State  is  very  great ;  and,  in- 
deed, the  towns  of  New  Bedford,  Fairhaven,  and  Rochester,  might 
be  regarded  as  diluvial  without  impropriety :  but  as  I  have  met  there 
with  gneiss  in  some  instances,  I  do  not  hesitate  to  represent  a  deposit 
of  gneiss  in  those  places ;  being,  however,  much  in  doubt  as  to  its 
actual  limits. 

Almost  all  the  varieties  of  gneiss  that  have  been  described,  may  be 
found  in  the  vicinity  of  New  Bedford.  In  that  place  it  is  schistose, 
and  passes  into  mica  slate.  There,  too,  we  find  a  beautiful  variety  of 
porphyritic  gneiss  in  bowlders ;  the  masses  of  feldspar  being  flesh 
red  and  about  the  size  of  a  hazle  nut. 

Schistose  and  Stratified  Structure  :  Dip  and  Direction  of  the 

Strata, 

In  no  rock  in  the  State  are  the  slaty  and  stratified  structures  so  dis- 
tinctly marked  in  the  same  rock,  as  in  gneiss.  The  strata  are  usu- 
ally thick ;  and  where  no  local  cause  of  irregularity  exists,  remark- 
ably even  and  continuous.  Hence  the  facility  with  which  the  quar- 
ry men  cleave  out  slabs  of  gneiss,  20  or  30  feet  long,  and  half  as 
many  wide.  But  these  same  slabs,  when  dressed,  often  exhibit  a 
schistose  structure  of  remarkable  irregularity, — the  laminae  being 
much  bent  and  composed  of  different  ingredients,  so  as  to  give  to  the 
rock  the  appearance  of  a  variegated  or  clouded  marble.  The  under- 
pinning of  most  of  the  buildings  in  Amherst,  particularly  of  the  vil- 
lage church,  exhibits  this  appearance  most  strikingly.  The  rock, 
however,  will  not  cleave  in  the  direction  indicated  by  these  contorted 
layers,  any  easier  than  in  other  directions.  And  hence  in  strictness 
of  language  it  ought  rather  to  be  regarded  as  a  foliated  than  a  schis- 
tose structure.  Hence,  too,  this  structure  does  not  injure  the  rock  for 
architectural  purposes. 

The  following  sketch  exhibits  a  very  striking  case  of  this  foliated 
structure,  as  it  is  developed  on  the  surface  of  a  bowlder,  several  feet 
square,  lying  by  the  side  of  the  road  in  Colebrook,  Connecticut ;  a  few 
miles  south  of  the  Massachusetts  line.  These  curvatures  are  much 
larger  than  is  usual  and  more  distinct.  They  appeared  to  be  entirely 
independent  of  the  stratification. 


Curvatures  in  Gneiss. 


391 


Curvatures  in  the  Folia  of  Gneiss  :  Colebrook,  Ct. 


These  curvatures  are  not,  however,  confined  to  the  laminae  of  gneiss, 
but  are  sometimes  seen  in  the  strata.  About  one  mile  before  reach- 
ing the  meeting  house  near  the  center  of  New  Marlborough,  on  the 
south  side  of  the  road,  the  the  traveler  will  see  an  overhanging  ledge 
of  stratified  gneiss,  dipping  from  40°  to  50°  east,  whose  edges  are  bent 
as  in  the  annexed  sketch.  The  whole  length  of  the  strata  here  ex- 
hibited, (from  A  to  JB,)  is  12  feet ;  and  their  breadth  about  four  feet. 


Curved  Strata  of  Gneiss  :  New  Marlborouffh. 


392  Scientific  Geology. 

This  ledge  has  been  described  by  Prof.  Dewey,  under  the  name  of 
mica  slate :  but  I  have  already  given  the  reasons  that  have  led  me  to 
differ  from  him  on  this  point. 

The  suggestions  that  have  been  made  in  treating  of  mica  slate,  in 
regard  to  the  causes  of  such  flexures  in  rocks,  are  equally  applicable 
to  the  rock  under  consideration  ;  and  therefore  I  shall  add  no  more 
in  this  place  on  the  subject. 

It  will  appear  from  the  following  notes,  relative  to  the  dip  and  di- 
rection of  the  strata  of  gneiss  in  Massachusetts,  that  this  rock  con- 
forms to  at  least  three  systems  of  stratification.  The  Hoosac  moun- 
tain range,  and  the  western  part  of  the  Worcester  county  range 
exhibit  one  system :  the  branch  of  this  latter  range,  which  extends 
into  Middlesex  county,  belongs  to  a  second  without  much  doubt :  that 
portion  of  it  in  the  southeast  part  of  Worcester  county  and  in  Rhode 
Island  seems  to  belong  to  a  third,  and  perhaps  the  New  Bedford 
gneiss  to  a  fourth.  But  more  of  this  hereafter. 

Hoosac  Mountain  Range. 

Direction.  Dip. 

Cheshire,  east  part,  N.  and  S.  20  to  30°  E. 

Windsor  to  north  part  of  Peru,        N.  and  S.  East. 

Chester  to  Becket,  N.  and  S.  80  to  90°  E. 

Colebrook,  Ct.  to  West  Granville.     N.  and  S.  nearly  90°  E. 

Whitingham,  Vt.  N.  and  S.  30'  W. 

Wilmington,  Vt.  -     N.  30°  E.  30  to  70°  W. 

do.  to  Somerset,  N.  and  S.  West,  large. 

Buckland,  -     N.  and  S.  10  to  20°  E.,  and 

10  to  20°  W. 
the  latter  rather  predominating. 

Range  West  of  Worcester  Valley. 

Direction.  Dip. 

Brimfield,                                      -  N.  and  S.  45°  W. 

do.       to  Sturbridge,  N.  and  S.  20  to  80°  W. 

.Sturbridge  to  Charlton,        -         -  N.  and  S.  45°  W. 
Monson   to   Sturbridge   through 

Wales  and  Holland,     -         -  N.  and  S.  45  to  70°  W. 

Plumbago  Mine,  Sturbridge,  N.  30°  E.  60  to  70°  N.W. 
Sturbridge   through  Southbridge 

to  Dudley,  the  dip  gradually 

decreasing,                              -  N.  and  S.  60  to  25°  W, 


Direction  and  Dip  of  the  Sir  ate 


395 


Direction. 

Dip. 

Oxford,  west  part, 

N.  and  S. 

10°  E.  :    usually 

west,  and  large. 

Charlton  to  Brookfield, 

N.  and  S. 

20  to  40°  E. 

Western, 

N.  and  S.  nearly  20°  a  little  S.  W. 

Enfield,      - 

N.  and  S. 

90°  nearly. 

do.     to  Amherst, 

N.  and  S. 

10  to  30°  E. 

Spencer,  center, 

N.  and  S. 

West,  small. 

do.        two  miles  east, 

N.  and  S, 

20°  E. 

Hardwick, 

N.  and  S. 

20  to  30°  W. 

do.         to  Spencer, 

N.  and  S. 

20°  W. 

New  Braintree, 

N.  and  S. 

20  to  30°  W. 

Ware,     - 

N.  and  S. 

20°  W.             , 

Leicester  towards  Worcester 

N.  and  S. 

West,  small. 

Pelham,  west  part, 

N.  and  S. 

20  to  30°  W. 

do.       north  part,     • 

N.  and  S. 

15  to  20°  E. 

do.       to  Prescott, 

N.  and  S. 

20  to  30°  E. 

Shutesbury,                  ... 

N.  and  S. 

45  to  9o°  E. 

do.         Lock's  Pond, 

N.W.  and  S.E. 

45°  N.E. 

Leverett,  north  part,     - 

N.W.  and  S.E. 

0°  to  45°  N.E. 

Petersham,      .... 

N.  and  S. 

40  to  50°  W. 

Hubardston, 

N.  and  S. 

30°  W. 

Rutland, 

N.  and  S. 

E.  very  small. 

Princeton,  embracing  Wachusett, 

N.  and  S. 

10  to  20°  E. 

do.         towards  Sterling, 

N.  and  S. 

nearly   hori- 

zontal. 

New  Salem  to  Templeton,    - 

N.  and  S. 

nearly  90°. 

Warwick, 

between  N.E. 

and  North. 

Easterty, 

Warwick  to  Royalton, 

N.  and  S. 

60  to  80°  E. 

Winchendon,   west   part,  to   Ash- 

burnham, 

N.  arid  S. 

West,  various. 

Ashburnham  to  Fitchburg, 

N.  and  S. 

West,  small. 

Townsend  to  Rindge,  N.  H. 

N.  30°  E. 

10  to  25°  N.W. 

Rindge,  N.  H.,  west  part, 

N.  and  S. 

30  to  40°  W. 

Winchester,  N.  H.  towards  North- 

field,         .... 

N.  and  S. 

20  to  30C  E. 

50 


394 


Scientific  Geology. 


Range  East  of  Worcester  Valley  :  North  Part  of  the  Range. 

Direction.                        Dip. 

Bolton,    - 

N.E.  and  S.W.    60  to  70°  N.  W. 

Boxborough,  limestone  quarry, 

-     N.E.  and  S.W.    60  to  70°  N.W. 

do.          west  part, 

N.E.  and  S.W.    90°. 

•     N  E  and  S  W     60  to  90°  N  W 

Chelmsford,  limestone  quarry, 

N.E.  and  S.W.    70  to  80<>  N.W. 

Worcester  to  Berlin,    - 

-    N.E.  and  S.W.    20to90°N.W.? 

Concord, 

nearly  N.  and 

South.                   nearly  90°  W. 

Worcester,  southeast  part,    - 

-     N.  several  de-     70  to  80°  W. 

grees  E. 

South  Part 

of  the  Range. 

Direction.                        Dip. 

Worcester  to  Grafton, 

-     S.  several  de- 

grees W.              45  to  90o  W. 

Grafton  to  Upton,     - 

S.E.  and  N.W.    N.E.  small. 

Mendon, 

-    S.E.  and  N.W.    20  to  30°  N.E. 

Douglass, 

S.E.  and  N.W.    25  to  30°  N.E. 

Westborough    to    Hopkinton 

Springs, 

-    S.E.  and  N.W.    30°  N.E. 

Uxbridge,         -        .        . 

E.  and  W.  to 

S.E.  and  N.W.    25°  N.  and  N.E. 

Sutton          .... 

E  and  W             30°  to  35°  N 

do.     Purgatory, 

S.E.  and  N.W.    25°  N.E. 

Burrillville  and  Smithfield,  west 

part, 

nearly  E.  and 

West.                    25°  to  30°  N. 

New  Bedford  Gneiss. 

Direction.                         Dip. 

New  Bedford,  (town,) 

-     E.  20°  N.             55°  N.W. 

do.         Palmer's  Island, 

E.  and  W.            35°  N. 

Rochester, 

E.  and  W.            35°  N. 

Little  Compton.  R.  I. 

-     N.E.  and  S.W.    35°  S.E. 

The  greatest  irregularity  in  the  dip,  as  shown  in  the  preceding  ta- 
ble, exists  in  the  gneiss  in  the   western  part  of  Worcester  county. 


Minerals  in  G?ieiss.  395 

Yet  the  direction  is  pretty  uniform,  being  usually  north  and  south. 
And  in  respect  to  the  dip,  I  think  it  obvious  that  a  westerly  dip  pre- 
dominates, being  rather  largest  towards  the  western  side  of  the  range. 
Thus  is  it  represented  on  Plates  XVII.  and  XVIII.  From  those 
sectional  views,  it  will  be  seen  that  this  westerly  dip  is  most  uniform 
across  the  southern  part  of  the  range.  In  the  central  section,  the  dip 
becomes  east  towards  the  western  part,  and  still  more  so  in  the  most 
northerly  section. 

The  smallness  of  this  dip  in  many  places  is  another  striking  cir- 
cumstance in  this  same  range.  If  we  have  any  rock  that  would  be 
selected  for  the  oldest  described  by  geologists,  it  is  this  gneiss  :  and 
hence  we  see  how  deceptive  was  the  old  rule,  which  taught  us  that 
the  relative  ages  of  rocks  might  be  determined  by  their  dip. 

Mineral  Contents. 

In  some  parts  of  the  world  gneiss  is  remarkable  as  the  repository 
of  a  number  of  the  precious  stones.  In  Ceylon,  for  instance,  where 
gneiss  is  the  prevailing  rock,  it  contains  of  the  quartz  family,  rock 
crystal,  amethyst,  rose  quartz,  cat's  eye,  prase,  and  hyalite :  also  topaz, 
schorl,  pyrope,  cinnamon  stone,  zircon,  spinelle,  sapphire,  and  co- 
rundum.* Hitherto  the  gneiss  of  Massachusetts  has  not  yielded  so 
rich  a  supply.  But  it  affords  enough  of  the  same  minerals,  to  prove 
a  strong  analogy  between  the  causes  that  produced  these  deposits  in 
parts  of  the  globe  so  widely  separated.  Especially  will  this  be  true,  if 
we  regard  the  limestone  beds  in  the  northeast  branch  of  the  Worces- 
ter gneiss  range,  as  a  part  of  this  formation ;  and  this  is  certainly 
reasonable.  For  in  these  beds  have  been  found  spinelle,  .a  garnet 
which  is  probably  cinnamon  stone,  asparagus  stone,  nephrite,  and 
precious  serpentine :  and  the  following  statement  will  show  that  sev- 
eral others  of  the  Ceylon  minerals  have  also  been  found  in  the  gneiss 
itself. 

By  far  the  most  important  mineral  hitherto  found  in  our  gneiss,  is 
graphite.  As  described  in  the  first  part  of  my  Report,  its  most  impor- 
tant locality  is  in  Sturbridge.  It  occurs  in  other  places,  however,  as 
in  North  Brookfield,  in  Brimfield,  in  Hinsdale  and  New  Marl- 
borough;  though  I  am  not  sure  that  in  the  two  last  named  localities, 
the  gangue  is  gneiss,  The  plumbago  in  Sturbridge,  which  is  situated 

*  Geological  Transactions,  vol.  5.  p.  318. 


396  Scientific  Geology. 

only  two  miles  north  of  the  Connecticut  line,  and  near  the  western 
line  of  the  town,  has  been  explored  in  some  places  to  the  depth  of  60 
or  70  feet.  I  have  already  described  it  so  fully  as  to  render  it  ne- 
cessary to  add  only  a  few  remarks  respecting  its  geological  situation 
and  mineralogical  characters  and  associations.  It  is  most  decidedly 
a  bed  in  a  dark  colored  gneiss,  which  here  dips  from  60°  to  70°  west, 
and  runs  N.  30°  East,  and  S.  30°  West.  In  immediate  contact  with 
the  gneiss,  we  find  frequently  lamellar  brownish  hornblende,  which 
is  also  disseminated  to  a  considerable  extent  in  the  gneiss. 

The  lustre  of  this  plumbago  is  highly  metallic.  Its  structure  is 
between  scaly  and  fine  granular.  Sometimes,  however,  there  is  an 
obvious  approximation  to  distinct  crystals  ;  though  mineralogists  are 
not  agreed  that  this  substance  has  ever  been  found  in  such  a  state. 
Judging,  however,  from  specimen  No.  1075  and  from  what  the  work- 
men told  me,  I  suspect  that  if  crystalized  graphite  occurs  any  where, 
it  may  be  found  at  Sturbridge. 

There  is  another  variety  found  at  this  locality,  which  is  distinctly 
fibrous ;  the  fibres  being  from  one  to  two  inches  long.  On  examina- 
tion, these  fibres  are  found  to  be  composed  of  distinct  lamellae,  which 
are  sometimes  so  bent  as  to  give  the  mass  a  fibrous  appearance ; 
as  happens  in  certain  varieties  of  mica  slate  :  but  more  commonly 
these  lamellae  actually  separate  longitudinally  into  very  narrow 
prisms,  like  prismatic  mica.  (No.  1074.) 

At  this  mine  I  noticed  phosphate  of  lime  in  small  quantity.  At  the 
most  southerly  excavation,  also,  I  noticed  hydrate  of  iron,  in  a  cross 
fissure  in  the  gneiss,  and  forming  with  the  ingredients  of  the  rock  a 
brecciated  mixture.  Vegetable  relics  are  sometimes  seen  enveloped 
in  the  mass.  Haifa  mile  north  of  the  meeting  house  in  north  Brook- 
field,  I  noticed  a  similar  breccia,  forming  a  bed  in  gneiss  a  foot  or  two 
in  thickness :  though  here  I  saw  no  vegetable  remains. 

In  both  these  cases,  I  think  we  must  regard  this  iron  ore  as  having 
been  infiltrated  into  cavities  in  the  gneiss,  at  a  recent  date ;  and, 
therefore,  in  fact,  as  an  alluvial  deposit ;  although  at  Brookfield  the 
iron  forms  a  distinct  bed  in  the  gneiss.  But  the  rock  contains  abund- 
ance of  decomposing  sulphate  of  iron,  which,  as  we  have  already 
seen,  produces  bog  iron  of  exactly  the  same  aspect  as  that  above  de- 
scribed :  and  it  is  not  impossible  that  from  this  cause  a  cavity  in  the 
rock  that  was  originally  small,  might  have  been  much  enlarged ; 


Minerals,  in  Gneiss.  397 

while  the  exfoliated  fragments  would  go  to  make  up  the  brecciated 
mass  above  described. 

After  what  I  have  said  under  graywacke  and  mica  slate,  in  respect 
to  the  origin  of  anthracite  and  plumbago,  it  will  be  repetitious  to  add 
any  thing  farther  on  this  subject.  It  may  be  that  I  am  too  much  cap- 
tivated with  the  beautiful  simplicity  of  the  principle,  which  refers 
every  variety  of  peat,  lignite,  bituminous  and  anasphaltic  coal,  and 
plumbago,  to  a  vegetable  origin.  But  at  present,  I  must  regard  that 
opinion  as  far  more  probable  than  any  other. 

It  will  be  well  for  observers  to  bear  in  mind  a  remark  of  Dr.  Davy 
relating  especially  to  the  gneiss  of  Ceylon.  "It  is  worthy  of  remark," 
says  he,  "  that  graphite  is  generally  found  in  company  with  gems. 
I  have  had  so  often  occasion  to  make  the  observation,  that  I  now 
never  see  the  former  without  supposing  the  presence  of  the  latter."* 

A  mineral  occurring  in  our  gneiss,  and  often  confounded  with 
graphite,  is  the  sulphuret  of  molybdenum.  I  have  noticed  this  in 
Brimfield  in  scales  ;  and  in  the  north  part  of  Shutesbury,  a  little  east 
of  Locke's  Pond,  it  has  been  found  in  hexagonal  plates  nearly  an 
inch  in  diameter. 

The  mineral  found  in  our  gneiss,  which  next  to  graphite  will 
excite  most  interest  in  an  economical  point  of  view,  is  the  native 
alum  mentioned  in  a  postscript  to  the  first  part  of  my  Report.  It 
is  there  stated  to  be  found  efflorescing  on  mica  slate ;  but  I  have  sat- 
isfied myself  that  it  is  that  schistose  variety  of  gneiss,  which  is  pass- 
ing into  mica  slate.  There  is  mixed  with  it  more  or  less  of  sul- 
phate of  iron,  and  both  minerals  proceed  from  the  decomposition  of 
iron  pyrites,  and  probably  feldspar.  This  last  mineral  contains,  as 
is  well  known,  a  considerable  quantity  of  potassa ;  and  I  can  imag- 
ine no  other  source  from  whence  this  essential  ingredient  of  alum 
should  be  obtained.  Nor  will  any  one  doubt,  who  has  seen  how 
thorough  is  often  the  decomposition  of  the  gneiss  that  contains  pyri- 
tes, that  this  potassa  might  be  separated.  I  am  not  aware  that  alum 
has  been  heretofore  found  in  gneiss  :  but  since  this  rock  does  contain 
so  much  potassa,  and  if  it  can  thus  be  separated  from  the  feldspar,  why 
may  not  our  gneiss  prove  a  very  prolific  source  of  alum  ?  I  do  not 
know  that  any  special  efforts  have  been  made  to  ascertain  whether  it 
can  be  procured  in  much  quantity  from  the  rock  in  Leominster :  but 
recently  I  have  received  a  specimen  from  Barre,  and  it  occurs  also 

*  Geological  Ttunsactioi),  vol.  5.  p.  3ii3. 


398  Scientific  Geology. 

in  Ware.  And  I  can  have  no  doubt  that  any  part  of  the  gneiss 
range,  where  pyrites  is  decomposing,  will  produce  it.  It  may  be 
hoped  that'  a  fair  trial  will  erelong  be  made  to  obtain  this  sub- 
stance. This  is  not  the  proper  place  to  make  suggestions  as  to  the 
best  mode  of  proceeding.  Suffice  it  to  say,  that  no  effort  should  be 
made  on  a  large  scale,  without  consulting  some  practical  chemist. 

The  Worcester  county  gneiss  ranges  contain  in  many  places,  an 
abundance  of  blood  red,  often  ruby  red,  and  translucent  garnets. 
Often  they  are  extremely  minute  and  perfectly  crystalized  ;  but  some- 
times, as  in  Brookfield,  they  are  more  than  half  an  inch  in  diameter, 
and  the  crystal  is  very  imperfect.  At  length  it  becomes  perfect  py- 
rope.  And  it  is  a  curious  fact  that  there  is  a  strip  of  gneiss,  (some- 
times approximating  to  mica  slate,)  extending  from  Norwich  in  Con- 
necticut, half  across,  and  probably  entirely  across,Massachusetss,  which 
abounds  in  this  mineral.  This  strip  passes  along  the  western  part  of 
Wales,  Brimfield,  Ware,  &c.  In  no  place,  however,  except  Brimfield, 
is  the  color  of  this  garnet  so  delicate  as  in  Norwich,  Ct.  where  it  is 
found  in  mica  slate. 

The  foliated  masses  of  feldspar  in  the  porphyritic  gneiss  passing 
through  Brimfield,  Ware,  &c.  are  frequently  a  delicate  adularia.  In 
Southbridge,  in  a  decomposing  ledge  of  gneiss,  near  the  center  of  the 
place,  the  feldspar  is  of  a  delicate  green,  yet  almost  transparent ;  be- 
ing quite  elegant  when  polished.  (No.  1086.)  In  cavities  in  the 
gneiss  in  Boxborough,  I  found  distinct  yet  not  handsome  crystals  of  feld- 
spar. The  same  occur  with  actynolite,  augite,  and  sphene,  in  Pelham. 

Common  schorl  is  frequently  seen  in  the  gneiss  of  Massachusetts, 
as  in  Athol,  Pelham,  and  New  Braintree.  In  the  latter  place,  the 
crystals  have  distinct  acuminations.  Often,  as  in  Athol  and  Pelham, 
epidote,  sometimes  in  crystals,  is  associated  with  the  schorl. 

In  the  New  Bedford  gneiss,  as  I  was  informed  by  T.  A.  Greene 
Esq.  epidote  occurs  along  with  the  red  oxide  of  titanium.  In  the 
gneiss  in  Pelham,  I  have  noticed  some  crystals  of  sphene  as  just 
mentioned.  But  the  sphene  which  I  lately  found  in  the  augitic  gneiss 
in  the  east  part  of  Lee,  is  finer  than  any  I  have  met  with  in  New  Eng- 
land. (No.  1091.)  The  crystals  are  very  oblique  rhombic  prisms, 
variously  modified  at  their  extremities  ;  resembling  those  represented 
on  Plate  XII,  figs.  47,  48,  and  49  of  Beudant's  Mineralogy. 

It  has  already  been  repeatedly  stated,  that  the  sulphuret  of  iron  is 
one  of  the  most  abundant  of  the  minerals  in  the  gneiss  of  Worcester 
county.  In  Hubbardston,  as  I  have  mentioned  elsewhere,  this  ore  is 


Minerals  in  Gneiss.  399 

wrought  for  the  preparation  of  copperas.  In  the  gangue  of  the  ore 
occurs  a  mineral  which  exceedingly  resembles  peliom,  though  it  may 
be  blue  quartz.  It  deserves  farther  examination. 

Magnetic  oxide  of  iron  is  sometimes  met  with  in  small  disseminated 
masses  in  gneiss,  as  in  Athol  and  Shelburne. 

Arsenical  sulphuret  of  iron  is  said  to  occur  in  Leicester  in  gneiss. 

In  Pelham  we  meet  in  this  rock,  with  well  characterised  specimens 
of  anthophyllite. 

In  that  town,  also,  is  a  great  abundance  of  finely  crystalized 
quartz.  Some  of  the  crystals  are  quite  delicate.  They  are  common- 
ly limpid,  though  sometimes  of  a  light  brown  color,  and  sometimes 
of  a  fine  topaz  yellow,  being  genuine  yellow  quartz.  Rarely  are  they 
amethystine.  Not  unfrequently  large  cavities  are  drusy,  and  present 
fine  specimens.  The  crystals  vary  in  size,  from  two  inches  in  diam- 
eter to  the  fineness  of  a  sewing  needle.  It  is  not  easy  to  ascertain 
the  precise  situation  of  this  quartz  in  the  gneiss  ;  since  it  is  seen  only 
in  loose  masses  scattered  over  several  acres.  Probably,  however,  it 
constitutes  a  vein.  I  observed  no  metallic  substance  in  it,  except  a 
little  sulphuret  of  iron. 

Associated  with  this  quartz  are  found  beautiful  specimens  of  ma- 
millary  chalcedony,  (No.  1002.)  Rarely  it  is  of  a  milk  white 
color  ;  but  commonly  of  a  delicate  blue.  Sometimes  it  may  be  seen 
investing  distinct  crystals  of  quartz,  thus  showing  its  origin  to  be 
watery  infiltration  beyond  all  question. 

It  has  already  been  mentioned  that  steatite  and  serpentine  occur  in 
beds  in  our  gneiss.  In  Millbury,  a  variety  of  the  former  has  been 
found,  which  has  been  called  vermiculite,  on  account  of  its  singular 
property  of  shooting  forth  vermiform  masses,  when  exposed  to  heat ; 
thus  giving  to  the  specimens,  when  in  the  fire,  the  appearance  of 
worms  in  motion. 

I  have  seen  a  specimen  of  gray  copper  from  Brimfield ;  and  from 
the  geological  constitution  of  that  region,  I  infer  that  it  originated 
from  gneiss. 

In  Washington,  Ct.  the  gneiss  contains  mesotype  and  stilbite ;  and 
at  Bellows  Falls,  on  the  Vermont  shore,  a  radiated  mineral  of  the 
zeolite  family,  with  another  in  small  and  distinct  crystals,  which  I 
shall  describe  under  greenstone,  as  a  new  species,  by  the  name  of 
Lincolnite. 


400  Scientific  Geology. 

Theoretical  Considerations. 

Since  gneiss  is  composed  of  the  same  simple  minerals  as  granite, 
it  is  natural  to  infer  that  both  must  have  had  a  similar  origin.  And 
especially  are  we  led  to  such  a  conclusion,  when  we  see  in  granitic 
gneiss  a  gradual  passage  from  the  one  rock  into  the  other.  That 
granite  has  resulted  from  heat,  instead  of  aqueous  deposition,  seems 
to  me  to  be  so  well  established,  that  the  opinion  that  imputes  to  it 
such  an  origin,  ought  no  longer  to  be  regarded  as  hypothesis, 
but  as  legitimate  theory.  Thus  it  is  regarded  by  nearly  all  the 
ablest  geologist  of  Europe ;  and  in  the  proper  place  I  hope  to 
show  that  our  granite  presents  equally  strong  evidence  of  such  an 
origin  as  that  on  the  eastern  continent.  At  present  I  shall  assume 
that  theory  to  be  the  correct  one,  which  supposes  granite  to  have  re- 
sulted from  the  melting  down  of  other  rocks ;  the  fused  mass  having 
cooled  so  slowly  as  to  present  a  confused  crystalization.  It  is  at  least 
a  probable  supposition,  that  the  rock  out  of  which  it  was  produced, 
was  of  mechanical  origin,  and  consequently  stratified.  Now  if  the 
central  heat  was  not  sufficient  entirely  to  melt  this  stratified  rock,  yet 
it  would  be  powerfully  affected  a  considerable  distance  upward  from 
the  molten  mass.  The  first  in  immediate  contact  with  the  melted  por- 
tion, would  be  partially  fused,  and  hence  give  origin  to  granitic  gneiss. 
Another  portion  might  be  converted  in  porphyritic  gneiss ;  an- 
other into  lamellar ;  another  into  schistose ;  &c.  All  the  lock  we 
may  suppose  so  near  the  fluid  granite,  and  so  long  in  contact  with  it, 
before  cooling,  that  a  crystalline  would  succeed  to  a  mechanical  ar- 
rangement of  all  its  ingredients,  without  losing  the  stratified  dispo- 
sition. 

The  facility  with  which  this  hypothesis  explains  the  graduation  of 
gneiss  into  granite,  arid  the  crystalline  and  especially  the  porphyritic 
structure  of  the  gneiss,  is  the  principal  argument  in  its  support.  Such 
effects  we  know  might  have  resulted  from  heat :  but  they  could  not 
have  resulted  from  watery  solution. 

As  to  the  mechanical  rock  from  which  gneiss  was  produced,  ac- 
cording to  this  theory,  we  are  left  only  to  conjecture.  Most  probably 
it  was  a  coarse  micaceous  sandstone,  which  resulted  from  the  disin- 
tegration of  granite,  previously  existing.  When  hornblende  slate  al- 
ternates with  the  gneiss,  we  have  only  to  suppose  that  formerly  clay 
slate  was  interstratified  with  the  sandstone  :  and  where  there  is  an  in- 
terlamination  of  mica  slate  and  gneiss,  we  have  only  to  suppose  that 


Theoretical  Considerations.  401 

in  some  portions  of  the  sedimentary  rock,  the  necessary  ingredients 
for  the  production  of  feldspar  were  wanting.  In  the  same  manner, 
the  quartz  rock  associated  with  the  gneiss,  might  have  proceeded  from 
a  sandstone  composed  chiefly  of  siliceous  sand. 

According  to  this  view  of  the  subject,  granite,  and  perhaps  other 
primary  rocks,  must  have  existed  anterior  to  those  which  now  form 
the  crust  of  the  globe  ;  and  from  the  detritus  of  which,  the  existing 
primary  rocks  were  produced;  being  subsequently  indurated  and 
crystalized  by  a  new  eruption  of  granite  and  other  unstratified  rocks. 
Thus  we  trace  a  number  of  successive  epochs  of  renewal  and  destruc- 
tion, before  the  earth  assumed  its  present  form :  and  now  we  see  the 
process  of  destruction  going  forward.  To  these  changes  the  mathe- 
matician who  first  developed  the  fundamental  principles  of  this  theory 
saw  no  marks  of  a  commencement,  —  no  prospect  of  an  end ;  and 
hence  he  has  been  supposed  to  defend  the  hypothesis  of  the  world's 
eternity,  and  to  exclude  a  Deity  from  its  creation  and  government. 
But  surely  his  own  theory  did  not  teach  him  that  the  earth  had  exist- 
ed in  more  than  two  states  anterior  to  the  present ;  viz.  the  state  that 
preceded  the  existence  of  our  present  primary  strata,  and  that  which 
included  these  only.  And  had  he  been  acquainted  with  the  history  of 
organic  remains,  as  the  subject  is  now  understood,  he  might  have 
known  that  there  is  no  proof  of  more  than  five  or  six  extinctions  of 
animals  and  plants  antecedent  to  the  creation  of  the  present  races;  and 
still  farther,  he  might  have  known  that  each  successive  creation  exhib- 
ited a  greater  degree  of  perfection  in  animal  natures  ;  thus  proving 
a  progressive  state  of  things  ;  which  implies  a  commencement.  And 
the  whole  history  of  the  rock  strata  shows  a  corresponding  improve- 
ment in  the  state  of  the  globe,  pointing  us  back  to  an  original  begin- 
ning. Further,  had  this  philosopher  been  as  well  acquainted  with 
the  chemistry  of  nature  as  with  her  mathematics,  he  must  have 
known,  that  an  intensely  heated  globe  could  not  have  existed  eternally 
in  that  state ;  andthat  as  there  must  ha\e  been  a  period  when  it  began, 
so  there  will  be  a  period  when  it  will  cease  to  radiate  heat ;  and,  there- 
fore, the  fundamental  principle  of  his  theory  should  have  taught  him, 
that  probably  the  world  had  a  beginning,  and  will  have  an  end.  In- 
deed if  I  understand  geology  aright,  so  far  from  teaching  the  eternity 
of  the  world,  it  proves  more  directly  than  any  other  science  can,  that  its 
revolutions  and  races  of  inhabitants  had  a  commencement,  and  that  it 
contains  within  itself  the  chemical  energies,  which  need  only  to  be  set  at 
liberty  by  the  will  of  their  Creator,  to  accomplish  its  destruction.  Be- 
51 


402  Scientific  Geology. 

cause  this  science  teaches  that  the  revolutions  of  nature  have  occu- 
pied immense  periods  of  time,  it  does  not,  therefore,  teach  that  they 
form  an  eternal  series.  It  only  enlarges  our  conceptions  of  the  Dei- 
ty ;  and  when  men  shall  cease  to  regard  geology  with  jealousy  and 
narrow-minded  prejudices,  they  will  find  that  it  opens  fields  of  re- 
search and  contemplation  as  wide  and  as  grand  as  astronomy  itself. 


UNSTRATIFIED  ROCKS. 

I  have  already  described  several  rocks,  (ex.  gr.  limestone,  serpen- 
tine, and  one  or  two  varieties  of  hornblende  slate,)  as  sometimes  strat- 
ified and  sometimes  unstratified.  But  the  rocks  which  I  include  un- 
der the  present  division,  are  never  stratified  in  the  proper  sense  of  that 
term.  They  are,  indeed,  sometimes  divided  into  parallel  masses ; 
but  in  such  cases  this  peculiar  form  seems  to  result  from  that  kind  of 
crystalline  arrangement  called  the  concretionary  structure.  The 
question  so  long  agitated,  whether  these  rocks,  particularly  granite, 
are  stratified,  seems  at  last  to  be  satisfactorily  settled  in  the  negative. 
This  character,  therefore,  may  with  propriety  be  employed  to  desig- 
nate one  of  the  great  classes  of  rocks. 

Unstratified  rocks  occupy  but  a  small  part  of  the  surface  of  any 
country.  In  Great  Britian  Macculloch  says  they  "do  not  cover  a 
thousandth  part  of  the  superficies  of  the  island.3'  In  Massachusetts 
however,  as  may  be  seen  by  the  map,  they  form  at  least  a  quarter  part 
of  the  surface. 

These  rocks  occur  in  three  modes:  1.  In  irregular  protruding 
masses,  intruded  in  almost  every  manner  among  the  stratified  rocks, 
and  enlarging  dowrnwards  indefinitely:  2.  In  the  form  of  veins  of  va- 
rious sizes,  and  often  ramified :  3.  As  overlying  masses.  It  has 
been  stated,  also,  that  they  exist  interstratified  with  other  rocks :  But 
an  examination  of  all  such  cases  has  shown,  that  such  interlaminated 
masses  are  always  connected  with  an  unstratified  mass,  and  are  mere- 
ly veins,  which  for  a  time  coincide  in  direction  with  the  strata. 

One  cannot  examine  the  unstratified  rocks  with  attention,  without 
perceiving  that  their  mode  of  production  must  have  been  in  some 
respects  different  from  that  of  the  stratified  rocks.  Not  long  since 


Introductory  Remarks.  403 

the  general  opinion  was,  that  they  originated  from  the  crystalization 
of  their  ingredients  dissolved  in  water.  At  this  day  the  belief  in 
their  igneous  origin  has  become  nearly  as  universal.  In  regard  to 
the  trap  rocks,  indeed,  this  opinion  is  almost  unanimous.  Why  there 
should  be  any  more  hesitation  in  assigning  a  similar  origin  to  gran- 
ite, I  confess  myself  unable  to  imagine.  I  should  almost  as  soon 
deny  that  the  red  rays  of  the  spectrum  proceed  from  the  sun,  after 
admitting  that  the  six  other  colors  were  produced  by  that  luminary. 
I  am  constrained  thus  early  to  express  my  conviction  of  the  igneous 
origin  of  all  the  unstratified  rocks  :  for  I  have  found  that  opinion  mar- 
velously  to  simplify  the  history  of  these  rocks ;  and  to  clear  up  may  dif- 
ficulties inexplicable  on  any  other  theory.  To  regard  these  rocks  as 
they  occur  in  the  primary  secondary  and  tertiary  classes,  as  independ- 
ent of  one  another,  and  of  the  same  age  of  the  formations  in  which  they 
occur,  and  thus  to  describe  them  as  primary,  transition,  secondary, 
&c.  produces  in  this  part  of  geology  a  perfect  chaos.  But  to  regard 
them  all  as  merely  varieties  of  the  same  melted  mixture,  whose  pe- 
culiarities resulted  from  the  modes  in  which  they  were  cooled,  and 
crystalized,  and  intruded  among  the  stratified  rocks,  does  certainly 
relieve  the  mind  of  a  host  of  doubts  and  difficulties,  and  render  the 
history  of  these  varieties  comparatively  easy,  whether  the  theory  be 
true  or  false.  On  this  supposition  we  are  no  longer  surprised  to  find 
it  impossible  to  draw  any  definite  line  between  the  different  varie- 
ties, nor  to  find  them  all  united  in  the  same  mountain  mass. 

It  must  not,  however,  be  understood  that  this  view  of  the  subject 
implies  that  all  the  unstratified  rocks  are  of  the  same  age.  For  in 
this  respect  there  is  evidence  of  nearly  as  great  diversity  as  exists 
among  the  stratified  rocks.  And  their  intrusion  among  the  stratified 
rocks  affords  an  important  clue  for  determining  their  relative  ages. 
It  is  obvious,  however,  that  the  intrusion  of  the  former  among  the 
strata  of  the  latter,  only  proves  that  the  unstratified  rock  was  formed 
posterior  to  the  stratified  one.  And  on  this  principle  it  has  been 
shown,  that  granite  has  been  protruded  even  since  the  deposition  of 
the  chalk :  while  basalt  has  cut  through  even  the  supercretaceous 
rocks ;  and  finally,  the  products  of  existing  volcanoes  overspread 
diluvium  and  alluvium. 

So  well  satisfied  am  I  of  the  correctness  of  these  views  respecting 
the  unstratified  rocks,  that  I  have  been  strongly  tempted,  according  to 
the  suggestion  of  Dr.  Macculloch,  to  treat  of  all  those  that  occur  in 
Massachusetts  as  a  single  family  ;  being  convinced  with  him,  that 


404  Scientific  Geology. 

"  geological  philosophy  must  adopt  this  (proposal)  sooner  or  later." 
But  if  that  geologist  shrink  from  taking  the  lead  in  such  an  innova- 
tion, well  may  I.  The  members  of  the  unstratified  class  in  Massa- 
chusetts are  not  numerous  ;  and  I  have  concluded  to  treat  of  them  all 
under  four  divisions,  viz.  greenstone,  porphyry,  sienite,  and  granite. 

There  would  be  some  advantages  in  treating  of  these  rocks  in  an 
ascending,  instead  of  a  descending  order :  that  is,  in  beginning  with 
granite,  taking  sienite  next,  porphyry  next,  and  greenstone  last. 
For  this  is  the  order  in  which  in  general  they  seem  to  have  been  pro- 
duced. But  for  the  sake  of  uniformity,  and  to  secure  some  other  ad- 
vantages, I  shall  invert  this  order. 

A  few  words  may  be  needful  in  this  place,  in  respect  to  the  man- 
ner in  which  these  rocks  are  represented  on  the  map.  From  the  in- 
tricate manner  in  which  the  greenstone,  sienite,  and  granite  are  mixed 
together,  in  the  vicinity  of  Boston,  I  found  it  impossible  to  give  them 
precisely  their  true  relative  space  in  the  delineation.  I  therefore  col- 
ored the  whole  space  occupied  by  them  all,  as  granite ;  and  then, 
having  observed  that  as  a  general  fact  the  greenstone  was  first  met 
with,  on  lines  radiating  from  Boston,  then  porphyry  and  sienite,  and 
lastly  granite,  I  represented  these  several  rocks  as  occupying  spaces 
somewhat  in  the  form  of  concentric  bands.  Wherever  I  observed  these 
rocks  intermingled,  however,  I  have  endeavored  to  represent  their 
mixture  by  scattering  dots  and  crosses  somewhat  promiscuously  in  the 
region.  This  method  of  course  can  give  only  an  approximation  to 
the  truth.  In  the  valley  of  the  Connecticut,  these  rocks  are  scarcely 
ever  so  confusedly  mixed  together  ;  and,  therefore,  it  is  only  in  the 
eastern  and  northeastern  parts  of  the  State  that  such  a  course  has 
been  adopted.  The  porphyry  forms  only  two  ranges,  which  are  dis- 
tinct ;  the  one  on  the  north,  and  the  other  to  the  south  of  Boston, 
except  that  a  narrow  strip  of  compact  feldspar,  —  the  base  of  por- 
phyry, —  is  marked  in  the  northern  part  of  Essex  county.  Por- 
phyry, however,  passes  by  insensible  gradations  into  sienite :  but  the 
change  commonly  takes  place  in  a  vertical  and  not  in  a  horizontal 
direction. 

15.       GREENSTONE. 

The  most  approved  definition  of  this  rock  makes  it  to  consist  of 
hornblende  with  compact  and  common  feldspar :  some  add  clinkstone, 
also  ;  but  as  this  substance  does  not  occur  in  this  part  of  our  country, 


Varieties  of  Greenstone.  405 

it  is  of  no  importance  in  the  present  instance,  whether  it  be  added  or 
not.  A  mixture  of  hornblende  and  feldspar,  the  former  in  much  the 
largest  proportion,  and  both  of  the  minerals  exhibiting  but  little  of  a 
crystalline  structure,  constitutes  the  great  mass  of  the  trap  rocks  of 
Massachusetts.  Other  varieties  do,  indeed,  occur,  composed  of 
different  ingredients  :  but  as  these  are  found  in  such  small  quantity, 
and  are  obviously  accidental  varieties,  I  have  thought  it  most  judi- 
cious to  describe  them  all  under  the  term  greenstone.  Such  a  liberty 
I  have  frequently  taken  in  the  case  of  the  stratified  rocks :  and  I 
think  it  still  less  objectionable  in  the  case  of  the  unstratified  ;  because 
there  is  much  more  diversity  of  opinion  among  geologists  as  to  the 
ingredients  that  compose  the  latter.  These  ingredients  are  often  so 
little  crystalline,  as  to  be  exceedingly  obscure  in  their  characters ; 
and  it  is,  therefore,  no  wonder  that  such  diversity  exists  even  in  the 
statements  of  the  ablest  writers.  Especially  this  is  not  surpris- 
ing, when  we  recollect,  that  until  recently,  it  was  thought  essen- 
tial to  a  good  description  of  these  rocks,  that  the  observer  should  be 
able  to  prove  that  they  belonged  either  to  the  primitive,  transition,  or 
secondary  class  of  the  stratified  rocks.  It  was  bad  enough  to  be  ob- 
liged to  stretch  the  stratified  rocks  upon  this  Procrustean  bed,  al- 
though here  these  artificial  divisions  had  some  appearance  of  natu- 
ralness :  but  in  the  unstratified  rocks,  no  facts  could  be  found  on 
which  to  base  such  an  arrangement ;  and,  therefore,  imagination 
must  supply  the  necessary  characters.  The  consequence  was,  that 
minute  and  ever  varying  mineralogical  characters  in  the  trap  rocks 
were  studied  with  scrupulous  exactness ;  while  their  geological  posi- 
tion and  chemical  and  mechanical  influence  on  other  rocks,  were 
scarcely  noticed. 

Mineralogical  Characters. 

1.  Hornblende  and  Feldspar  :  the  mixture  more  or  less  granular. 
Commonly  the  ingredients  are  so  fine  that  they  are  with  some  diffi- 
culty discerned  by  the  naked  eye.  Hence  it  is  not  easy  to  determine 
always  whether  the  feldspar  is  compact  or  foliated.  Frequently  I 
believe,  however,  that  both  varieties  will  be  found,  and  that  often  in 
the  same  specimen.  The  crystalline  structure  of  the  hornblende  is 
usually  very  indistinct.  In  the  eastern  part  of  the  State,  however, 
where  this  rock  is  associated  with  sienite,  the  two  ingredients  are  of- 
ten very  distinct,  and  the  texture  crystalline.  A  variety  occurs  on 
Mount  Holyoke  and  in  West  Springfield,  in  which  the  ingredients 


406  Scientific.  Geology. 

are  very  coarse,  and  the  feldspar,  which  is  foliated,  is  of  so  dark  a 
color  as  with  difficulty  to  be  distinguished  from  the  hornblende.  (Nos. 
1127,  1128.)  The  feldspar  is  arranged  in  stripes,  like  a  ribbon,  as 
in  the  sienite  near  Boston. 

The  compound  that  has  now  been  described,  constitutes  the  princi- 
pal part  of  the  greenstone  dikes,  ridges,  and  hummocks,  in  Massa- 
chusetts. (Nos.  1106  to  1135.)  The  same  compound  occurs  also 
in  other  forms ;  as  will  be  seen  in  the  sequel. 

2.  Columnar.  This  differs  from  the  preceding  variety  only  in 
form  :  for  its  composition  is  almost  uniformly  the  same.  Nearly  all 
the  greenstone  in  the  valley  of  the  Connecticut  exhibits  more  or  less 
of  a  conatus  at  a  columnar  structure,  except  the  tufaceous  variety. 
Yet  it  is  the  finely  granular  variety,  that  exhibits  the  most  perfect 
forms.  A  similar  conatus  appears  in  some  of  the  beds  of  green- 
stone in  the  eastern  part  of  the  State,  especially  in  Charlestown  :  but 
these  columnar  masses  are  so  imperfect,  compared  with  some  of 
those  in  the  Connecticut  valley,  that  I  shall  limit  my  remarks  en- 
tirely to  the  greenstone  occurring  in  that  valley:  and  as  it  is  more 
convenient,  I  shall  in  this  place  give  the  topography  of  the  variety 
under  consideration. 

Nearly  all  the  ridges  of  greenstone  in  the  valley  of  the  Connecti- 
cut, (for  a  reason  that  will  appear  in  the  sequel,)  present  on  their 
western  sides,  a  nearly  perpendicular  face. '  Usually,  however,  the 
angular  fragments  that  have  fallen  from  these  precipices,  have  accu- 
mulated at  the  bottom  so  as  to  form  a  steep  talus,  reaching  half  or 
two  thirds  the  distance  to  the  summit ;  and  sometimes  entirely  to  the 
top.  Where  the  rock  appears  in  the  face  of  the  cliff,  it  is  almost  al- 
ways more  or  less  columnar ;  sometimes  as  much  as  30  or  40  feet  in 
height.  In  some  cases  one  set  of  columns  is  separated  from  another 
set,  above  or  below,  by  a  stratum  or  mass  of  trap  tuff 

There  are,  however,  only  a  few  places  where  these  columns  are 
very  perfect.  Along  the  west  side  of  the  greenstone  ridge  that  forms 
the  eastern  part  of  Deerfield  mountain,  in  several  places,  about  a 
mile  east  of  the  village,  they  exhibit  great  regularity.  Usually  their 
diameter  here,  —  and  the  same  remark  will  apply  to  every  other  lo- 
cality, —  is  between  two  and  three  feet ;  rarely  as  small  as  one  foot  ; 
and  the  number  of  their  sides  between  four  and  six.  They  are  some- 
times distinctly  articulated ;  the  joints  varying  from  one  to  three  or 
four  feet  in  height.  The  articulations  are  usually  curved,  at  their  ends 
presenting  frequently  a  convexity  on  the  upper  side,  and  a  concavity  on 


Columnar  Greenstone.  407 

the  lower.  The  breadth  of  the  sides  is  considerably  unequal ;  and 
with  this  exception,  perhaps,  these  columns  might  compare  in  reg- 
ularity with  those  of  basalt  from  Ireland. 

I  have  already  given  a  general  description,  in  the  second  part  of 
my  Report,  of  an  exhibition  of  greenstone  columns  towards  the 
southern  extremity  of  Holyoke,  in  the  western  face  of  the  hill.  At 
that  place  we  see  but  little  of  articulation  :  but  a  most  remarkable 
disintegration,  or  rather  exfoliation,  is  there  constantly  going  for- 
ward ;  as  the  immense  number  of  fragments  at  the  base  of  the  cliff 
testifies.  The  pieces  that  split  or  scale  off,  are  of  almost  every  shape  ; 
but  they  are  commonly  rather  thin,  sometimes  in  curved  laminae  an 
inch  or  two  thick.  When  the  lower  part  of  a  column  begins  thus  to 
scale  off,  the  fissures  take  such  a  direction  as  to  leave  the  under  side 
of  the  column,  still  projecting  from  the  precipice,  in  the  form  of  a 
hemisphere,  or  more  commonly  in  the  form  of  paraboloid ;  and  not 
unfrequently  of  a  lenticular  form.  And  in  one  spot  at  least,  the 
upper  portion  of  two  or  three  rows  of  columns  is  suspended 
over  the  head  of  the  observer,  appearing  like  numerous  iron  kettles, 
not  less  than  three  feet  in  diameter,  hanging  from  the  rock.  This  is 
certainly  one  of  the  most  singular  natural  objects  that  I  have  ever 
met  with ;  nor  can  one  feel  at  perfect  ease  beneath  such  a  piazza, 
when  he  sees  by  how  feeble  a  hold  these  masses  of  immense  weight 
are  sustained ;  and  how  instantly  one  of  them  falling  would  grind 
him  to  powder. 

I  have  been  at  a  loss  to  decide,  whether  the  exfoliation  which  is 
exhibited  at  this  spot,  takes  place  according  to  an  original  structure 
of  the  rock,  or  is  produced  by  the  natural  action  of  the  disintegra- 
ting agents ;  such  as  air,  moisture,  heat,  and  cold,  upon  rocks  of  a 
peculiar  form.  I  can  hardly  admit  the  latter  supposition  ;  when,  on 
breaking  the  fragments,  they  are  found,  except  for  a  mere  line  at  the 
surface,  to  be  so  entirely  unchanged.  Yet  this  curved  form  of  exfo- 
liation is  not  the  only  one  exhibited  on  this  greenstone  range.  More 
frequently  the  columns  split  longitudinally,  into  somewhat  irregular 
pieces,  from  one  to  six  or  more  inches  in  diameter.  All  along  the 
western  side  of  Mount  Tom,  examples  of  this  kind  may  be  seen ; 
and  the  quantity  of  fragments  of  this  sort,  accumulated  at  the  base  of 
this  mountain,  is  immense.  Sometimes  these  fragments  are  very 
regular  in  their  forms ;  producing  prisms  of  three,  four,  five,  &c. 
sides,  and  three  to  six  inches  in  diameter.  (Nos.  1136,  1137,  1 138.) 
Again,  as  at  Titan's  Pier,  described  in  the  second  part  of  my  Report, 


408  Scientific  Geology. 

concave  layers  of  the  rock  (No.  1139)  cleave  off  from  the  upper 
extremity.  A  joint  of  this  description  will  sometimes  contain  seve- 
ral quarts  of  water ;  and  I  have  seen  one  of  them  standing  by  a  far- 
mer's well,  which  was  used  as  a  substitute  for  a  wash-bowl !  Upon 
the  whole,  I  am  of  opinion  that  the  form  of  these  exfoliations  de- 
pends upon  original  structure,  which  the  disintegrating  agents  above 
mentioned  reveal,  but  do  not  create. 

I  know  of  no  spot  where  so  good  a  view  of  the  ends  of  these 
greenstone  columns  can  be  obtained,  as  at  Titan's  Pier  above  men- 
tioned. They  are  exhibited  to  the  best  advantage  on  the  west  side  of 
the  ridge,  where  it  passes  under  the  river :  and  at  low  water,  we  can 
see  the  ends  of  the  columns  forming  the  bottom  of  the  river,  as  far 
as  the  eye  can  reach.  The  following  sketch  represents  above  twenty 
of  these  columns,  as  they  present  themselves  at  low  water,  and  close 
to  the  water,  at  the  spot  just  mentioned.  The  sides  were  not  meas- 
ured except  by  the  eye,  and  I  am  confident  that  there  is  quite  as 
much,  probably  more  regularity  in  the  columns  themselves,  than  in 
the  drawing.  The  sides,  it  will  be  seen,  vary  from  four  to  six.  The 
upper  ends  of  these  columns  are  considerably  convex :  whereas  only 
one  rod  farther  from  the  water,  as  already  mentioned,  they  are  decid- 
edly concave.  And  although  it  is  possible  that  in  the  first  case  the 
form  might  have  resulted  from  the  action  of  the  river,  yet  from  all 
that  I  have  seen,  I  much  doubt  whether  the  upper  or  lower  end  is 
uniformly  convex  or  concave. 

Both  at  Deerfield  and  at  Holyoke,  one  sometimes  meets  with  co- 
lumns that  are  considerably  curved.  In  general  they  are  not  per- 
pendicular to  the  horizon,  but  lean  from  10°  to  30°  towards  the  east. 
Hence  they  stand  about  perpendicular  to  the  strata  of  sandstone  be- 
neath. 


Ends  of  Greenstone  Columns  at  Titan's  Pier. 


Varieties  of  Greenstone.  409 

The  two  varieties  that  have  now  been  described,  comprehend  the 
greater  part  of  the  grunstein  of  Werner,  the  diorite  of  Hauy,  and 
the  diabase  of  Al.  Brongniart.  These  writers,  however,  mention 
only  compact  feldspar  as  an  ingredient :  but  Dr.  Macculloch  very 
properly  adds  common  feldspar. 

3.  Compact     In  this  variety,  which  is  almost  entirely  homogene- 
ous and  finely  granular  in  its  texture,  the  different  ingredients  can- 
not be  distinguished.     In  some  cases  it  is  probably  only  indurated 
clay,  or  wacke,  with  some  dark  coloring  matter :    in  other  cases,  it 
may  be  hornblende  and  feldspar,  completely  melted  together.      The 
aspect  of  the  rock  approaches  closely  to  some  varieties  of  basalt ;  but 
it  is  doubtful  whether  we  have  any  trap  rock  in  this  part  of  America, 
which  was  produced  at  the  same  epoch,  or  is  composed  of   precisely 
the  same  mixture,  as  the  European  basalt.     The  variety  under  con- 
sideration occurs  generally  in  the  form  of  veins ;  as  at  Nahant,  &c. 
(Nos.  1140  to  1143.) 

4.  Chiefly  Greenish  Compact  Feldspar?     This  is  a  beautiful  rock ; 
but  its  characters  are  very  obscure.     Perhaps  it  ought  to  be  described 
under  porphyry :  but  its  great  resemblance  to  the  traps,  has  led  me 
to  place  it  here.     It  occurs  in  Essex  county  along  with  sienite,  com- 
mon greenstone,  &c.  (Nos.   1144  to  1147.) 

5.  Indurated  Clay.     This  variety  is  of  limited  extent ;    occurring 
only  at  the  junction  of  greenstone  and  shale  ;  as  at  Titan's  Pier.     In 
aspect  it  approaches  to  hornstone  ;  being  of  a  light  gray  color.      In 
the  same  mass  with  this  rock,  we  usually  find  angular  pieces  of  com- 
pact trap :  so  that  in  fact,  it  might  have  been  described  under   trap 
tufa.  (Nos.  11 48  to  1150.) 

6.  Hornblende,  Augite  ?  and  Feldspar.      The  hornblende   in  this 
compound  is  in  crystalline  fragments;  and  the  mineral  which  I  sus- 
pect to  be  augite,  is  of  a   greenish   aspect,   but   scarcely  crystalline. 
The  feldspar  is  sometimes  foliated  and  in  small  quantity.     It   occurs 
only  at  Nahant,  a  little  distance  northwest  of  the  Hotel:  and  the  most 
remarkable  circumstance  in  relation  to  it,  is  its  apparent  regular  strat- 
ification.    This  is  the  only  instance  that  I  know  of  in   Massachusetts 
where  a  trap  rock  exhibits  those  parallel  divisions.     I  do  not,  howev- 
er, regard  them  as  real  strata,  for   reasons    that  will  be   hereafter 
mentioned.      (No.   1152  to  1155.) 

I  should  not  have  noticed  the  above  as  a  distinct   variety,  had  not 
its  peculiar  aspect  excited  the  suspicion  that  it  might  be  a  dolerite  of 
the  geologists  of  continental  Europe.     I  do  not  feel  satisfied  what  is 
52 


410  Scientific  Geology. 

its  real  composition :  and  I  have  even  had  a  suspicion  whether  it  may 
not  be  the  hypersthene  rock  of  Macculloch. 

7.  Porphyritic.  There  is  considerable  diversity  in  the  composition 
of  the  rocks  included  under  this  term.  Their  characters  and  situation 
deserve  a  particular  notice,  since  they  are  frequently  useful  for   orna- 
mental purposes.      (1156  to  1164.) 

On  Cape  Ann  a  variety  occurs,  which  resembles  the  black  porphy- 
ry of  the  ancients,  and  appears  to  be  the  trap  porphyry  of  Werner, 
and  the  melaphyre.  of  Al.  Brongniart.  I  should  describe  it  as  having 
a  base  of  common  greenstone,  with  large  imbedded  crystals  of  green- 
ish foliated  feldspar.  Sometimes  these  crystals  are  more  than  an  inch 
in  diameter.  It  occurs  at  Sandy  Bay,  near  the  village,  in  veins  in 
sienite.  A  similar  rock  is  found  in  veins  at  Marblehead,  according 
to  the  Messrs.  Danas;  also  in  rolled  masses  in  Dorchester,  Brook- 
line,  and  Roxbury.  I  have  noticed  the  same  rock  in  rolled  pieces  in 
Easton,  except  that  the  feldspathic  crystals  are  white.  (Nos.  1156, 
1157.) 

In  Ipswich,  west  part,  I  found  a  rolled  mass  which  appears  to  be  a 
greenstone  with  numerous  foliated  masses  of  a  shining  black  color, 
which  I  at  first  suspected  to  be  feldspar  :  but  I  am  satisfied  that  they 
are  Karinthin.  (No.  1159.) 

A  considerable  part  of  the  eastern  or  upper  side  of  the  greenstone 
in  the  Connecticut  valley,  is  very  different  in  its  composition  from  the 
principal  part  of  the  ridges.  The  basis  of  the  rock  is  wacke-like ; 
and  some  of  it  is  amygdaloidal,  and  some  of  it  porphyritic.  The  fo- 
liated masses  of  feldspar,  however,  are  so  small  and  so  numerous, 
that  I  doubt  whether  it  might  not  with  quite  as  much  propriety  be 
reckoned  as  common  trap.  I  doubt  whether  it  contains  any  horn- 
blende. Its  general  color  is  gray.  (Nos.  1163,  1164.) 

Occasionally  we  meet  among  the  greenstone  of  that  part  of  the 
State,  with  other  varieties  that  are  more  or  less  porphyritic.  No. 
1161,  from  Deerfield  has  a  compact  homogenous  base,  nearly  of  the 
color  of  brick,  with  a  few  small  imbedded  crystals  of  feldspar.  It  is 
found  in  the  same  mass  with  common  greenstone  ;  but  seems  to  have 
been  exposed  to  a  higher  degree  of  heat.  No.  1160,  from  Turner's 
Falls,  has  a  variegated  base,  whose,  nature  is  not  obvious,  with  crys- 
tals of  feldspar. 

8.  Amygdaloidal.     This  structure,  like  the  porphyritic,  is  found  in 
nearly  all  the  varieties  of  greenstone  that  have  been  described.     The 
following  are  the  most  common   of  our   amygdaloids.     (Nos.   1166 
to  1175.) 


Varieties  of  Greenstone.  411 

With  abase  of  hornblende  and  feldspar:  the  first  variety  of  green- 
stone above  described.  I  have  never  seen  any  of  this  amygdaloid 
very  regularly  columnar  :  still  it  very  frequently  exhibits  a  columnar 
tendency.  x  And  it  is  a  curious  fact  that  the  cavities  often  run  length- 
wise of  the  column,  and  are  parallel  to  one  another  ;  so  that  the  rock 
resembles  a  block  of  wood,  which  worms  have  bored  through  repeat- 
edly in  a  logitudinal  direction.  I  have  observed  some  of  these  cavi- 
ties a  foot  or  two  in  length.  (No.  1166.)  On  account  of  the  com- 
pactness of  this  rock,  these  cavities  are  usually  filled  with  foreign  sub- 
stances, such  as  calcareous  spar,  chalcedony,  quartz,  chabasie,  Lin- 
colnite,  &c.  The  best  spot  that  I  know  of  for  obtaining  specimens  of 
this  rock,  is  one  mile  directly  east  of  the  academy  in  Deerfield. 

In  the  same  ledge,  as  well  as  in  other  ledges,  the  amygdaloid 
abounds  in  spherical  or  spheroidal  cavities,  filled  with  quartz  or  cal- 
careous spar. 

What  particular  causes  produced  these  different  forms  in  the  cavi- 
ties, it  may  not  in  the  present  state  of  knowledge  be  possible  satisfac- 
torily to  ascertain.  That  they  were  all  produced  by  an  elastic  fluid, 
while  yet  the  rock  was  in  a  plastic  state,  seems  now  generally  admit- 
ted. Must  not  the  different  forms  which  they  have  Assumed,  be  im- 
puted to  inequality  of  pressure?  And  yet  the  air  vescicles  in  a  mass 
of  ice  exhibit  the  same  variety  of  shapes,  some  of  them  being  cylin- 
drical, some  spheroidal,  and  some  spherical :  nor  can  we  in  this  case 
impute  their  form  to  inequality  of  pressure.  But  whatever  the  cause 
be,  as  in  both  instances  the  effect  results  from  refrigeration,  may  it  not 
be  the  same  ? 

The  most  usual  amygdaloid  in  the  Connecticut  valley  has  a  base 
which  appears  to  be  wacke.  It  occupies,  as  already  remarked,  the 
easterly  part  of  the  ridges  wherever  I  have  examined  them.  For 
the  most  part,  it  is  liable  to  partial  decomposition  to  a  considerable 
depth  from  the  surface,  and  the  imbedded  minerals  have  entirely  dis- 
appeared. When  they  still  remain,  calcareous  spar  is  the  most  com- 
mon. Not  unfrequently,  however,  foliated  chlorite  occupies  most  of 
the  cavities ;  and  sometimes,  as  at  Turner's  Falls,  they  are  filled  with 
chlorophoeite.  Green  earth,  or  earthy  chlorite,  is  still  more  frequent- 
ly present.  Sometimes  the  base  is  of  a  reddish  hue  ;  but  commonly 
of  an  earthy  gray.  In  such  cases  the  rock  exceedingly  resembles  a 
toad  in  appearance,  and  is  probably  similar  to,  if  not  identical  with  the 
loadstone  of  some  of  the  English  geologists.  When  the  cavities  are 


- 

412  Scientific  Geology. 

empty,  the  rock  can  hardly  be  distinguished  from  some  recent  lavas. 
(Nos.  1170  to  1174.) 

All  these  varieties  with  a  wacke-like  base,  exhale  a  strong  argilla- 
ceous odour  when  breathed  upon. 

The  greenstone  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  State  is  rarely  amygda- 
loidal. 

9.  Concreted*    The  argillaceous  substance  above  described,  as  form- 
ing the  base  of  certain  amygdaloids,   sometimes  contains  numerous 
distinct  concretions  of  the  same  substance,  apparently  more  indurated. 
They  are  generally  spheroidal ;    and  the  concentric  crusts  not  more 
than  a  line  in  thickness.     Sometimes  I  have  observed  the  central  nu- 
cleus to  consist  of  a  rounded  mass  of  amygdaloid  enveloped  by  coats 
of  indurated  clay  or  wacke.      The  diameter  of  these  concretions  is 
sometimes  six  or  eight  inches:  but  usually  not  more  than  two  or  three. 
They  sometimes  occur  imbedded  in  the  next  variety  to  be  described. 
Their  most  abundant  localities,  which  I  have  noticed  in  Massachu- 
setts, is  in  Deerfield,  east  of  the  village,  and  on  Mount  Holyoke,  near 
the  road  from  Amherstto  Granby.     (Nos.  1176,  1177.) 

10.  Tufaceous.      This  embraces  all  those  rocks  that  are  composed 
of  fragments  of  any  of  the  varieties  of  greenstone  that  have  been  de- 
scribed ;  whether  these  fragments  are  angular  or  rounded  ;  united  by 
"trap  sand,"  or  the  same  materials  in  a  comminuted  state.  Sometimes, 
however,  the  rock  consists  of  angular  fragments  of  greenstone,  cement- 
ed by  calcareous  spar.  In  this  case  it  is  obvious  that  the  spar  was  intro- 
duced by  watery  in  filtration,  after  the  fragments  had  been  piled  togeth- 
er.    In  other  cases,  it  is  equally  obvious  that  the  fragments  have  been 
melted  together  :  for  we  distinguish  the  different  materials  of  which 
they  consist,  only  by  the  different  colors ;  it  being  no  easier  to  sepa- 
rate the  rock  along  the  line  where  the  fragments  unite,  than  in  any 
other  direction :  and  I  do  not  suppose  it  possible  to  unite  fragments 
so  firmly  except  by  fusion.    (Nos.  1 178  to  1 186.) 

Topography  of  the  Greenstone. 

The  parts  of  the  State  in  which  greenstone  occurs  in  sufficient 
quantity  to  be  noticed  on  a  map,  are  only  two.  In  the  eastern  and 
northeastern  part  of  the  State,  it  will  be  seen  that  there  are  extensive 
ranges.  As  we  pass  beyond  the  gray  wacke  and  argillaceous  slate 
that  encircle  Boston  on  the  north,  west,  and  south,  we  usually  find 
greenstone  to  be  the  predominant  rock.  Even  on  the  south,  in  Mil- 
ton, &c.  where  porphyry  is  represented  on  the  map  as  succeeding  to 


Topography  of  the  Greenstone. 


413 


the  gray  wacke  and  clay  slate,  we  usually  meet  with  narrow  masses 
of  greenstone,  probably  in  some  cases  interposed  among  the  layers 
of  slate.  On  the  north  of  Boston,  in  the  slate  of  Charlestown  partic- 
ularly, such  masses  or  beds  of  greenstone  are  common  ;  and  some  of 
them  so  large  that  I  have  noted  two  of  them  on  the  map.  In  this 
slate  also,  as  well  as  in  the  gray  wacke  in  other  places,  (as  at  Roxbu- 
ry,)  the  greenstone  is  found  in  veins.  At  Nahant  they  are  sometimes 
forty  feet  thick,  in  argillaceous  slate  and  sienite. 

If  we  proceed  from  Boston,  after  striking  the  deposit  of  greenstone 
above  named,  we  shall  soon  find  that  it  is  passing  into  sienite,  and 
mixed  with  sienite  in  almost  every  conceivable  mode.  In  one  place 
the  greenstone  seems  to  form  a  distinct  vein  in  the  sienite,  fhe  two 
rocks  being  well  defined  at  their  line  of  junction.  In  another  place, 
the  sienite  seems  to  form  veins  in  the  greenstone ;  although  in  such 
cases  it  is  no  easy  matter  to  determine  which  rock  should  have  the 
posteriority:  But  from  the  general  fact,  which  I  think  obvious  in  this 
region,  that  the  greenstone  has  been  produced  subsequently  to  the 
sienite,  I  think  we  should  be  cautious  in  reversing  this  order  without 
good  evidence.  In  some  cases,  however,  we  meet  with  a  reddish 
sienite  containing  numerous  and  sometimes  large  angular  and  round- 
ed fragments  of  greenstone.  I  give  a  rough  sketch  below,  of  one  of 
these  cases,  which  I  observed  in  Marblehead,  a  little  wt-st  of  the  town. 
In  this  case  the  base  of  the  rock  is  rather  a  red  granite  than  sienite, 
being  entirely  destitute  of  hornblende. 


Granite  and  Greenstone  :  TVTarblehead. 


Instances  similar  to  this  are  to  be  seen  every  where  in  the  region 
under  consideration.  And  they  certainly  appear  as  if  the  greenstone 
had  been  partially  melted  down  in  the  granite ;  though  the  heat  was 


414  Scientific  Geology. 

not  great  enough  to  complete  the  fusion.  Or  rather,  may  it  not  be 
probable,  that  the  perfect  fusion  of  the  rock  out  of  which  these  un- 
stratified  ones  were  produced,  gave  rise  to  the  granite;  while  those 
portions  that  were  not  so  entirely  fused  as  to  admit  of  entirely  new 
and  perfect  combinations  arid  crystalizations,  might  have  formed  those 
portions  of  the  rock  which  I  call  greenstone,  although  some  of  it 
might  as  well  perhaps  be  denominated  sienite.  I  am  aware  that  it  is 
not  yet  well  ascertained,  how  the  same  materials  should  at  one  time 
have  produced  granite,  at  another  sienite,  at  another  porphyry,  and  at 
another  greenstone.  But  some  other  facts  which  I  have  noticed  on 
this  subject,  and  which  will  be  detailed  in  speaking  of  granite,  render 
it  somewhat  probable  that  the  more  or  less  perfect  fusion  of  the  mate- 
rials may  have  been  the  principal  cause.  According  to  this  hypothe- 
sis, we  might  explain  how  it  happens  that  greenstone  and  sienite  for 
the  most  part,  were  produced  since  the  formation  of  granite.  For  ge- 
ology furnishes  abundant  evidence  that  the  temperature  of  the  interior 
of  the  earth  has  been  gradually  sinking,  since  the  commencement  of 
these  processes.  And  then  again,  the  later  any  rock  was  erupted  the 
less  chance  it  has  had  for  undergoing  a  second  fusion,  which,  it  may 
be,  is  all  that  is  necessary  to  convert  it  into  some  older  variety  of  rock. 
However,  1  will  not  dwell  upon  a  suggestion  that  is  so  very  hypo- 
thetical. 

As  we  proceed  farther  from  Boston,  the  sienite  increases  and  the 
greenstone  decreases  in  quantity,  and  we  begin  to  find  granite  desti- 
tute of  hornblende,  which  at  length  often  becomes  extremely  coarse ; 
as  in  Billerica,  Andover,  &c.  The  greenstone,  however,  occasional- 
ly appears  associated  with  the  perfect  granite,  as  with  the  sienite  ; 
though  I  do  not  recollect  any  instance  where  the  passage  from  the 
greenstone  to  the  granite  is  gradual,  as  is  the  case  between  green- 
stone and  sienite.  Generally  the  greenstone  forms  veins  in  the  gran- 
ite. I  have  sometimes  traced  them  not  more  than  a  foot  or  two  wide 
for  several  rods,  (as  in  Wey mouth,)  retaining  their  direction  and 
width  with  almost  mathematical  exactness. 

In  the  manner  that  has  now  been,  described,  is  the  greenstone  of 
the  eastern  part  of  the  State  intermingled  with  its  unstratified  associ- 
ates, as  the  youngest  member  of  the  group.  To  mark  out  the  pre- 
cise limits  of  this  rock  in  that  section,  would  require  immense  labor, 
both  on  account  of  the  great  quantity  of  diluvium  that  overlies  the 
rocks,  and  the  difficulty  of  drawing  the  line  in  all  cases  between  green- 
stone and  sienite.  Nor,  if  it  be  correct  that  all  these  unstratified  rocks 


Topography  of  Greenstone.  415 

are  mere  varieties  of  the  same  family,  would  such  a  demarcation  be 
of  any  great  use?  although  I  could  wish  to  see  it  done  ;  since  in  that 
way  many  facts  might  be  brought  to  light,  important  to  geology. 

Rarely  does  the  greenstone  under  consideration  form  ridges  or  ele- 
vations of  any  considerable  height.  In  Weston,  Waltham,  Lincoln, 
Lexington,  and  West  Cambridge,  this  formation  attains  its  greatest 
elevation;  which  is  never  as  much  as  500  feet  above  the  ocean. 

The  greater  part  of  the  greenstone  under  consideration  is  exceed- 
ingly hard  and  compact,  and  the  ingredients  are  with  difficulty  dis- 
tinguished. When  passing  to  sienite,  however,  they  become  coarse 
and  highly  crystalline.  Very  frequently  the  rock  has  a  greenish  as- 
pect, from  a  quantity  of  epidote  which  is  disseminated  in  it,  or  forms 
narrow  veins,  or  a  coating  upon  the  surface.  It  is  not  common,  ex- 
cept where  it  is  associated  with  the  gray  wacke,  to  see  it  exhibit  that 
brown  ;dirty  aspect  so  common  in  the  trap  rocks  of  posterior  date. 

Occasionally  we  find  examples  of  a  slaty  structure  in  this  green- 
stone. And  it  must  be  regarded  as  really  a  slaty  structure,  not  the 
result  of  a  concretionary  deposition.*  For  the  slate  generally  ap- 
pears to  be  genuine  hornblende  slate,  sometimes  rather  less  crystal- 
line, however,  than  that  rock  generally  is.  I  recollect  at  this  mo- 
ment but  three  places'" where  this  slaty  greenstone  was  observed :  viz. 
in  Lincoln,  on  the  turnpike  between  Andover  and  Boston  in  Stone- 
ham,  and  near  the  line  between  Reading  and  Wilmington.  In  a  the- 
oretical point  of  view  this  fact  seems  to  me  important ;  and  I  shall 
recur  to  it  in^the  sequel. 

Variety  No.  4,  that  has  been  described  above,  is  found  in  connec- 
tion with  sienite,  a  mile  or  two  north  of  Byfield  Academy.  Near  the 
academy  we  find  red  compact  feldspar  :  but  I  do  not  know  that  this  is 
at  all  connected  with  the  greenstone.  On  the  north  side  of  Merrimack 
river,  in  Salisbury,  opposite  Newburyport,  this  same  variety  of  rock 
occurs  in  juxtaposition  with  sienite.  Its  aspect  not  a  little  resembles 
the  varioloid  wacke  in  Saugus  ;  and  I  am  not  without  strong  suspi- 
cions that  it  may  be  the  same  rock  highly  indurated.  And  it  strength- 
ens this  suspicion  to  find  that  sometimes  in  Newbury  it  exhibits  a  va- 
rioloid structure. 

The  map  exhibits  the  most  northerly  of  the  greenstone  ranges  in 
the  Connecticut  valley  with  which  I  am  acquainted ;  though  in  Ver- 


*  Dr.  Macculloch,[;howevcr,  regards  the  slaty  structure  as  a  variety  of  the  con- 
cretionary. 


416  Scientific  Geology. 

mont  and  New  Hampshire  in  this  valley,  greenstone  occurs  in  con- 
nection with  argillaceous  and  mica  slate  :  but  probably  this  is  a  vari- 
ety of  hornblende  slate.  The  greenstone  which  I  am  now  describing, 
is  associated  with  the  new  red  sandstone:  and  ridges  of  it  may  be  seen 
extending  almost  uninterruptedly  from  New  Haven,  Ct.  to  the  north 
line  of  Massachusetts.  The  principal  ridge  commences  with  West 
Rock,  at  New  Haven,  and  extends  from  thence,  almost  in  a  right  line, 
to  Mount  Tom  in  Massachusetts.  In  Connecticut  several  other  ridges 
and  hummocks  of  this  rock  exist  to  the  east  of  this  principal  one ; 
as  may  be  seen  on  a  geological  map  of  the  Connecticut  valley,  which 
I  prepared  for  the  6th  volume  of  the  American  Journal  of  Science. 

The  principal  greenstone  ridge  above  noticed,  crosses  the  Connec- 
ticut river  between  Holyoke  and  Tom,  and  curving  towards  the  east, 
terminates  in  the  north-west  part  of  Belchertown.  At  the  southern 
extremity  of  Mount  Toby,  however,  we  meet  with  another  much 
more  diminutive  ridge,  or  dike  of  this  rock,  which  almost  coincides 
in  direction  with  the  meridian  through  Sunderland,  and  cross- 
ing Connecticut  river  near  the  north  line  of  that  town,  rises  in 
Deerfield  to  a  much  greater  altitude,  forming  the  eastern  half  of  that 
range  of  hills  which  occupies  the  eastern  part  of  that  town  and  Green- 
field. In  Deerfield  the  eastern  side  of  the  greenstone  is  very  gentle 
in  its  slope,  and  precipitous  on  its  west  side.  But  in  Greenfield,  al- 
though the  western  side  continues  to  present  a  mural  face,  its  eastern 
side  also  is  very  steep  ;  being  washed  by  the  waters  of  the  Connecti- 
cut. This  ridge  terminates  at  Turner's  Falls  in  Greenfield.  Anoth- 
er parallel  ridge  commences  at  the  same  place,  only  a  few  rods  distant 
but  on  the  opposite  side  of  a  small  river,  (Fall  river,)  in  Gill,  and  ex- 
tends more  than  a  mile  towards  the  center  of  that  town.  Beyond  the 
extremity  of  this  ridge,  I  have  not  found  any  greenstone  except  that 
which  I  have  described  as  a  member  of  the  hornblende  slate  forma- 
tion. A  deposit  of  this,  as  may  be  seen  by  the  map,  commences,  in 
the  north  part  of  Gill,  only  three  or  four  miles  north  of  the  point 
where  the  greenstone  already  described  terminates. 

The  external  aspect  of  the  greenstone  in  the  Connecticut  valley, 
is  very  different  from  that  of  the  same  rock  in  the  eastern  part  of  the 
State.  Much  of  the  latter  is  of  a  dark  color,  or  when  examined  near- 
er, of  a  green  aspect,  from  the  presence  of  epidote.  But  the  former 
almost  universally  exhibits  a  gray  or  iron  rust  color,  either  from  in- 
cipient decomposition,  or  from  the  presence  of  oxide  of  iron. 

The  most  common   variety  of  the  greenstone  in  the  Connecticut 


Topography  of  the  Greenstone.  417 

valley  is  a  fine  grained  mixture  of  hornblende  and  feldspar.  This  is 
sometimes  columnar,  as  already  described.  Not  unfrequently  too,  it  is 
amygdaloidal ;  though  the  more  perfect  this  structure,  the  less  perfect 
the  columnar.  Trap  tuffis  also  much  more  frequent  than  I  former- 
ly supposed.  Sometimes  we  find  a  mass  of  it  overlaying  a  mass  of  col- 
umns; andsometimes  itformsan  irregular  layer  between  theends  of  suc- 
cessive stories  of  columns.  A  mile  east  of  the  village  in  Greenfield,  a 
variety  of  tuff  constitutes  a  large  part  of  a  ledge  of  greenstone,  which 
in  some  places  is  more  than  a  hundred  feet  high.  I  have  observed 
this  rock  on  the  west  side  of  Mount  Tom,  also  on  Holyoke,  and 
in  various  other  places.  It  must  be  carefully  distinguished  from  the 
trap  conglomerate,  that  has  been  already  described  as  a  member  of 
the  new  red  sandstone  formation,  lying  upon  the  eastern  side  of 
Mount  Holyoke  and  Tom.  The  real  trap  tuff  contains  no  fragments 
of  sandstone  ;  whereas  in  the  trap  conglomerate,  the  sandstone  usual- 
ly forms  the  cement.  But  the  two  rocks  obviously  pass  into  each 
other. 

The  boldness  and  wildness  of  the  scenery  in  the  Connecticut  valley 
result  principally  from  the  greenstone  ridges  that  have  been  de- 
scribed. The  summits  of  these  are  often  very  irregular,  owing  to 
the  peculiarity  of  the  mode  in  which  they  were  produced,  or  to  sub- 
sequent abrasion  by  water. 

In  those  portions  of  the  State  that  are  composed  of  gneiss,  particu- 
larly in  Worcester  county,  we  frequently  meet  with  bowlders  of  a 
rock  that  appears  when  broken,  exceedingly  like  the  unstratified 
greenstone  that  has  been  described.  It  is,  however,  more  decidedly 
crystalline  in  its  structure  ;  yet  I  am  inclined  to  believe  that  it  ought 
to  be  regarded  as  unstratified  greenstone :  certainly  in  Amherst, 
where  is  a  bed  of  considerable  extent.  The  erratic  blocks  are  often 
two  or  even  three  feet  in  diameter ;  and  in  the  bed  is  no  appearance 
of  stratification.  In  two  instances,  (in  Rutland  and  near  the  mouth  of 
Miller's  river,  in  Montague,)  I  have  met  with  genuine  veins  of  green- 
stone in  gneiss;  in  neither  case,  however,  of  much  width  ;  in  the  lat- 
ter about  two  feet. 

Situation  of  our  Greenstone  in  relation  to  other  Rocks. 

This  subject  has  been  necessarily   somewhat  anticipated.      But  a 
more  particular  statement  of  facts  concerning  it  seems  desirable. 
It  has  already  been  stated  that  our  unstratified  rocks  occur  in  three 
53 


418  Scientific  Geology. 

modes :  first,  as  protruding  irregular  masses ;  secondly,  as  overlying 
masses;  and  thirdly,  as  veins.  The  first  and  last  modes  are  most 
common. 

Since  most  of  the  greenstone  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  state  is  not 
connected  with  stratified  rocks,  it  must  be  referred  to  the  first  of  these 
modes  ;  except  in  those  comparatively  few  instances,  where  it  forms 
veins  in  the  other  unstratified  rocks.  I  have  never  been  able  to  find 
a  satisfactory  example,  in  which  the  greenstone  distinctly  overlies 
either  porphyry,  sienite,  or  granite;*  although  in  numerous  instan- 
ces I  have  found  a  gradual  passage  from  this  rock  into  the  two  latter : 
But  this  is  as  likely  to  take  place  laterally  as  in  a  vertical  direction. 
Examples  of  this  gradual  transition  between  these  rocks  are  common 
south  of  the  Blue  Hills,  as  in  Randolph,  Stoughton,  &c. 

Wherever  I  have  seen  this  rock  associated  with  the  graywacke  and 
argillaceous  slate  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  state,  it  either  occupies 
veins,  or  protrudes  itself  in  some  other  form,  among,  or  between,  the 
strata.  Professor  Webster,  however,  says,  that  it  is  sometimes  su- 
perincumbent upon  the  clay  slate  in  Charlestown.f  It  has  there  also 
the  appearance  of  being  regularly  interstatified  with  the  slate :  But  I 
am  satisfied  that  this  is  a  deception  ;  that  is  to  say,  these  supposed  beds 
are  connected  with  some  unstratified  masses.  Yet  I  think  it  ex- 
tremely probable  that  some  of  the  greenstone  in  the  vicinity  of  Boston 
has  resulted  from  the  fusion  of  clay  slate  ;  and  perhaps  it  is  possible 
that  a  particular  portion  of  the  slate  might  be  converted  into  green- 
stone, while  that  around  it  might  remain  but  little  changed  ;  and  in 
such  a  case,  the  altered  rock  might  at  the  surface  appear  interstratifi- 
ed  with  the  other.  In  such  a  case,  however,  we  should  rather  expect 
that  the  slate  would  be  converted  into  hornblende  slate  :  and  Professor 
Webster  says  that  some  of  the  clay  slate  in  Charlestown  does  pass 
into  hornblende  slate :  and  I  would  remark  that  much  of  the  green- 
stone in  the  vicinity  of  Boston  resembles  exceedingly  that  variety 
which  is  associated  with  hornblende  slate:  indeed,  as  already  stated, 
some  of  it  is  associated  with  hornblende  slate.  But  for  the  most  part  it 
appears  to  have  been  subject  to  so  entire  a  fusion  that  the  schistose  and 
stratified  structure  is  lost ;  and  hence  it  seems  most  proper  to  describe 
it  as  unstratified  greenstone :  although  if  it  be  true  that  all  green- 

*  Professor  Webster  says  that  it  overlies  compact  feldspar  in  Charlestown.  Bos- 
ton Journal  of  Philosophy,  vol.  1.  p.  282. 

tBost.  Journal  Philosophy,  vol.  1.  p.  285. 


Relative  Situation  of  Greenstone.  419 

stone  results  from  the  same  source  as  hornblende  slate,  it  may  be  diffi- 
cult in  some  cases  to  distinguish  between  them. 

Professor  Webster,  in  his  excellent  account  of  the  geology  of  the 
region  around  Boston,  states  that  the  veins  of  greenstone  in.  the  gray- 
wacke  conglomerate  of  that  vicinity,  run  about  10°  W.  of  South,  and 
10°  E  of  North.  All  such  veins  are  probably  of  nearly  cotemporary 
origin:  their  parallelism  being  explicable  only  on  the  supposition  of 
their  having  been  produced  by  the  same  cause. 

The  promontory  of  Nahant  presents  an  interesting  exhibition  of 
greenstone  veins,  both  in  the  argillaceous  slate  and  the  sienite.  I 
have,  however,  described  these  veins  so  fully  under  graywacke,  that 
a  few  more  facts  only  need  be  added.  Only  a  small  remnant  of  the 
slate  remains  upon  this  promontory :  and  this  is  intersected  by  so  ma- 
ny and  so  large  veins,  that  nearly  one  half  of  the  surface  is  green- 
stone. And  yet  the  layers  of  the  slate  appear  to  have  been  but  little 
thrown  out  of  their  original  position:  for  their  dip  and  direction  cor- 
respond essentially  with  those  of  the  same  rock  in  other  places.  In 
such  cases  it  seems  to  me  impossible  that  the  slate  should  have  been 
solid  at  the  time  the  greenstone  was  intruded  among  it,  unless  we 
suppose  it  to  have  been  cut  through  with  numerous  fissures :  an  oc- 
currence which  in  the  present  case  is  hardly  probable;  since  some  of 
the  veins  are  ten  feet  thick,  and  quite  numerous ;  and  I  cannot  con- 
ceive how  mere  dessication  should  have  produced  such  fissures.  But 
I  can  conceive  how  melted  matter  may  have  been  forced  through  un- 
consolidated  clay,  without  disturbing  it  laterally  but  a  short  distance : 
and  perhaps  this  was  the  mode  in  which  the  veins  at  Nahant  were 
introduced.  If  so,  it  is  probable  that  the  consolidation  of  the  slate,  and 
even  its  conversion  into  flinty  slate,  might  have  resulted  from  this  in- 
trusion. 

There  is  one  fact,  however,  that  rather  militates  against  such  a  sup- 
position. We  find  there  two  sets  of  veins  ;  one  of  which  intersects 
the  other ;  and  penetrates  the  adjoining  slate.  We  here  trace  distinct- 
ly three  epochs  of  formation  for  the  slate  and  greenstone.  First  the 
slate,  secondly  the  veins  that  intersect  it,  and  are  themselves  intersect- 
ified  by  other  veins:  thirdly,  those  veins  that  cross  both  the  first  nam- 
ed veins  and  the  slate.  As  to  the  intervals  between  the  production  of 
these  three  varieties  of  rock,  we  can  scarcely  form  a  conjecture.  The 
slate  having  been  deposited  originally  from  water,  must  have  requir- 
ed a  period  of  considerable  length,  previous  to  its  consolidation :  But 
the  two  sets  of  veins  might  have  been  introduced  almost  simultaneous- 


420  Scientific  Geology. 

ly :  since  this  might  have  resulted  from  two  paroxysmal  efforts  of  the 
same  eruptive  force. 

The  greenstone  occupying  these  veins  at  Nahant,  varies  in  texture 
from  the  finest  siliceous  slate,  to  coarse  sienite.  The  veins  sometimes 
run  parallel  to  the  strata,  and  would  be  regarded  by  some  geologists 
as  regularly  interstratified  with  the  slate.  And  they  would  be  con- 
firmed in  this  opinion  by  the  apparently  distinct  stratification  of  one  of 
the  varieties  of  the  greenstone  on  this  promontory,  particularly  at  a 
place  about  fifty  rods  northwest  of  the  large  hotel.  The  rock  here  is 
coarse  and  appears  to  be  passing  into  sienite:  It  is  divided  into  paral- 
lel portions  by  seams  a  few  inches  apart )  and  looking  only  to  this 
spot,  I  do  not  see  why  the  evidence  of  stratification  is  not  almost  com- 
plete. But  if,  as  an  almost  universal  fact,  greenstone,  sienite,  and 
granite,  are  certainly  not  stratified,  it  is  a  presumptive  evidence  that 
they  never  are  so :  Apparent  exceptions  it  is  reasonable  to  explain 
on  other  principles.  And  in  the  pf  esent  case  there  is  a  principle  that 
may  afford  a  solution  of  such  a  case  as  that  mentioned  above.  I  refer 
to  the  formation  of  concretions  in  the  unstratified  rocks.  That  they 
are  frequently  formed  in  all  the  varieties  of  these  rocks,  the  records  of 
geology  will  testify.  Usually,  however,  they  are  only  a  few  feet,  or 
a  few  inches  in  diameter.  But  what  reason  can  be  adduced  why  they 
may  not  be  produced  of  mountainous  bulk  ?  Their  origin  is,  indeed, ob- 
scure :  but  probably  their  formation  depends  upon  some  modification 
of  the  laws  of  crystalization.  And  if  so,  who  can  tell  through  how 
large  a  mass  of  matter  these  laws  may  operate.  In  an  example  of  ap- 
parent stratification  in  our  granite,  which  I  shall  shortly  describe,  we 
have  an  opportunity  of  ascertaining  that  the  layers  are  of  a  spheroidal 
form,  although  they  cover  a  mountain  of  no  inconsiderable  size.  And 
in  all  cases  which  I1  have  met  with,  it  is  only  a  part  of  the  rock  that 
is  apparently  stratified.  This  is  the  case  at  Nahant.  There  must 
then  have  been  a  peculiarity  in  the  cause  that  could  thus  have  affect- 
ed one  portion  of  the  formation  and  not  another.  In  some  instances  I 
have  explained  a  partial  and  non-continuous  stratification  in  rocks, 
(ex.  gr.  limestone  and  hornblende  slate,)  by  supposing  one  part  en- 
entirely,  and  the  other  only  partially  melted.  But  in  the  rocks  under 
consideration,  the  division  of  the  pseudo-strata  is  too  distinct  to  admit 
such  an  explanation  :  while  the  schistose  structure  is  always  wanting. 
Upon  the  whole,  it  seems  to  me  that  in  the  present  state  of  our  knowl- 
edge, sound  philosophy  requires  that  apparent  stratification  in  rocks 


Protrusion  of  Greenstone.  421 

usually  unstratified,  should  be  regarded  only  as  examples  of  a  con- 
extionary  structure. 

The  geologist  who  may  have  occasion  to  spend  several  days  at 
Nahant,  will  do  well  to  give  the  spot  a  very  thorough  examination. 
I  do  not  flatter  myself  that  1  have  brought  to  light  all  the  interesting 
facts  which  may  be  there  developed ;  although  I  have  exhibited 
enough  to  show  it  to  be  an  interesting  spot. 

The  protrusion  of  the  unstratified  rocks  through  the  stratified  ones 
by  internal  igneous  agency,  now  admitted  by  most  geologists,  has  led 
observers  to  examine  carefully  for  evidences  of  mechanical  disturb- 
ance near  the  line  of  contact.  They  have,  I  believe,  found  less  proof 
of  such  disturbance  by  the  intrusion  of  greenstone,  than  in  the  case 
of  the  older  rocks,  as  sienite  and  granite.  Every  such  case,  there- 
fore, deserves  to  be  noticed.  If  I  mistake  not,  the  following  sketch 
of  a  vein  of  greenstone  in  argillaceous,  slate  is  an  example  of  this 
sort.  The  dyke  is  about  10  feet  thick,  and  the  general  dip  of  the 
layers  of  slate  in  the  quarry,  is  about  30°  southeast.  But  as  shown  in 
the  figure,  near  the  greenstone  it  is  considerably  curved  upwards  in 
the  contrary  direction.  The  quarry,  where  this  example  occurs,  is. 
about  half  a  mile  north  of  the  Powder  House  in  Charlestovvn. 


Greenstone  Dyke  in  Clay  Slate :  Charlestown. 

For  the  most  part,  the  greenstone  in  the  valley  of  the  Connecticut, 
is  interposed  in  thick  masses  or  beds,  between  the  strata  of  sandstone. 
In  Massachusetts  I  have  never  met  with  a  mass  of  this  rock  which  I 
have  regarded,  strictly  speaking,  as  superincumbent :  though  in  Con- 
necticut, such  examples  are  said  frequently  to  occur.  And  I  am  ap- 
prehensive that  not  a  few  geologists  would  describe  Holyoke  and 
Tom  as  instances  of  overlying  rocks.  For  on  examining  their  west- 
ern precipitous  faces,  we  frequently  find  the  sandstone  cropping  out 
beneath  the  greenstone :  and  if  we  go  to  the  other  side  of  these 
ridges,  it  is  rare  that  we  find  the  sandstone  lying  upon  the  greenstone. 
Yet  this  is  sometimes  the  case;  and  the  sandstone  always  appears 


422  Scientific  Geology. 

at  no  great  distance  in  the  valley,  having  such  a  dip  as  would  cause 
it  to  rise  above  the  greenstone.  I  hence  infer,  that  originally,  nearly 
all  the  greenstone  was  interposed  between  the  strata  of  sandstone ; 
and  that  subsequent  abrasion  has  removed  the  latter  rock.  Even  in 
those  cases  where  we  find  insulated  masses  of  the  trap  lying  upon 
the  sandstone,  there  is  reason  for  supposing  that  it  is  the  wreck  of 
one  of  these  interposed  masses ;  disintegration  and  abrasion  having 
effected  the  destruction  of  the  other  portions  of  both  the  rocks. 

At  Turner's  Falls,  Connecticut  river  has  disclosed,  between  Mon- 
tague and  Gill,  an  interesting  section  across  the  sandstone  and  green- 
stone, not  less  than  three  miles  long.  In  the  6th  Vol.  of  the  Am. 
Journal  of  Science,  I  inserted  a  very  detailed  view  of  this  section : 
but  having  examined  it  recently  with  more  care,  I  shall  give  a  cor- 
rected sketch ;  which,  though  less  particular,  will  I  trust  be  found 
more  accurate  and  instructive.  It  commences  on  the  western  side  of 
the  greenstone  ridge  against  which  Connecticut  river  impinges,  a 
little  below  Turner's  Falls,  and  by  which  its  course  is  changed  from 
northwest  to  south.  At  the  western  base  of  this  ridge,  the  sandstone 
crops  out  beneath  the  greenstone,  dipping  perhaps  20°  or  25°  east. 
After  passing  easterly  over  this  ridge,  we  find  at  the  mouth  of  Fall 
River,  another  variety  of  the  sandstone,  mounting  upon  the  green- 
stone at  an  angle  of  about  45°;  that  is,  dipping  easterly  by  that  quan- 
tity, and  running  nearly  north  and  south.  Proceeding  in  the  same 
direction,  the  sandstone  continues  only  a  few  rods,  perhaps  15,  when 
we  find  it  on  the  north  shore  of  Connecticut  river  passing  under  an- 
other ridge  of  greenstone,  15  or  20  rods  thick.  On  the  east  side 
of  this  second  ridge,  we  find  a  similar  variety  of  slaty  sandstone  dip- 
ping about  50°  east.  Several  varieties  of  sandstone,  some  red,  some 
gray,  some  fined  grained,  and  some  coarse  grained,  appear,  as  we  pass 
along  the  same  shore,  with  a  dip  between  40°  and  50°  east,  for  more 
than  a  mile.  There  we  strike  a  somewhat  more  elevated  ridge, 
which  appears  on  both  banks  of  the  river,  consisting  of  a  brecciated 
indurated  sandstone,  described  among  the  varieties  of  new  red  sand- 
stone, whose  strata  are  somewhat  saddle  shaped  on  the  north  shore, 
though  quite  indistinct.  Beyond  this  point  the  shores  for  some  dis- 
tance are  less  bold,  and  no  rock  is  visible  for  half  a  mile.  When  it 
again  appears,  the  direction  of  the  strata  becomes  nearly  east  and  west, 
and  the  dip  from  30°  to  40°  south.  Hence  only  the  horizontal  edges 
of  the  strata  can  be  shown  on  the  section.  But  when  we  come  with- 
in 100  rods  of  the  mouth  of  Miller's  river,  the  sandstone  slate  or 


Section  near  Turner's  Falls. 


423 


shale  is  suddenly  bent  upwards  several  degrees  on  its  eastern  edge, 
so  as  to  dip  westerly.  On  the  southern  bank  the  very  spot  where  the 
flexure  takes  place  is  visible.  Advancing  towards  the  mouth  of  Mil- 
ler's river,  the  westerly  dip  rapidly  increases,  and  within  a  few  rods 
it  approaches  90°.  Then  for  a  considerable  distance  succeeds  a  coarse 
conglomerate,  in  which  I  could  preceive  no  marks  of  stratification. 
For  a  few  rods  beyond  this  rock,  diluvium  hides  the  rock  in  place, 
and  then,  before  reaching  the  mouth  of  Miller's  river,  we  strike  a 
formation  of  gneiss,  hornblende  slate,  and  mica  slate,  with  granite- 
gneiss  and  granite,  which  constitute  the  western  margin  of  the  gneiss 
range  of  Worcester  county.  The  strata  of  these  rocks,  at  the  mouth 
of  Miller's  river,  and  on  the  east  bank  of  Connecticut  river,  (for  we 
have  now  reached  the  spot  where  this  river  runs  southerly,)  run  a 
little  west  of  south  and  east  of  north,  and  dip  to  the  west  between  30° 
and  40°. 


Section  between  Montague  and  Gill. 


It  will  be  perceived  that  the  above  section  is  intended  to  embrace 
every  thing  important  on  both  banks  of  Connecticut  river,  and  is  not 
meant  to  be  geometrically  accurate.  Those  parts  which  are  the 
most  interesting  occupy  more  than  their  proper  proportion  of  the 
distance  ;  but  this  produces  no  geological  error.  The  part  of  the 
section  most  likely  to  produce  an  erroneous  impression,  is  where  the 
sandstone  strata  are  represented  by  horizontal  lines  :  for  these  strata, 
as  already  stated,  do  in  fact  dip  30°  to  40°  south.  This  change  in  the 
direction  of  the  strata  appears  to  result  from  the  fact,  that  the  green- 
stone ridges,  towards  the  western  extremity  of  the  section,  with  the  ac- 
companying sandstone,  take  a  northeasterly  direction  for  two  or  three 
miles,  rising  into  considerable  hills,  and  forming  an  axis  of  elevation, 
to  which  the  strata  just  referred  to  are  in  a  measure  conformable. 


424  Scientific  Geology. 

Not  improbably  also,  the  elevating  force,  which  has  acted  on  the  side 
of  the  gneiss  and  granite,  may  have  operated  in  wheeling  these  cen- 
tral strata  still  farther,  so  as  to  bring  their  direction  nearly  east  and 
west. 

In  another  place  I  shall  refer  to  the  important  bearing  which  this 
section  has  upon  the  the  theory  of  the  origin  of  our  greenstone :  but 
in  this  place  I  wish  to  show  more  particularly  the  relative  situation  of 
the  greenstone  and  sandstone.  It  will  be  seen  that  the  former  occurs 
in  somewhat  wedge-shaped  masses,  between  the  strata  of  the  latter,  and 
I  believe  that  the  above  section  represents  the  mode  in  which  nearly  all 
the  greenstone  in  the  Connecticut  valley  occurs.  On  the  western  slope 
of  Mount  Toby,  in  Sunderland,  we  find  a  narrow  strip  of  the  green- 
stone interposed  between  the  sandstone  strata  ;  although  I  cannot  say 
that  it  is  wedge-shaped ;  the  opportunities  for  ascertaining,  the  dip 
being  very  poor.  Along  the  western  and  northwestern  face  of  Mount 
Holyoke,  however,  we  meet  with  the  sandstone  in  several  places,  (al- 
though not  very  easy  to  find,)  passing  under  the  greenstone  with  a 
dip  of  15°  or  20°.  On  the  opposite  side  of  the  mountain  the  strata  are 
sometimes  found  elevated  50°  and  even  60°;  as  may  be  seen  where  the 
stage  road  from  Northampton  to  Belchertown  crosses  the  greenstone 
ridge ;  and  as  we  recede  from  this  ridge,  towards  the  east,  or  south- 
east, the  dip  diminishes.  In  the  west  face  of  Mount  Tom,  we  find  the 
sandstone  passing  under  the  greenstone  at  a  dip  from  15°  to  20C :  but  on 
the  east  side  of  the  mountain,  it  is  no  greater  ;  and,  therefore,  I  cannot 
say  that  this  eminence  has  a  wedge-shaped  form.  South  of  Tom  the 
sandstone  both  on  the  east  and  Avest  sides  of  the  greenstone  ridge, 
has  a  less  dip  then  in  the  cases  above  mentioned.  Still,  however, 
the  greenstone  seems  to  form  a  mass  interposed  between  its  strata. 

Are  we  to  regard  the  long  ridge  of  greenstone  extending  from 
New  Haven  to  Belchertown,  as  a  vast  dyke,  or  as  a  bed,  or  simply 
as  a  protruding  irregular  mass  ?  Its  great  length,  (though  not 
greater  than  the  celebrated  Cleaveland  dyke  in  England,)  and  espe- 
cially its  great  width  in  some  places,  will  hardly  permit  us  to  call  it 
a  dyke,  as  geologists  usually  employ  that  term.  A  still  stronger  ob- 
jection in  the  minds  of  many,  would  be  its  genera]  conformity  in  di- 
rection to  the  strata  of  sandstone.  But  near  its  northern  extremity, 
it  is  obvious  that  this  conformity  is  in  a  good  measure  lost.  For 
Holyoke,  running  nearly  east  and  west,  evidently  crosses  the  strata 
in  some  degree :  or  rather,  these  same  strata  which  farther  south 
have  their  western  edges  elevated  by  the  greenstone,  on  the  southern 


Veins  of  Greenstone. 


425 


side  of  Holyoke,  have  their  northwestern  edges  raised :  although,  as 
the  mountain  makes  a  gradual  curve  to  the  right,  the  strata  appear  to 
be  conformed  to  its  sides.  Upon  the  whole,  however,  while  we  must 
admit,  it  seems  to  me,  that  this  extensive  range  was  originally  protru- 
ded through  the  strata  of  sandstone  in  the  same  manner  as  dykes 
are,  yet  it  may  be  better  to  regard  it  as  a  protruding  ridge,  rather 
than  apply  a  term  to  it  which  has  not  usually  been  so  extended  in  its 
meaning. 

Genuine  and  distinct  veins  of  greenstone  in  the  new  red  sandstone 
of  the  Connecticut  valley,  are  not  common.  In  Massachusetts  I  have 
not  met  with  one  :  but  in  Connecticut,  they  are  more  common.  The 
following  is  a  sketch  of  a  case  of  this  kind,  which  I  took  several 
years  ago,  in  a  ledge  a  little  east  of  East  Rock,  near  New  Haven,  on 
the  turnpike  road  from  thence  to  Middletown.  Most  of  the  ledge  is  a 
red  rather  coarse  sandstone,  from  20  to  30  feet  high.  The  lowest  stra- 
tum is  a  fine  grained  red  sandstone;  the  next  above  it,  a  coarse  gray 
sandstone,  about  six  inches  thick.  The  rock  dips  from  the  observer 
about  25° ;  so  that  it  must  be  represented  as  horizontal  on  the  section. 
The  vein  of  greenstone  is  about  a  foot  wide  at  the  bottom,  and  some- 
thing more  as  it  ascends.  It  appears  to  consist  of  indurated  clay. 
It  ascends  through  the  sandstone  at  an  angle  of  about  45°  with  the 
horizon,  and  on  the  upper  side  of  it  the  different  layers  of  sandstone 
are  elevated,  so  as  not  to  correspond  with  the  same  layers  on  the  op- 
posite side  of  the  vein.  This  upward  flexure  extends  several  inches 
from  the  vein.  The  coarse  gray  stratum  above  mentioned,  exhibits 
this  effect  most  obviously. 


Greenstone  Dyke  in  New  Red  Sandstone :  East  Haven  Ct. 

The  inferences  of  a  theoretical  nature  from  such  a  case  as  the 
above,  if  there  is  no  mistake  in  my  representation  of  it,  are  too  obvi- 
ous to  escape  the  notice  of  any  one.     If  we  have  not  proof  here  of 
54 


426  Scientific  Geology. 

an  internal  force  erupting  the  matter  of  the  vein,  I  know  not  how 
such  proof  could  be  given.  But  more  of  this  in  another  place.  I 
thought  the  case  too  interesting  not  to  he  noticed,  although  out  of 
Massachusetts ;  and  I  shall  take  the  liberty  in  several  other  instances, 
as  I  have  already  done  in  some  cases,  to  introduce  examples  from 
other  parts  of  New  England,  illustrative  of  important  geological 
principles.  In  respect  to  the  veins  of  the  unstratified  rocks,  especial- 
ly, I  shall  give  the  results  of  my  observations  for  the  last  twelve  or 
fifteen  years  in  various  paits  of  New  England,  since  the  subject  is 
one  of  special  interest.* 

*  To  show  how  the  examples  which  I  shall  adduce  are  regarded  by  a  distinguished 
geologist  in  Europe,  I  take  the  liberty  to  subjoin  a  translation  of  a  letter  which  I 
received,  two  or  three  years  ago,  from  Counsellor  Von  Leonhard,  Professor 
of  Mineralogy  in  the  university  of  Heidelberg,  Germany,  in  answer  to  a  com- 
munication which  I  had  previously  made  to  him  at  his  request,  detailing  several 
of  the  most  striking  cases  of  veins  and  protruding  masses,  which  are  embodied  in 
this  Report.  I  give  the  letter  entire,  since  several  of  the  examples  given  by  this 
veteran  savant^  although  to  be  met  with  in  a  few  works,  are  yet  not  commonly  to  be 
found. 

"Heidelberg,  December  14,  1829. 

11  SIB,  Your  letter  of  the  20th  October,  with  which  you  have  favored  me,  I  have 
duly  received.  A  thousand  thanks  for  the  trouble  you  have  taken  to  enlighten  me 
with  so  many  interesting  facts  concerning  the  granitic  eruptions  of  your  country. 
Your  observations  are  of  the  highest  importance,  and  it  is  very  much  to  be  desired 
that  you  should  publish  them  forthwith.*  You  have  requested  that  I  should  give 
some  account  of  the  elevation  of  granite  in  this  country  as  well  as  in  England  and 
France. 

"  One  of  the  most  interesting  observations  that  have  been  made  on  this  subject, 
is  that  of  Weiss,  near  Meissen  in  Saxony.  Granite,  or  rather  sienite,  there  ap- 
pears superimposed  upon  the  planerkalk  which  belongs  to  the  chalk  formation. 


A  hundred  paces  from  my  house  is  a  protrusion  of  granite.     The  predominant 

*  In  a  subsequent  letter  I  requested  Prof.  Leonhard  to  make  such  a  use  of  these 
facts  as  he  thought  proper  ;  and  not  unlikely  some  of  the  cases  which  I  shall  pro- 
duce, have  ere  this  been  published  in  Germany. 


Protrusions  of  Granite. 


427 


On  the  northeast  side  of  mount  Tom,  on  the  bank  of  a  small  stream 
and  close  by  a  saw  mill,  which  is  only  a  few  rods  from  the  stage  road 


rock  in  the  vicinity  is  the  variegated  sandstone.    In  one  place  we  see  the  strata  of 
sandstone  bent  upwards  and  the  granite  beneath. 


"  You  are  doubtless  acquainted  with  the  important  observations  of  J.  Hall, 
in  Galloway  in  Scotland.  Veins  of  granite,  a  a,  &c.  have  penetrated  the  transi- 
tion argillaceous  schist,  b  6,  &c.  enveloping  also  the  fragments,  c  c  c,  of  the  same, 
and  overspreading  the  schist  in  part.  The  schist  has  suffered  numerous  distur- 
bances from  the  influence  of  the  granite  and  is  changed  at  the  place  of  contact  by 
the  volcanic  he^t. 


"  You  speak  of  your  greenstone.  Is  it  diorite  or  dolerite  ?  From  your  descrip- 
tion I  suspect  it  to  be  diorite,*  that  is,  a  greenstone  into  whose  composition  amphi- 
bole  enters,  and  not  pyroxene. 

In  the  Hartz  facts  occur  similar  to  those  which  you  have  observed.  I  shall  be 
much  obliged  to  you  when  you  send  another  box  of  minerals  for  exchange  to  the 
Comptoir,  to  put  in  some  specimens  of  greenstone,  that  I  may  institute  a  compari- 
son. In  the  Hartz  we  see  that  the  diorite  assumes  an  amygdaloidal  texture,  be- 

*  After  what  I  have  written  on  this  rock,  it  is  hardly  necessary  to  say  that  this 
conclusion  is  correct. 


428 


Scientific  Geology. 


from  Northampton  to  Hartford,  the  following1  case  occurs  in  the  new 
red  sandstone.  A  deposit  of  greenstone,  the  remains  of  a  large  vein 
or  protruding  mass,  is  here  seen  to  lie  in  an  oblique  direction  upon 
the  elevated  edges  of  the  sandstone.  Towards  the  upper  part  of  the 
section,  the  layers  of  sandstone  are  curved  considerably  upwards,  so  as 
to  increase  the  dip  of  their  upper  extremity,  raising  it,  indeed,  almost 


coming  cellular  near  its  point  of  contact  with  the  schist.     Does  any  such  phenom- 
enon occur  with  you  7* 

Transition  Schist. 


"  Since  I  had  the  honor  of  writing-  to  you,  I  have  continued  without  intermission 
to  collect  facts  for  my  work  on  the  Basalts.  But  it  will  be  a  long-  time  before  I 
can  bring-  it  to  a  conclusion.  In  1828  I  visited  Auvergne.  This  without  contra- 
diction is  classic  ground  as  to  this  matter.  You  are  doubtless  acquainted  with 
the  work  of  Scrape,  (Central  France.)  But  I  have  ascertained  some  hew  and  quite 
interesting  facts.  Among  others  the  projecting  mass  of  basaltic  conglomerate 
which  rises  through  the  beds  of  lacustrine  limestone,  (it  bears  the  name  of  Puy  de 
la  Piquette,)  embraces  fragments  of  that  limestone  full  of  many  fine  crystals  of 
mesotype  and  apophyllite.  —  Last  summer  I  visited  the  Suabian  Alps.  In  these 
mountains  we  find  a  number  of  important  facts.  We  count  there  at  least  thirty 
eruptions  or  elevations  of  basaltic  breccias  through  the  beds  of  Jura  limestone  ; 
and  these  conglomerates  contain  a  number  of  small  fragments  of  limestone,  which 
have  been  variously  modified  by  the  heat  of  the  conglomerates. 


"  Finally,  I  pray  you  to  preserve  in  full,  an  account  of  the  phenomena  of  basalt, 
diorite,  and  amygdaloid,  as  well  as  of  the  conglomerates  which  accompany  them ; 
and  I  would  request  you  to  send  me  these  details. 

*  *  *  *  *  * 

"  I  have  the  honor  to  salute  you  with  the  greatest  respect : 

"  Yours  with  devotion, 

LEONHARD." 

*  Precisely  the  same,  as  I  shall  mention  more  particularly  farther  on. 


Chemical  Effects  of  Greentsone, 


429 


to  90°.    Must  we  not  impute  this  flexure  to  the  protrusive  force  of  the 
greenstone,  when  first  it  was  elevated  to  the  day  light? 


Junction  of  Greenstone  and  Sandstone  :  Mount  Tom. 


Chemical  Effects  of  Greenstone  upon  other  Rocks. 

In  other  parts  of  the  world,  it  is  a  common  case  to  find  the  rocks 
lying  in  contact  with  greenstone,  essentially  chafrged  in  their  charac- 
ters, for  a  greater  or  less  distance  from  the  place  of  junction.  -  This 
is  most  striking  where  limestone  is  the  rock  invaded  by  the  trap. 
Similar  effects  are  not  wanting  in  the  rocks  of  Massachusetts,  that 
are  traversed  by  greenstone.  Yet  it  appears  to  me  that  they  are 
hardly  as  common  or  striking  as  in  some  countries ;  judging  from 
the  descriptions  of  geologists.  One  reason  may  be  that  greenstone 
here  rarely  comes  in  contact  with  limestone.  The  following  are  the 
principal  examples  of  this  phenomenon  which  I  have  met  with. 

The  influence  of  greenstone  veins  at  Nahant,  in  converting  argil- 
laceous slate  into  flinty  slate,  and  where  carbonate  of  lime  was  pres- 
ent, into  chert,  has  been  fully  described  under  gray  wacke. 

Professor  Webster  describes  a  mass  of  trap,  in  Charlestown,  as 
superincumbent  upon  a  rock  which  he  calls  compact  feldspar,  "which 
has  many  of  the  characters  of  clay  slate,  and  in  the  immediate  vicin- 
ity of  the  trap  rock  has  a  degree  of  hardness,  a  compact  structure, 
and  fracture  almost  like  that  of  hornstone,  —  the  slate  seems  to  have 
undergone  a  great  and  remarkable  change."* 

In  the  Connecticut  valley  the  most  striking  chemical  effects  pro- 
duced upon  the  sandstone  by  the  greenstone,  are  induration,  a  vesic- 
ular structure,  and  change  of  color.  In  the  17th  volume  of  the  Am. 
Journal  of  Science,  Professor  Silliman  has  described  a  most  interest- 
ing example  of  all  these  effects,  as  they  appear  in  a  quarry,  nearly  a 

*  Boston  Journal  of  Philosophy,  Vol.  i.  p.  282. 


430  Scientific  Geology. 

mile  long,  at  Rocky  Hill,  about  three  miles  southwest  of  Hartford. 
The  trap  is  here  superincumbent  upon  the  sandstone,  and  this  latter 
rock  is  changed  to  the  depth  of  about  four  feet  below  the  junction. 
Ascending  from  that  depth,  it  begins  to  grow  firmer ;  the  color  grows 
lighter,  the  red  vanishes  and  it  becomes  dark  gray  —  light  gray  —  ash 
gray,  and  in  some  places  almost  white;  while  at  the  same  time  the 
firmness  is  much  increased,  so  that  from  being  a  very  soft  and  tender 
argillaceous  sandstone,  easily  splitting  into  laminae,  it  has  become 
hard,  and  difficult  to  break,  striking  fire  with  steel  like  an  overburnt 
brick,  and  its  fissile  character  is  almost  or  quite  destroyed." 

"  But  this  is  not  all.  At  the  depth  of  about  two  feet,  rather  less 
than  more,  the  altered  sandstone  begins  to  grow  vesicular.  Fine 
pin-hole  cavities  make  their  appearance;  they  are  very  numerous,  and 
the  solid  substance  which  surrounds  them  becomes  semi-vitreous  and 
loses  the  appearance  of  sedimentary  or  fragmentary  matter ;  as  we 
ascend  towards  the  trap  the  vesicles  increase  rapidly  in  size,  and  at 
and  near  the  junction  they  are  both  numerous  and  large." 

This  vesicular  structure  is  still  more  remarkable  in  the  trap,  ex- 
tending several  feet  upwards  ;  and  near  their  junction,  the  two  rocks 
can  hardly  be  distinguished,  arid  appear  as  if  melted  together. 

Similar  phenomena,  more  or  less  strongly  marked,  present  them- 
selves both  in  Connecticut  and  Massachusetts,  where  the  contact  of  the 
two  rocks  is  visible.  On  the  east  side  of  Mount  Tom  in  Northampton, 
and  on  the  south  side  of  Holyoke,  the  vesicular  character  of  the  sand- 
stone is  most  obvious:  as  is  that  also  of  the  greenstone.  (No.  286.) 
From  the  description  that  has  been  given  of  the  relative  position  of 
these  rocks  in  those  places,  it  will  be  recollected  that  the  sandstone  is 
uppermost.  The  cavities  are  sometimes  filled  with  some  mineral,  as 
carbonate  of  lime,  subsequently  introduced  ;  but  the  red  color  of  the 
rock  is  generally  retained  :  sometimes,  however,  it  is  not  easy  to  dis- 
tinguish this  amygdaloidal  sandstone  from  trap,  without  close  inspec- 
tion. Yet  in  most  cases  the  line  of  junction  is  distinct,  and  the  schis- 
tose structure  of  the  sandstone  is  not  lost.  The  greenstone,  as  already 
mentioned,  is  in  these  instances  much  more  vesicular  than  the  sand- 
stone, and  to  an  unknown  depth.  The  cavernous  base,  the  cavities 
not  being  usually  filled,  differs  but  little  from  indurated  clay ;  and 
some  circumstances  have  led  me  to  suspect  that  the  rock  in  fact  con- 
sists of  argillaceous  sandstone  or  shale,  which  has  been  fused. 

A  little  below  Turner's  Fall,s  on  the  Greenfield  shore,  the  junction 
of  these  rocks  may  be  advantageously  examined,  where  they  occupy 


Chemical  Effects  of  Greenstone.  43 1 

the  same  relative  position  as  above  mentioned ;  that  is,  the  sandstone 
is  the  superior  rock.  There  it  dips  from  40°  to  50° :  but  I^did  not 
perceive  in  it  any  cavities  ;  nor  is  the  red  color  or  the  fissile  charac- 
ter destroyed.  The  Connecticut  river  here  has  worn  away  nearly 
all  the  sandstone,  except  an  occasional  patch,  for  one  or  two  miles  : 
but  where  these  patches  remain,  a  fine  opportunity  is  afforded  for  ob- 
serving the  junction.  And  in  some  places  I  noticed  that  small 
rounded  masses  of  the  amygdaloid  were  partially  entangled  in  the 
sandstone :  as  if,  when  the  melted  mass  of  greenstone  was  forcing 
its  way  upward,  and  pressing  hard  against  the  incumbent  sandstone, 
portions  of  the  former  rock,  while  yet  partially  solidified,  were  worn 
off  and  rounded  by  the  latter.  More  frequently  we  see  fragments  of 
the  sandstone  insulated  in  the  greenstone ;  being  perhaps  unmelted 
portions  of  the  former  rock. 

For  several  feet  below  the  surface  of  the  amygdaloid  at  this  local- 
ity, it  is  not  uncommon  to  see  that  rock  divided  into  parallel  portions, 
whose  surfaces  correspond  in  dip  and  direction  with  the  strata  of 
sandstone.  The  thickness  of  these  layers  is  from  one  to  four  feet. 
But  they  do  not  extend  through  the  whole  mass  of  rock,  and  can, 
ther  efore,  hardly  be  considered  as  genuine  strata. 

The  existence  of  so  much  amygdaloidal  greenstone  on  the  eastern 
or  upper  side  of  the  ridge,  (for  it  must  be  recollected  that  such  is  the 
dip  of  the  sandstone  embracing  the  trap  as  to  render  the  eastern  the 
upper  side,)  while  it  is  comparatively  rare  and  far  less  porous  and  ir- 
regularly situated  in  the  lower  parts  of  the  range,  leads  naturally  to 
an  inquiry  as  to  the  cause.  It  may  be  sufficient  to  say,  that  the  gase- 
ous matter  extricated  by  the  intense  heat  of  a  large  mass  of  rock  in  a 
state  of  fusion,  would  naturally  be  forced  to  its  upper  part  by  the 
greater  pressure  below:  although  in  the  example  described  by  Prof. 
Silliman,  such  does  not  appear  to  have  been  the  case.  Since,  howev- 
er, the  base  of  the  rock  on  the  east  side  of  the  ranges  above  named,  is 
more  argillaceous  and  less  crystalline  than  that  of  the  rock  on  the 
western  or  lower  side,  I  am  disposed  to  believe  the  former  more  fa- 
vorable for  retaining  the  gas  or  vapor  than  the  latter. 

When  the  water  is  low  we  have  an  instructive  exhibition  of  the 
junction  of  greenstone  with  the  subjacent  sandstone  at  Titan's  Pier  in 
South  Hadley.  A  considerable  part  of  the  trap  near  the  sandstone 
is  a  breccia  ;  and  one  of  the  ingredients  is  clay,  indurated  almost  to  the 
hardness,  and  exhibiting  the  light  gray  color,  of  hornstone,  although 
not  exactly  that  substance  ;  especially  if  a  mixture  of  limestone  in  the 


432  Scientific  Geology. 

original  rock  be  essential  to  its  production.  This  seems  rather  to 
have  formed  the  paste  in  which  are  cemented  dark  pieces  of  trap. 
This  rock  extends  but  a  short  distance  upwards  from  the  line  of  junc- 
tion. 

The  most  interesting  effects  at  this  spot  are  exhibited,  however,  in 
the  sandstone  beneath  the  trap.  Like  that  near  Hartford,  for  two  or 
three  feet  its  schistose  structure  is  in  a  great  measure  obliterated,  al- 
though its  stratification  remains.  It  is  also  of  a  light  gray  colour. 
On  breakingit,  it  exhibits  a  semi-crystalline  structure,  bearing  consid- 
erable resemblance  to  some  varieties  of  fine  grained  granite.  (No. 
170.)  But  the  most  curious  fact  of  all  is,  that  this  rock  exhibits  in 
some  places  a  decided  tendency  to  a  columnar  form.  I  cannot  say, 
indeed,  that  any  perfectly  formed  prism  can  be  found.  Still  the 
sandstone  exhibits  several  unequal  sides  of  a  prism,  perpendicu- 
lar to  the  planes  of  stratification,  and  thus  coinciding  with  the  less  per- 
fect columnar  structure  of  the  greenstone  immediately  above:  so  that 
at  a  little  distance  one  does  not  perceive  the  line  of  junction  between 
the  two  rocks. 

I  have  met  with  no  geological  writer  but  Dr.  Macculloch,  who  has 
described  examples  of  columnar  sandstone ;  and  he  mentions  but  two 
cases  in  nature,  both  in  Scotland.  Another  case,  however,  is  noticed 
by  him  in  the  hearth  stone  of  a  blast  furnace.*  This  last  example  is 
very  instructive,  as  showing  that  heat,  if  long  continued,  may  produce 
the  columnar  structure  in  sandstone  even  though  not  intense  enough  to 
melt  it.  The  application  of  this  case  in  explanation  of  the  columnar 
structure  of  the  sandstone  at  Titan's  Pier,  is  too  obvious  to  render  its 
formal  statement  necessary. 

Some  of  the  sandstone  of  the  new  red  sandstone  is  highly  micace- 
ous :  this  variety,  where  it  occurs  near  the  greenstone,  can  hardly  be 
distinguished  from  mica  slate.  (Nos.  177  to  179.)  I  will  refer  only  to 
two  localities  of  this  rock,  viz.  at  Turner's  Falls  and  at  the  north  end 
of  Mount  Tom,  at  the  spot  where  the  sketch  on  page  429  exhibiting  the 
junction  of  the  two  rocks,  was  taken.  Can  there  be  any  doubt  that 
these  examples  are  in  fact  a  partial  conversion  of  the  sandstone  into 
mica  slate  by  the  heat  of  the  greenstone  ? 

I  know  of  but  one  place  in  the  valley  of  the  Connecticut  where 
greenstone  comes  in  contact  with  limestone;  and  that  is  in  West 
Springfield.  Perhaps  even  there  an  actual  contact  does  not  exist,  yet 

*  System  of  Geology,  vol,  1.  p.  172. 


Minerals  in  Greenstone.  433 

the  greenstone  is  separated  from  the  limestone  in  some  places  only  by  a 
narrow  strip  of  sandstone :  And  a?part  of  the  limestone  is  more  or  less 
frequently  converted  into  tripoli :  that  is  to  say,  the  carbonic  acid  is 
expelled,  leaving  the  argillaceous  and  silicioue  matter  by  itself.  Prob- 
ably this  was  the  effect  of  heat :  though  I  arn  not  very  confident  that 
the  tripoli  was  produced  in  this  manner.  A  part  of  the  limestone  at 
that  place  is  very  much  indurated,  so  as  to  possess  almost  the  brittle- 
ness  of  glass  when  broken, 

Mineral  Contents, 

It  is  not  unexpected,  though  gratifying,  to  find  in  our  greenstone 
the  same  minerals  as  occur  in  the  trap  rocks  of  Europe. 

In  describing  the  new  red  sandstone  I  have  given  an  account  of  sev- 
eral veins  in  that  rock  of  sulphate  of  baryta  and  native  copper.green  car* 
bonate  of  copper,  with  pyritous  copper  and  the  red  oxide  of  that  metal, 
These  veins  often  extend  into  the  greenstone  a  considerable  distance. 
But  for  the  particular  localities  I  would  refer  to  the  .description  already 
mentioned. 

According  to  the  Messrs  Danas,*  a  vein  of  magnetic  oxide  of  iron 
occurs  in  the  greenstone  at  Woburn ;  though  not  extensive  enough 
to  render  it  an  object  for  the  miner.  Intimately  mixed  with  this  ore 
is  pyritous  copper  :  and  this  last  is  invested  sometimes  with  the  muri* 
ate  of  copper.  Quartz  and  amygdaloid  at  Brighton,  and  rolled  pieces 
of  granite  at  Medford,  contain  the  same  mineral.  They  state  also 
that  micaceous  oxide  of  iron  exists  in  the  greenstone  at  Charlestown. 

According  to  the  game  gentlemen,  asbestus  is  found  in  fragments  of 
greenstone  in  Brighton  and  Dedham  ;  and  I  have  found  it  in  one  of  the 
anomalous  varieties  of  this  rock  at  Nahant.  Probably  however,  it  is 
comparatively  rare. 

Epidote,  as  already  mentioned,  exists  abundantly  in  the  greenstone 
around  Boston  ;  but  never  to  my  knowledge  in  that'in  the  Connecti- 
cut valley.  Generally  it  is  disseminated  through  the  greenstone;  but 
sometimes  it  occurs  in  veins,  and  is  then  usually  compact,  though  of- 
ten crystalized.  At  Breed's  Hill  is  a  locality ;  and  a  much  better 
one  at  Nahant. 

The  cavities  of  the  amygdaloid  are  sometimes  occupied  by  a  dull 
green  foliated  mineral  which  appears  to  be  chlorite.  .  The  folia  have 

*  Mineralogy  and  Geology  of  Boston,  &c.  p.  66. 
55 


434  Scientific  Geology. 

in  general  a  radiated  structure,  and  sometimes  invest  calcareous  spar. 
(No,  1173.)  A  little  below  Turner's  Falls  in  Gill,  just  at  the  mouth 
of  Fall  River,  on  the  east  bank,  is  the  best  locality  of  this  mineral  with 
which  I  am  acquainted.  More  frequently  the  cavities  are  occupied 
with  earthy  chlorite,  and  the  specimens  of  this  kind  are  very  common 
along  the  eastern  side  of  the  ranges  of  greenstone  in  the  Connecticut 
valley ;  as  in  Greenfield,  Deerfield,  South  Hadley,  Northampton,  and 
West  Springfield. 

At  the  locality  just  referred  to  at  the  mouth  of  Fall  River,  occurs 
the  rare  mineral  chlorophoeite :  which  has  not  to  my  knowledge  been 
found  in  any  other  place  on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic.  It  is  abundant 
in  the  projecting  mass  of  greenstone  that  appears  at  the  junction  of 
the  Connecticut  and  the  small  river  just  mentioned  ;  on  the  east  bank 
of  the  latter  ;  and  the  spot  can  hardly  be  mistaken  by  any  one  desir- 
ous of  finding  it.  This  mineral,  when  the  rock  is  first  broken,  is  of 
a  dull  green  color  :  but  after  a  few  hours  exposure  it  becomes  nearly 
black.  After  long  exposure,  however,  some  specimens  assume  a 
dark  brown  color.  For  the  most  part  the  nodules, —  often  half  an  inch 
and  sometimes  more  than  an  inch  in  diamet  er, —  exhibit  a  fibrous 
structure,  the  fibres  radiating  from  one  or  more  centers  in  the  same 
nodule.  The  mineral  is  easily  scratched  with  a  knife  and  the  pow- 
der is  of  a  dull  green  color.  When  fractured,  however,  it  appears 
brittle.  Sometimes  calcareous  spar  is  enclosed  within  the  chloropho- 
ite :  but  very  rarely  are  the  nodules  hollow.  If  I  mistake  not,  in  one 
or  two  instances  I  have  observed  a  foliated  structure  in  specimens. 
There  seems  little  danger  of  exhausting  this  locality.  The  same  rock 
contains  disseminated  prehnite,  chlorite,  and  pyritous  copper.  It  is 
however,  but  slightly  amygdaloidal.  Mr.  Shepard  has  recently  an- 
nounced the  existence  of  datholite  in  Middletown  Ct.  in  a  rock  exact- 
ly resembling  that  containing  the  chlorophoeite  ;  nor  can  I  doubt  but 
this  mineral  will  be  found  in  Massachusetts. 

Prehnite  has  been  found  in  the  greenstone  in  the  vicinity  of  Bos- 
ton, particularly  in  Charlestown.  But  it  is  more  common  in  the  val- 
ley of  the  Connecticut.  Near  the  chlorophoeite  locality  just  described, 
on  the  Greenfield  shore  of  the  Connecticut,  it  is  not  uncommon  in 
amygdaloid.  There  its  color  is  nearly  white.  In  general  it  is  more 
common  on  the  eastern  side  of  the  greenstone  ridges,  than  on  the 
western  ;  for  example,  where  Deerfield  river  cuts  through  a  ridge  of 
this  kind  in  Deerfield,  and  on  the  easi  side  of  the  same  ridge  four  or 
five  miles  farther  south,  in  a  part  of  the  town  called  Pine  Nook : 


Minerals  in  Greenstone.  435 

also  in  West  Springfield.  But  it  is  found  on  the  west  side  of  these 
ridges;  as  at  a  spot  one  mile  east  of  the  village  of  Deerfield,  and  at 
another  about  the  same  distance  nearly  east  of  the  village  of  Green- 
field. No  very  rich  specimens  of  this  mineral,  however,  are  met 
with  in  our  greenstone. 

Augite  of  an  iron  black  color  and  in  imperfect  crystals  or  in  veins, 
is  sometimes  met  with  in  the  tufaceous  greenstone  of  the  Connecticut 
valley:  as  at  a  spot  one  mile  east  of  the  village  of  Deerfield. 

Several  varieties  of  the  quartz  family  are  found  in  the  greenstone 
of  Massachusetts,  principally  in  that  of  the  Connecticut  valley. 
Limpid  crystalized  quartz  is  found  frequently  in  the  form  of  geodes, 
and  sometimes  these  crystals  are  amethystine  of  a  delicate  though 
not  very  deep  color.  This  amethyst  has  been  observed  one  mile 
east  of  the  village  in  Deerfield :  on  the  same  range  three  miles  south 
of  this  spot  and  east  of  the  village  of  Bloody  Brook  :  on  Mount  Hoi- 
yoke  ;  and  in  West  Springfield.  At  the  latter  place  the  crystals  are 
sometimes  smoky.  (No.  1117.) 

The  quartz  that  occupies  the  cavities  of  greenstone,  as  at  a  spot  a 
mile  east  of  the  village  in  Deerfield,  is  sometimes  tabular ;  and  the 
folia  are  quite  thin  and  delicate.  Sometimes  it  is  radiated,  and  not 
unfrequently  it  contains  tabular  or  prismatic  and  radiating  cavities, 
once  occupied  by  a  mineral.  The  radiating  cavities  were  perhaps 
once  filled  with  Thomsonite;  at  least,  they  resemble  that  mineral  in 
form.  I  have  seen  them  three  or  four  inches  in  length,  and  crossing 
one  another  from  different  centers. 

Chalcedony  is  not  an  uncommon  mineral  in  the  greenstone  of  the 
Connecticut  valley.  So  far  as  I  know  it  is  wanting  in  the  greenstone 
around  Boston :  and  this  fact,  with  the  almost  entire  absence  of  an 
amygdaloidal  structure,  are  marks  of  peculiarity  well  worthy  of  no- 
tice. In  the  Connecticut  valley  the  chalcedony  is  usually  in 'small 
nodules  rarely  more  than  one  or  two  inches  across.  Most  frequently 
its  color  is  milky  or  smoky  gray,  and  sometimes  it  appears  to  be  real 
cacholong.  At  other  times  it  is  of  a  flesh  colour,  from  the  lightest  to 
the  deepest  shade  forming  carnelian.  Rarely  I  have  seen  it  yellow- 
ish, and  closely  allied  to  sardonyx.  These  varieties  are  most  common 
in  the  greenstone  range  passing  east  of  the  villages  of  Greenfield  and 
Deerfield,  and  on  its  western  face :  but  rare  on  its  eastern  side. 

All  the  above  varities  of  the  quartz  family  are  sometimes  arranged 
concentrically,  so  as  to  form  agates.  Generally  they  are  small :  but 
some  specimens  found  by  Dr,  Cooley  in  the  south  part  of  Deerfield, 


436  Scientific  Geology. 

two  miles  northeasterly  from  Bloody  Brook  meeting  house,  were 
quite  large.  The  largest  of  these  specimens,  nine  by  six  inches  in  di- 
ameter and  weighing  23  pounds,  was  composed  of  an  outer  zone  of 
greenish  chalcedony  half  an  inch  thick :  then  a  zone  of  flesh  colored 
chalcedony:  the  center  consisted  of  an  amethystine  geode.  The 
best  of  these  specimens  which  I  have  been  able  to  procure  for  the  col- 
lection (No.  1191,)  is  about  six  inches  by  four :  the  outer  zone  is  car- 
nelian ;  the  second  bluish  chalcedony,  and  the  remainder  limpid 
quartz,  almost  filling  the  cavity.  When  the  outer  coat  is  broken  off, 
the  specimen  shows  a  strong  resemblance  to  the  human  skull ;  exhib- 
iting protuberances  and  depressions  enough  to  satisfy  the  most  sanguine 
phrenologist.  Another  specimen,  three  inches  in  diameter,  exhibited 
no  less  than  14  concentric  bands,  consisting  of  chalcedony  and  quartz 
of  various  colors.  This  is  a  genuine  fortification  agate.  Sometimes 
fortification  and  eyed  agates  are  exhibited  in  the  same  specimen.  It 
is  to  be  feared,  however,  that  this  locality  is  nearly  exhausted  ;  at  least, 
until  a  long  period  of  time  shall  have  decomposed  the  greenstone 
much  deeper. 

Calcareous  spar  is  one  of  the  most  frequent  of  the  minerals  in  the 
greenstone  of  Massachusetts ;  both  in  that  in  the  eastern  part  of  the 
State  and  in  the  Connecticut  valley.  Generally  it  is  the  laminated 
variety ;  sometimes  flesh  colored,  but  mostly  limpid.  Often  it  consti- 
tutes the  cement  of  trap  tuff.  Sometimes  it  is  in  distinct  crystals. 

A  few  years  since  Prof.  Silliman  detected  selenite  in  amygdaloid 
from  Deerfield.  It  was  white  and  retained  its  water  of  crystalization. 

Several  species  of  the  zeolitic  minerals  have  been  found  in  this  rock 
in  the  Connecticut  valley.  Analcime  has  been  frequently  said  to  be 
quite  common;  but  I  am  suspicious  that  calcareous  spar  has  been 
confounded  with  that  mineral ;  and  I  dare  not  say  that  it  exists  in  our 
greenstone.  Nor  am  I  sure  that  laumonite  occurs  as  far  north  as 
Massachusetts,  although  the  greenstone  in  the  vicinity  of  New  Haven 
contains  it.  As  to  chabasie  there  is  no  doubt  but  it  has  been  found  in 
Deerfield,  one  mile  east  of  the  village.  It  is  always  crystalized,  and 
almost  invaribly  in  the  primary  form,  an  obtuse  rhomboid.  The  crys- 
tals vary  from  l-50th  to  l-4th  of  an  inch  on  their  sides;  and  these 
are  grouped  on  tabular  and  pseudomorphous  quartz,  on  prehnite,  and 
on  the  greenstone :  either  in  fissures,  or  more  commonly  in  the  cavi* 
ties  of  the  amygdaloid.  This  mineral  seems  to  have  entered  these 
for  the  most  part  at  a  later  period  than  many  of  the  others  with  which 
it  is  associated.  For  often  we  find  it  in  the  upper  part  of  a  cavity 


Lincolnite. 


437 


whose  lower  part  is  filled  with  another  mineral ;  but  never  in  a  re- 
verse order.  The  amygdaloid  in  which  this  mineral  occurs  is  ex- 
tremely hard,  and  hence  the  chabasie  has  been  preserved.  It  is,  how- 
ever, quite  difficult  to  obtain  good  specimens. 

In  the  amygdaloid  on  the  east  side  of  the  greenstone  range  in 
Deerfield  and  Greenfield,  I  have  observed  a  few  rather  poorly  char- 
acterised radiated  specimens,  exceedingly  resembling  the  Thomsonite 
of  Scotland. 

In  the  greenstone  one  mile  east  of  the  village  in  Deerfield,  a  min- 
eral occurs,  closely  allied  in  external  characters  to  stilbite  and  heu- 
landite;  and  hitherto  I  have  described  it  as  stilbite.  But  in  its  crys- 
talline form  it  differs  from  both  those  species,  and  indeed  from  any 
known  mineral.  I  shall,  therefore,  venture  to  describe  it  as  new;  and 
take  the  liberty  to  dedicate  it  to  your  Excellency,  as  the  patron  of  sci- 
ence, under  the  name  of 

LINCOLNITE. 

This  mineral  occurs  in  minute  yet  very  distinct  crystals,  which  are 
right  oblique  angled  prisms.  Three  trials  on  as  many  crystals  with 
the  common  goriometer  gave  the  following  results  for  the  angles  of 
the  bases. 


First  crystal : 
Second  crystal : 
Third  crystal : 


Angles  A,  A,  61°. 
Angles  B,  B,  119°. 
Angles  A,  A,  61°. 
Angles  B,  B,  120°. 
Angles  A,  A,  61°. 
Angles  5,  B,  120°. 


The  mean  result  of  all  the  trials  I  have  made  does  not  vary  much 
from  60°  and  120°.  But  this  may  vary  from  the  truth  half  a  degree; 
I  think  not  more.  The  bases  are  commonly  bright  enough  for  the 
application  of  the  reflective  goniometer  :  not  so  the  lateral  faces. 


438 


Scientific  Geology. 


I  have  observed  only  one  modification  of  this  crystal,  and  that  con- 
sists of  a  slight  truncation  on  the  acute  lateral  edges,  as  represented 
in  this  figure.  (No.  1202.) 


The  height  of  the  prism  is  about  equal  to  the  longest  edge.  It 
yields  to  mechanical  division  only  parallel  to  the  bases.  It  has  a  lus- 
tre somewhat  pearly  on  the  cleavage  plane,  and  not  unfrequently  the 
folia  are  slightly  curved.  It  is  always  white  or  colorless  ;  sometimes 
transparent,  but  generally  only  translucent.  In  every  other  charac- 
ter it  corresponds  with  Heulandite  and  stilbite.  On  hot  coals  it 
whitens,  and  before  the  blowpipe  melts  into  a  white  spongy  enamel. 

The  crystals  of  this  mineral,  (and  I  am  not  sure  that  it  ever  occurs 
except  in  crystals,)  are  mingled,  usually  in  the  least  proportion,  with 
crystals  of  chabasie ;  either  in  the  amygdaloidal  cavities  of  the  green- 
stone, or  in  its  fissures.  I  have  rarely  met  with  a  crystal  whose  long- 
est side  exceeded  the  tenth  of  an  inch  :  and  most  of  the  specimens 
in  the  collection  will  need  a  microscope  for  their  examination.  It  is 
very  rare  and  obtained  with  difficulty,  though  small  specimens  will 
reward  the  persevering  collector.  (Nos.  1200  to  1204.) 

At  the  same  spot  in  Deerfield  a  radiated  mineral  occurs,  forming 
sometimes  perfect  spheres,  of  the  size  of  an  ounce  bullet,  which  may 
be  Lincolnite,  though  more  probably  it  is  stilbite. 

This  same  radiated  mineral  is  found  at  Bellow's  Falls  in  Vermont, 
encrusting  gneiss.  On  examining  some  specimens  which  I  obtained 
there  a  few  years  ago,  I  perceive  several  distinct  crystals  of  Lincoln- 
ite, which  are  quite  small. 

It  is  obvious  from  the  preceding  description,  that  this  mineral  differs 
from  stilbite  and  Heulandite,  only  in  its  crystalographical  characters. 
Stilbite  crystalizes  in  a  right  square  prism.  Heulandite  comes  nearer 
to  Lincolnite  ;  its  primary  form  being  a  right  oblique  angled  prism. 
But  the  angles  of  its  bases  are  about  50°  and  130°;  differing  10°  from 
those  of  Lincolnite.  Such  a  difference  cannot  be  imputed  to  the  im- 
perfection of  mensuration  ;  nor  can  I  conceive  how  it  could  possibly 


Theoretical  Considerations.  ,    439 

result  from  any  modification  of  stilbite  or  Heulandite.  There  is, 
therefore,  as  much  reason  for  making  this  mineral  a  distinct  species, 
as  there  was  for  separating  Heulandite  from  stilbite.  I  am  aware 
that  mineralogists  have  of  late  exceedingly  multiplied  species  by  divis- 
ions of  the  stilbite  of  Hauy.  Beudant,  especially,  in  the  last  edition 
of  his  mineralogy,  (1830,)  has  made  no  less  than  five:  viz,  stilbite, 
Heulandite,  epistilbite,  hypostilbite,  and  spherostilbite  ;  the  two  last 
being  added  by  himself.  He  supposes  that  when  the  same  elements 
combine  in  different  and  definite  proportions  and  under  different 
forms,  they  should  constitute  different  species  ;  although  in  external 
characters  they  differ  but  slightly ;  and  surely  no  scientific  man  can  ob- 
ject to  this  principle.  But  recent  discoveries  have  shown  that  the  same 
elements,  combined  in  the  same  proportions,  are  capable  of  crystal izing 
in  forms  incompatible  with  each  other.  This  may  prove  to  be  the 
case  with  some  of  the  new  species  separated  from  stilbite,  and  with 
Lincolnite  among  the  rest.  Yet  at  present  it  seems  as  well  entitled  to  a 
distinct  name  as  Heulandite,  and  better  than  hypostilbite  and  spheros- 
tilbite, whose  crystalline  form  has  not  been  ascertained :  much  better 
also  than  epistilbite,  since  the  controversy  concerning  it  that  has  been 
carried  on  in  the  European  Journals.  When  this  subject  shall  be 
better  understood  than  it  now  is,  mineralogists  may  find  it  necessary 
to  reform  the  list  of  species ;  nor  can  we  now  say  which  of  them 
must  be  striken  out. 

Theoretical  Considerations. 

There  has  been  so  decided  a  change  within  a  few  years  in  the 
opinions  of  geologists  as  to  the  origin  of  the  trap  rocks,  and  there  is 
now  so  general  an  agreement  in  regarding  them  as  igneous  products 
of  early  times,  that  a  prolonged  discussion  of  the  subject  in  this  place 
will  not  be  necessary.  I  shall  only  state  the  leading  arguments  in 
support  of  this  opinion,  that  will  apply  to  the  greenstone  of  Massa- 
chusetts. 

1.  The,  resemblance  in  external  characters  between  some  varieties 
of  our  greenstone  and  the  products  of  existing  volcanoes.  The 
amygdaloids  are  the  most  striking  in  their  resemblance.  In  the  val- 
ley of  the  Connecticut  it  is  easy  to  collect  a  suit  of  specimens  of  this 
description,  that  could  hardly  be  distinguished  from  specimens  that 
are  frequently  brought  from  the  craters  of  volcanoes,  except  by  the 
greater  freshness  of  the  latter.  Let  a  man  pass  from  Bridgman's 
tavern  in  the  southeast  part  of  Amherst  to  Granby,  over  the  east  part 


_ 
440    .  Scientific  Geology. 

of  Mount  Holyoke,  and  in  the  pastures  by  the  road  side,  he  will  see 
hummocks  of  amygdaloid  so  much  resembling  lava,  as  to  remind 
him  of  the  Phlegrean  Fields.  And  a  similar  appearance  is  not  un- 
common in  other  spots  on  the  east  and  southeast  sides  of  Holyoke 
and  Tom. 

Some  writers  regard  the  minerals  peculiar  to  our  greenstone,  such 
as  chalcedony,  the  zeolites,  prehnite,  augite,  &c.  as  evidence  of  its  ig- 
neous origin.  But  if,  as  is  probable,  most  of  these  were  infiltrated 
from  solution  in  water,  this  proof  is  not  of  much  weight,  especially 
since  they  have  been  found  of  late  in  several  of  the  stratified  rocks, 
such  as  mica  slate,  gneiss,  &c.  though  I  am  not  aware  that  they  have 
ever  been  discovered  in  rocks  of  exclusively  aqueous  origin. 

2.  The  columnar  structure  of  greenstone.      The  same  columnar 
form  is  assumed  by  lavas  when  they  are  slowly  cooled ;    but  in  no 
case  by  rocks  of  known  aqueous  origin.     How  unphilosophical  then, 
to  refer  this  structure  to  aqueous  agency  ! 

3.  The  irregular  manner  in  which  greenstone  is  intruded  among 
stratified  rocks.     Water  and  fire  are  the  only  two  great  agents  in  na- 
ture, as  I  suppose  will  by  all  be  admitted,  sufficiently  energetic  to  have 
produced  mountain  masses  of  rock ;  so  that  we  must  take  our  choice 
between  them,  unless  we  can  show  that  both  of  them  were  concerned 
in  the  work.      Now  I  cannot  conceive  it  possible  how  any  logical 
mind,  that  has  observed  trap  rocks  in  situ,  or  will  attentively  consider 
the  manner  in  which  I  have  shown  our  greenstone  to  be  intruded  in 
the  form  of  veins  and  irregular  masses  among  the  stratified   rocks, 
can  conceive  how  they  could  have  been  deposited  in  these  modes  from 
water.     But  they  are  exactly  the  shapes  which  melted  matter,  forced 
from  beneath,  through  and  among  consolidated  strata,  would  have  as- 
sumed.    What  but  a  wedded  attachment  to  hypothesis,  then,  can  pre- 
vent us  from  admitting  their  igneous  origin  ? 

4.  The  Mechanical  effects  of  Greenstone  upon  the  Stratified  Rocks. 
I  refer  here  to  the  evidence  that  our  greenstone  has  elevated,  broken, 
and  dislocated  the  strata  in  some  instances  through  which  it  has  been 
protruded.     The  section  at  Turner's  Falls,  exhibits  a  good  example  of 
these  effects,  as  well  as  similar  effects  of  the  primary  rocks,   which 
will  be  noticed  farther  on.     Nearest  the  greenstone  on  the  upper  side, 
we  find  the  dip  to  be  greatest,  gradually  diminishing  as  we  recede 
from  the  ridge.     That  this  increase  of  dip  resulted  from  the  protru- 
sion of  the  greenstone,  is  evident,  it  seems  to  me,  from  the  fact  that 
beneath  that  rock  the  dip  is  less,  corresponding  to  that  of  the  forma- 


Origin  of  Greenstone  44 1 

tion  generally.  A  similar  case  I  have  described  on  Mount  Holyoke  in 
Belchertown.  I  have  also  given  drawings  of  less  extensive,  though 
not  less  decided  cases  of  the  agency  of  a  mechanical  force  upon  the 
strata  in  juxtaposition  with  the  greenstone,  whereby  a  portion  of 
these  strata  is  forced  upwards,  at  Charlestown,  Northampton,  and 
New  Haven.  All  these  facts,  it  seems  to  me,  admit  but  one  explana- 
tion ;  and  irresistibly  lead  the  mind  to  the  conclusion,  that  a  force 
must  have  acted  in  the  interior  of  the  earth,  urging  the  greenstone 
through  the  superimposed  rocks  in  a  fluid  or  semi-fluid  state. 

5.  The  Chemical  effects  of  Greenstone  upon  the  Stratified  Rocks. 
At  Nahant  we  have  seen  that  it  has  converted  clay  slate  into  flinty 
slate :  in  Charlestown  a  similar  change  has  taken  place.  In  the 
Connecticut  valley,  much  of  the  sandstone  in  contact  with  the  green- 
stone has  become  vesicular  and  some  of  it  is  highly  indurated ;  and 
in  one  case  at  least,  somewhat  columnar.  Its  red  color  too  is  often 
destroyed,  its  texture  rendered  somewhat  crystalline,  and  the  mica- 
ceous varieties  partially  changed  to  mica  slate.  In  one  case,  also, 
limestone  is  converted  into  tripoli :  that  is,  its  carbonic  acid  is  ex- 
pelled. 

Now  it  requires  no  labored  argument  to  show  that  such  effects  as 
these  could  have  resulted  only  from  the  intrusion  among  the  strata  of 
rocks  in  a  state  of  fusion,  or  intensely  heated.  It  does  not  require 
even  a  practised  geologist  to  draw  this  conclusion :  for  the  facts, 
wherever  they  exist,  impress  every  man  who  observes  them  with  this 
belief. 

Upon  the  whole  I  cannot  see  that  any  thing  is  wanting  to  prove 
the  igneous  origin  of  our  greenstone.  It  may  be  asked,  indeed,  how 
it  happens,  that  while  existing  volcanoes  throw  up  their  matter  in  a 
conical  shape,  greenstone  forms  a  continuous  ridge,  70  or  80  miles 
long,  with  no  appearance  of  a  crater  or  craters.  There  is  reason  to  be- 
lie\e,  indeed,  that  the  mode  in  which  greenstone  was  erupted,  was  con- 
siderably different  from  the  operation  of  existing  volcanoes ;  and  that 
probably  the  protrusion  took  place  under  an  immense  weight  of  water : 
nor  can  it  be  imagined  how  a  common  volcanic  force,  which  acts  in  the 
direction  of  the  radii  of  a  circle,  should  thus  operate  lineally.  But  it 
is  easy  to  conceive  how  the  shrinking  of  the  interior  part  of  the  earth 
by  refrigeration,  faster  than  the  exterior,  would  produce  such  linear 
openings,  into  which  the  melted  matter  from  beneath  would  readily 
force  its  way.  But  more  of  this  ingenious  hypothesis  in  the  sequel, 
5,6 


442  Scientific  Geology. 

The  columnar  structure  of  the  trap  rocks  has  never  yet  received  a 
very  satisfactory  explanation.  From  the  fact  that  clay  when  drying 
divides  into  columnar  masses,  it  is  natural  to  enquire  whether  the  col- 
umns of  trap  had  not  a  similar  origin.  There  is,  however,  one  insuper- 
able difficulty  in  such  an  hypothesis.  The  desiccation  of  the  clay 
always  causes  it  to  shrink,  so  as  to  leave  interstices  between  the  colum- 
nar masses.  But  no  such  shrinking  has  taken  place  among  the  prisms 
of  trap.  There  are  no  spaces  between  them :  their  sides  actually 
touch.  Perhaps  in  the  present  state  of  our  knowledge  we  cannot 
come  nearer  the  truth,  than  to  consider  this  columnar  structure  as  one 
of  the  forms  of  a  concretionary  structure.  Yet  this  solution  affords 
no  great  satisfaction  to  the  mind,  so  long  as  we  are  in  doubt  as  to 
the  nature  of  a  concretionary  structure. 

We  have  seen  that  greenstone  is  sometimes  divided  by  parallel 
planes  into  masses  exceedingly  resembling  strata.  If  they  are  not 
genuine  strata,  what  is  their  orgin  ? 

In  all  the  unstratified  rocks,  small  spherical  or  ovoid  concretions 
occur,  composed  of  concentric  layers  of  greater  or  less  thickness. 
These  concretions  vary  exceedingly  in  size,  and  are  sometimes  not 
more  than  an  inch  in  diameter.  Nor  do  I  know  of  any  principles  in 
geology  or  chemistry  that  can  fix  any  limits  to  their  size.  Suppose 
now  a  concretion  to  have  been  produced  of  mountainous  bulk.  It  is 
obvious  that  if  only  a  small  portion  of  its  surface  be  laid  bare,  and 
only  a  few  of  its  envelopes  penetrated,  these  layers  may  have  exactly 
the  appearance  of  strata  ;  because  their  curvature  is  so  slight  for  a 
small  extent  as  not  to  be  perceptible.  In  this  way  should  I  account 
for  the  laminar  disposition  of  the  trap  at  Nahant :  and  I  shall  apply 
the  same  explanation  to  some  examples  still  more  striking  in  the  sie- 
nite  and  granite  of  the  State.  In  one  of  these  cases  I  think  I  have 
satisfactorily  traced  out  a  concretion  of  mountainous  bulk,  and  thus 
given  a  confirmation  to  the  theory  I  am  advocating. 

16.      PORPHYRY. 

Porphyry  has  been  for  so  many  centuries  used  as  an  ornamental 
stone,  and  the  term  has  been  so  often  employed  by  lapidaries  and  au- 
thors who  were  ignorant  of  geology,  that  its  popular  acceptation  is 
quite  too  loose  for  scientific  description.  Nor  are  geologists  exactly 
agreed  as  to  its  meaning.  "  The  term  porphyry,"  says  Macculloch, 
"  is  applied  to  a  rock  in  which  crystals  of  common  feldspar  are  im- 


Varieties  of  Porphyry,  443 

bedded  in  a  simple  or  compound  base."  "  The  word  porphyry," 
says  a  writer  in  the  Edinburgh  Review,  "  signifies  at  present  a  rock 
having  a  compact  basis,  through  which  are  scattered  crystals  of  some 
other  minerals."  "  Since  the  time  of  Werner,"  says  the  Dictionnarie 
Classiqe  D'  Histoire  Naturelle,  "most  mineralogists  confin  ethename 
Porphyry  to  rocks  with  a  porphyroid  structure,  composed  of  a  paste 
of  compact  feldspar  more  or  less  mixed,  which  envelopes  crystals  of 
feldspar  ordinarily  whitish."  Brongniart  defines  porphyry  as  hav- 
ing a  "  paste  of  amphibolic  petrosilex,  red  or  reddish,  enveloping  ob- 
vious crystals  of  feldspar." 

Since  porphyry  passes  into  other  rocks,  we  ought  to  recollect  a  re- 
remark  of  Macculloch,  that  "  the  term  porphyry,  when  used  in  geo- 
logical description,  must  not  always  be  taken  too  strictly  in  its  miner- 
alogical  sense."  With  the  latitude  which  this  remark  gives,  the  por- 
phyry of  Massachusetts  conforms  to  the  strictest  of  the  above  defini- 
tions. 

Miner alogical  Characters. 

1.  Compact  Feldspar.  (No.  1206  to  1228.)  This  mineral,  more 
or  less  changed  by  other  substances  chemically  mixed  with  it,  forms, 
I  believe,  the  basis  of  all  the  porphyry  in  Massachusetts.  At  any 
rate,  I  have  found  none  which  I  was  not  able  to  fuse  with  a  common 
blowpipe:  and  this  fact,  in  connection  with  another  that  the  great 
mass  of  our  porphyry  has  a  base  of  well  characterised  compact  felds- 
par, has  satisfied  me  that  this  is  the  predominant  ingredient  in  the 
whole  of  it.  But  this  compact  feldspar,  both  that  which  forms  the 
paste  of  porphyry,  and  that  which  contains  few  or  no  feldspar  crys- 
tals, varies  exceedingly  in  color,  in  toughness,  and  in  the  ease  with 
which  it  can  be  fused.  And  to  what  but  to  an  admixture  with  more 
or  less  of  other  minerals,  can  we  impute  these  differences  ? 

It  seems  to  me,  that  in  the  present  state  of  geological  science,  we 
may  take  it  for  granted,  that  compact  feldspar  has  once  been  melted. 
But  what  was  the  original  rock  from  which  it  was  produced?  Judg- 
ing from  the  present  constitution  of  the  earth's  crust,  we  must  suppose 
that  rock  to  have  been  one  in  which  feldspar  only  predominated,  but 
did  not  exist  alone  :  or  in  some  cases  perhaps,  the  feldspar  formed  only 
a  small  proportion  of  the  whole.  The  melting  down  of  such  rocks 
would  produce  just  such  varieties  of  compact  feldspar  as  we  find  to 
exist.  Sometimes  they  would  be  almost  pure,  while  at  other  times 
they  would  contain  so  much  silex,  or  other  earth,  that  they  could 


444  Scientific  Geology. 

scarcely  be   distinguished   from  horn  stone,  jasper,  quartz,  &c ;  and 
their  fusion  would  be  quite  difficult. 

Now  it  seems  to  me  that  there  is  too  close  a  resemblance  between 
this  a  priori  reasoning  and  facts,  to  permit  us  to  regard  the  former  as 
mere  hypothesis.  It  obviously  gives  us  a  clew  to  the  whole  history 
of  compact  feldspar,  and  prepares  us  to  expect  as  great  anomalies  in 
its  characters  as  can  present  themselves. 

Compact  feldspar  in  the  vicinity  of  Boston  forms  deposits  of  con- 
siderable extent:  I  mean  that  variety  which  is  so  deficient  in  crystals 
of  feldspar,  that  it  would  not  generally  be  denominated  porphyry.  It 
is  true,  however,  that  a  careful  examination  of  this  rock,  will  almost 
always  detect  these  crystals  in  it;  and  sometimes  polishing  will  bring- 
to  light  a  porphyrite  structure  where  it  was  not  previously  obvious. 
Hence  I  have  not  hesitated  to  reckon  compact  feldspar  as  a  variety  of 
porphyry.  The  variety  most  wanting  in  feldspar  crystals  usually  lies 
between  genuine  porphyry  or  sienite  on  the  one  side,  and  graywacke 
on  the  other.  A  deposit  of  it  thus  situated,  extends  from  Medford  to 
Maiden.  Another  strip  of  it  may  be  seen  in  the  south  part  of  Dor- 
chester and  Roxbury,  and  in  the  north  part  of  Milton  and  Ded- 
ham.  The  same  range  probably,  appears  and  forms  hills  in  Need- 
ham  and  Natick.  It  is  most  likely  the  other  extremity  of  this 
range  that  appears  in  Hingham.  Often  a  portion  of  these  deposits, 
especially  on  that  side  where  they  unite  with  graywacke,  exhibits 
somewhat  of  a  slaty  structure ;  and  when  describing  graywacke,  I 
have  mentioned  a  variety  which  is  conglomerated  compact  feldspar. 
This  was  noticed  near  Neponset  river,  not  far  from  the  line  between 
Milton  and  Dorchester. 

Although  the  compact  feldspar  under  consideration  assumes  almost 
every  variety  of  color,  yet  there  are  certain  predominant  colors.  One 
of  the  most  common  is  a  grayish  white :  as  in  Medford,  where  some  of 
the  rock  has  the  aspect  of  granular  quartz.  This  variety  sometimes 
assumes  a  yellowish  tinge,  as  in  Newbury;  and  this  appears  to  be 
one  of  the  purest  varieties  of  this  rock,  and  the  one,  which,  if  any,  will 
answer  for  Turkey  stones.  (No.  1206.)  A  dark  gray  color  is  another 
that  prevails  ;  and  sometimes  it  is  obvious  that  the  rock  embraces  frag- 
ments of  indurated  slate,  not  perfectly  incorporated  with  the  feldspar.  A 
more  striking  and  very  common  variety  is  red,  of  various  shades, 
from  brownish  to  blood  red.  The  latter  variety  abounds  in  Hing- 
ham, where  ledges  of  it  may  be  seen  a  little  north  of  the  village, 
Specimens  of  this  rock  can  hardly  be  distinguished  from  the  jasper 


Varieties  of  Porphyry.  445 

so  called  of  Saugus  ;  and  probably  it  is  essentially  the  same  thing, 
viz.  compact  feldspar  with  a  mixture  of  some  other  ingredients.  Both 
of  them  are  fusible  with  some  difficulty  into  a  semi-transparent  po- 
rous glass.  They  correspond  pretty  nearly  in  their  characters  to  the 
rose  petrosilex  of  Sahlberg,  described  by  Berthier  in  the  36th  volume 
of  the  Annales  de  Chimie  et  de  Physique,  and  which  he  regards  as  a 
distinct  species  from  compact  feldspar,  and  which  Beudant  has  since 
described  as  such.  However,  it  seems  to  me  that  if  we  make  a  dis- 
tinct species  of  this  variety,  we  must  make  a  dozen  others  from  the 
compact  feldspar  of  Massachusetts.  He  would  erect  this  into  a  new 
species,  chiefly  because  it  differs  from  feldspar  so  much  in  composition. 
But  if  compact  feldspar  had  an  igneous  origin,  should  we  not  expect 
its  composition  to  vary  very  much,  according  to  the  greater  or  less 
quantity  of  foreign  substances  that  happened  to  melt  and  mix  with 
the  feldspar :  nor  would  this  be  a  reason  for  making  distinct  species, 
so  long  as  the  constituents  of  feldspar  predominated.  Some  speci- 
mens of  our  compact  feldspar  of  a  reddish  color  exhibit  traces  of  a 
schistose  structure,  and  are  even  traversed  by  thin  veins  and  layers  of 
quartz.  These  melt  with  great  difficulty. 

These  are  the  principal  varieties  of  color  that  I  have  met  with  in 
the  non-porphyritic  compact  feldspar  of  Massachusetts.  When  por- 
phyritic,  however,  it  exhibits  several  other  predominant  colors,  which 
will  be  mentioned  in  the  proper  place. 

2.  Antique  Porphyry.  (Porphyre  antique,  Al.  Brongniart.)  This 
variety  constitutes  the  great  mass  of  the  porphyry  in  the  vicinity  of 
Boston  :  and  I  call  it  antique  because  it  so  closely  resembles  that  used 
in  the  monuments  and  ornamental  furniture  of  the  ancients.  As  to 
this  point  we  have  the  testimony  of  Prof.  A.  Brongniart,  who  quotes 
"  Chelsea  near  Boston;3'  as  a  locality  of  porphyry,  and  says  that  "  it 
entirely  resembles  the  antique  porphyry."*  He  might  have  added 
that  probably  as  many,  if  not  the  same  varieties  occur  in  the  vicinity 
of  Boston,  as  were  employed  by  the  ancients.  The  specimens  which 
1  have  placed  in  the  collection,  and  the  most  of  which  are  polished, 
will  render  this  statement  probable.  For  if  1  could  obtain  so  many 
varieties  during  the  little  time  that  I  have  spent  in  examining  this 
formation,  how  extensive  a  suite  might  be  brought  to  light  by  long 
and  careful  research ! 

The  compact  feldspar  that  forms  the  base  of  these  porhpyries  pre- 

*  Classification  des  Roches,  p.  108. 


446  Scientific  Geology. 

sents  numerous  varieties  and  shades  of  color.  One  of  the  most  ele- 
egant,  is  a  light  green,  such  as  occurs  in  Chelsea  and  Maiden  ;  (Nos. 
1254,1256,  1257,)  or  the  deeper  green  that  I  have  met  with  in  Mil- 
ton. (No.  1255.)  Red  of  various  shades  is  a  still  more  frequent  color. 
(Nos.  1247  to  1253,)  A  reddish  brown  is  sometimes  met  with.  (Nos. 
1240,  1241,  1243,  1258.)  A  nearly  black  color  more  often  :  (Nos. 
1234,  1235,  1236,)  A  gray  color  sometimes:  (Nos.  1239,  1242, 
1244,)  and  a  purple  color  rather  seldom.  (Nos.  1232,  1233,)  The 
imbedded  crystals  are  usually  of  a  light  color,  sometimes  white,  some- 
times brown,  and  sometimes  greenish.  Generally  they  are  foliated, 
very  rarely  compact,  and  distinguished  from  the  base  chiefly  by  the 
color. 

3.  Porphyry  with  a  base  of  compact  Feldspar  and  two  or  more  min- 
erals imbedded.  (Nos.  1258  to  1262,)  Feldspar  and  quartz  are  the  two 
minerals  present ;  but  I  have  noticed  several  small  plates  of  mica.    It 
is  very  obvious,  indeed,  that  this  rock  is  intermediate  between  sienite 
and  porphyry.     In  other  words,  it  seems  to  be  the  former  rock  partly 
melted  down  into  the  latter.     The  porphyry  of  the  Blue  Hills  is  chief- 
ly made  up  of  this  variety  ;  though  some  perfectly  formed  porphyry 
is  found  there.     The  quartz  is  usually  hyaline  and  smoky,  and  some- 
times it  forms  the  only  imbedded  mineral ;  the  feldspar  being  all  com- 
pact.    In  such  case  especially,  where  the  base  is  of  a  light  color,  the 
rock  exceedingly  resembles  trachytic  porphyry;    (Nos.  1261,  1262,) 
and  it  will  hardly  admit  of  being  polished  for  ornamental  purposes. 
That  a  porphyry,  which,  by  being  thus  associated  so  intimately  with 
sienite,  is  proved  to  be  one  of  the  oldest  varieties  on  the  globe,  should 
so  much  resemble  the  most  recent  variety,  proves  that  similar  causes 
have  operated  in  its  production  at  different  and  very  remote  periods. 

4.  Brecciated  Porphyry.     I  know  riot  how  to  describe  this  variety 
better,  than  by  saying  that  it  is  composed  of  angular  fragments  of  por- 
phyry and  compact  feldspar,  re-united  by  a  paste  of  the  same  materi- 
als, which xis  itself  also  porphyritic.     Hence  it  appears  that  there  must 
have  been  an  original  formation  of  these  rocks,  (compact  feldspar  and 
porphyry,)  which  was  subsequently  broken  up,  either  by  the  mechan- 
ical agency  of  water,  or  the  mechanico-chemical  agency  of  heat,  re- 
dissolving  and  mingling  the  materials.     The  fragments  are  of  various 
colors,  usually  however,  gray  or  red  :  and  this  proves  that  rocks  from 
different  localities  must  have  been  mixed  together.     The  paste  is  com- 
monly in  the  greatest  quantity  ;  and  the  rock  is  as  hard  and  broken 
with  as  much  difficulty  as  any  other  variety  of  porphyry.     It  is  not 


Ranges  of  Porphyry.  447 

a  very  common  or  abundant  variety :  but  for  ornamental  purposes  it 
affords  specimens  of  great  delicacy.     (Nos.    1263  to  1270.) 

Topography  of  Porphyry. 

Only  three  ranges  of  this  rock  are  given  on  the  map  ;  and  these 
are  all  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  state.  Two  of  them,  —  the  princi- 
pal ones, — lie  the  one  on  the  north  and  the  other  on  the  south  of  Bos- 
ton, having  their  longitudinal  direction  east  and  west.  The  third  is 
in  Essex  county,  extending  easterly  from  Byfield  Academy,  nearly  or 
quite  to  the  coast.  This  strip  is  chiefly  compact  feldspar  and  mostly 
the  red  variety.  It  certainly  deserves  a  more  thorough  examination 
than  I  have  been  able  to  give  it. 

In  some  places  farther  south,  as  for  instance  on  the  turnpike  be- 
tween Boston  and  Newburyport,  in  Topsfield,  I  observed  a  rock  in 
place,  intermediate  between  porphyry  and  greenstone :  and  not  im- 
probably genuine  porphyry  may  be  found  in  the  vicinity. 

This  rock  is  most  fully  developed  in  its  characters  in  the  range  a 
a  little  north  of  Boston,  extending  from  West  Cambrige  through  Mai- 
den and  Medford  to  the  east  part  of  Lynn.  The  southern  border  of 
this  strip,  certainly  towards  its  westerly  extremity,  is  compact  feldspar. 
The  porphyry  (mostly  antique,  though  sometimes  brecciated,)  forms  a 
broken  ridge  of  considerable  height,  generally  naked  and  precipitous 
on  its  southern  side.  On  the  north  it  is  succeeded  by  sienite,  and  the 
two  rocks  are  so  closely  connected  that  the  line  between  them  is  very 
obscure  and  irregular.  I  am  satisfied,  however,  that  this  porphyry 
range  has  been  usually  represented  too  wide.  This  is  the  range  that 
will  probably  furnish  the  best  varieties  for  ornamental  purposes,  when- 
ever the  public  taste  shall  create  a  demand. 

There  is  reason  to  suppose  that  this  range  once  extended  much  far- 
ther east  than  at  present.  For  Hon.  H.  A.  S.  Dearborn  informs  me 
that  Halfway  Rock,  lying  in  the  ocean  several  miles  east  of  Marble- 
head,  is  porphyry.  Indeed,  specimen  No.  1264,  which  he  presented 
to  me,  will  show  that  it  is  the  finest  brecciated  porphyry  in  the  State, 
which  I  have  met  with.  Now  as  this  island  lies  nearly  in  the  direc- 
tion of  the  Maiden  and  Lynn  porphyry  range  continued  easterly,  I  in- 
fer that  it  did  once  reach  so  far  ;  (and  perhaps  does  now  beneath  the 
ocean ;)  nor  can  we  say  how  much  farther.  We  see  here  from 
whence  proceeded  the  porphyry  pebbles  that  are  so  common  along 
the  southern  shore  of  Massachusetts  Bay,  and  on  the  islands  of  Nan- 
tucket  and  Martha's  Vineyard. 


448  Scientific  Geology. 

The  porphyry  range  south  of  Boston  occupies  much  more  of  the 
surface  than  that  just  described ;  and  yet  I  doubt  whether  it  contains 
so  much  genuine  porphyry.  It  extends  with  some  apparent  inter- 
ruptions, (though  I  doubt  whether  there  are  any  real  interruptions,) 
from  Natick  to  Hingham,  through  a  part  of  Needham,  Dedham,  Mil- 
ton, Braintree,  ,Q,uincy,  and  Weymouth.  I  have  not  found  it,  how- 
ever, in  the  latter  place,  and  have  marked  the  deposit  of  this  rock  in 
Hingham  as  insulated  from  the  rest.  This  patch  is  chiefly  compact 
feldspar.  The  range  it  will  be  seen  embraces  the  greater  part  of  the 
Blue  Hills,  the  most  elevated  land  in  the  vicinity  of  Boston,  its  high- 
est point  rising  more  than  700  feet  above  the  ocean.  But  it  is  only 
the  upper  part  of  this  mountain  that  is  composed  of  porphyr}r,  and 
by  no  means  the  whole  of  its  summit  neither :  for  sienite  is  frequent- 
ly found  there.  The  porphyry  is  chiefly  that  variety  which  has  a 
trachytic  aspect,  being  evidently  intermediate  between  porphyry  and 
sienitq. 

I  have  met  with  rocks  approaching  to  porphyry  in  no  other  places 
in  the  State,  except  one  or  two.  In  the  sienite  of  Whately  I  found  a 
vein  of  compact  feldspar  two  or  three  feet  wide;  but  the  foliated 
structure  of  the  feldspar  was  not  entirely  obliterated.  In  the  argilla- 
ceous slate  of  Guilford,  Vt,  a  quite  distinct  porphyroid  granite  oc- 
curs, and  with  it  well  characterised  greenish  compact  feldspar.  These 
rocks  are  so  obviously  granite,  imperfectly  melted  down,  that  I  have 
thought  it  best  to  describe  them  under  granite,  and  to  place  the  spe- 
cimens (Nos.  1467  to  1470,)  among  those  of  granite.  A  speci- 
men (No.  1211,)  of  the  Whately  compact  feldspar  will  be  found  in 
the  collection. 

Geological  Position. 

Of  all  the  questions  that  have  exercised  the  ingenuity  of  geologists, 
none  appear  to  me  more  perplexing  and  unprofitable  than  those  which 
they  have  raised  and  discussed  relative  to  the  primitive,  transition, 
and  secondary  character  of  porphyries.  In  reading  Humboldt's  re- 
marks on  the  transition  porphyries,  in  his  Essay  on  the  Superposi- 
tion of  Rocks,  I  have  been  reminded  of  a  man  benighted  in  a  quag- 
mire. Every  effort  which  he  makes  to  extricate  himself,  only  plunges 
him  in  deeper.  Am  I  asked  whether  the  porphyry  of  Massachusetts 
belongs  to  the  Primitive,  Transition,  or  Secondary  Class  ?  I  reply 
that  it  belongs  to  none  of  them,  but  is  a  member  of  a  series  of  rocks 
consisting  of  granite,  sienite,  porphyry,  and  greenstone,  which  have 


Position  of  Porphyry.  449 

been  protruded  through  or  among  the  stratified  rocks,  subse- 
quent to  their  deposition.  I  say  protruded:  for  if  there  be  ground 
for  making  any  theoretical  inferences  whatever  in  geology,  it 
seems  to  me  that  it  exists  in  this  instance.  The ,  mere  exist- 
ence of  these  rocks,  therefore,  among  those  of  any  particular 
stratified  class,  does  not  prove  that  they  were  produced  at  the  same 
epoch :  it  rather  proves  that  the  unstratified  rock  was  of  subsequent 
production.  On  the  other  hand,  if  we  find  a  stratified  rock  lying 
above  others  Avhich  are  penetrated  by  veins  of  an  unstratified  rock, 
while  this  superior  one  is  never  thus  penetrated,  we  may  safely  infer 
that  it  was  deposited  since-  the  protusion  of  the  unstratified  rock. 
These  seem  to  be  the  two  grand  limits  of  our  inquiries  in  respect  to 
the  ages  of  the  unstratified  rocks.  And  if  this  were  all  that  is  meant 
when  the  inquiry  is  whether  they  are  primitive,  transition,  or  secon- 
dary, a  satisfactory  answer  might  be  given.  In  respect  to  the  relative 
position  of  the  porphyry  of  Massachusetts,  however,  I  have  but  little 
to  say,  because  but  few  facts  have  fallen  under  my  observation.  I 
have  never  met  with  an  instance  in  which  this  porphyry  was  exhib- 
ited in  juxtaposition  with  any  stratified  rock :  except  as  already  re- 
marked, the  compact  feldspar  succeeds  to  the  graywacke  as  an  older 
rock  and  gradually  passes  into  porphyry.  This  porphyry,  however, 
is  associated,  both  on  the  north  and  south  of  Boston,  with  sienite;  and 
in  all  cases,  so  far  as  I  have  observed,  the  porphyry  lies  above  the  sien- 
ite, and  there  is  a  gradual  transition  between  the  two  rocks.  This 
fact  is  most  obvious  in  the  Blue  Hill  range,  where  one  is  often 
much  perplexed  to  decide  whether  the  rock  be  sienite  or  porphyry. 
The  sienite  in  these  cases,  however,  it  is  important  to  remark,  is  never 
so  far  as  I  know,  that  variety  consisting  of  compact  feldspar  and  horn- 
blende, which  occurs  as  a  member  of  the  overlying  family  of  rocks, 
but  that  variety  composed  essentially  of  feldspar,  quartz  and  horn- 
blende, which  is  connected  with  granite.  Hence  I  infer  that  our  por- 
phyry belongs  to  the  oldest  varieties  of  this  rock  that  have  been 
described. 

Mineral  Contents. 

Although  in  South  America,  according  to  Humboldt,porphyry  forms 
the  matrix  of  gold  and  some  other  metals,  yet  in  general  this  rock  is 
remarkably  destitute  of  foreign  minerals.  It  is  so  in  Massachusetts. 
In  Maiden  it  contains  a  little  specular  oxide  of  iron,  and  this  is  the 
only  mineral  hitherto  announced  as  occurring  in  it.  A  careful 
57 


450  Scientific  Geology. 

examination  of  specimen  No.  1222  with  a  microscope,  has  led  me 
to  the  belief  that  it  contains  a  minute  quantity  of  native  gold. 
The  quantity  is  so  very  small  that  an  assay  cannot  be  made  of 
it :  yet  it  certainly  bears  an  exact  resemblance  to  native  gold.  The 
specimen  is  an  extremely  hard  variety  of  compact  feldspar  approach- 
ing flinty  slate,  from  the  Blue  Hills.  I  should  not  allude  to  this  cir- 
cumstance were  not  the  porphyry  of  South  America  rich  in  this 
metal. 

Theoretical  Considerations. 

Porphyry,or  rather  its  base,  has  more  the  appearance  of  having  once 
been  melted  than  any  of  the  unstratified  rocks,  except  perhaps  some  of 
the  vesicular  traps.  It  has  been  thought  by  some  distinguished  wri- 
ters that  compact  feldspar  ought  to  be  regarded  as  a  mineral  species 
distinct  from  common  feldspar,  chiefly  because  soda  is  found  in  it 
more  frequently  than  potassa,  and  often  exclusively.  But  one  has  only 
to  examine  the  analyses  of  these  two  substances,  to  see  that  in  this  re- 
spect there  is  great  diversity  among  both  varieties.  If  compact  feld- 
spar is  common  feldspar  or  albite  that  has  been  melted  in  connec- 
tion with  other  minerals,  we  ought  to  expect,  as  I  have  remarked  in 
another  place,  that  its  composition  would  not  coincide  with  that  of  com- 
mon feldspar.  And  that  it  does  result  from  this  change  in  common 
feldspar,  I  can  hardly  doubt,  when  I  often  see  specimens  that  have  not 
entirely  lost  their  foliated  structure,  being  intermediate  between  the 
two  minerals.  And  then  the  chemical  effects  that  have  been  produc- 
ed on  other  rocks  in  the  vicinity  'of  compact  feldspar,  (examples  of 
which  have  been  mentioned  under  greenstone,)  clearly  point  us  to  an 
igneous  agency. 

I  have  elsewhere  elucidated  the  argument  in  favour  of  the  igneous 
origin  of  all  rocks  that  are  porphyritic,  drawn  from  the  chemistry  of 
the  subject.  If  that  argument  be  valid,  it  is  obvious  that  it  will  apply 
with  peculiar  force  to  the  rock  under  consideration. 

It  is  not  uncommon  to  meet  with  specimens  of  porphyry  that  exhib- 
it traces  of  an  originally  slaty  structure  in  all  or  apart  of  the  materials 
composing  it.  This  clearly  points  us  to  a  slaty  rock  as  the  source 
from  which  porphyry  was  derived.  And  sometimes  fragments  of  this 
rock,  along  with  fragments  of  compact  feldspar,  flinty  slate,  &c.  are 
scattered  through  the  mass  as  if  partly  melted  down ;  very  much  as 
fragments  appear  in  the  slag  of  a  furnace.  They  seem  to  be  all  but  in- 
corporated with  the  paste,  and  the  whole  mass  presents  an  appearance 


Sienite.  451 

of  a  more  perfect  chemical  union  than  any  rock  resulting  from  aque- 
ous agency  ever  exhibits,  unless  it  be  entirely  crystalline. 

Under  what  peculiar  circumstances  the  matter  composing  porphy- 
ry was  indurated,  so  as  to  prevent  the  greater  part  of  the  mass  from 
assuming  a  crystalline  state,  it  seems  to  me  difficult  to  conjecture  : 
and,  therefore,  1  will  not  indulge  in  any  speculations  upon  it.  The 
gradual  passage  of  this  rock  into  sienite,  without  any  apparent  change 
of  ingredients,  seems  to  indicate  that  the  peculiarities  of  porphyry  did 
not  result  chiefly  from  the  nature  of  the  materials  employed  in  its 
production, 

17.    SIENITE. 

Most  writers  define  classic  sienite  to  be  essentially  composed  of 
feldspar  and  hornblende  :  the  first  ingredient  in  the  greatest  quantity. 
It  is  essential  also,  that  it  should  be  connected  with  the  overlying  or 
trap  rocks.  This  definition  corresponds  but  to  a  small  part  of  the  si- 
enite of  Massachusetts.  The  greater  part  of  it  contains  quartz  as  a 
constant  and  somewhat  abundant  ingredient,  and  mica  is  very  often 
present.  The  most  of  our  sienite  is  the  granitic  variety,  and 
might  perhaps  have  been  described  as  sienitic  granite.  Yet  in 
the  eastern  part  of  the  state  it  is  very  intimately  associated  with 
greenstone  •  and,  therefore,  I  have  thought  it  best  to  describe  all 
the  varieties  of  rock,  between  greenstone  and  porphyry  on  one 
side,  and  common  granite  on  the  other,  into  whose  composition 
hornblende  enters,  under  the  name  of  sienite.  Macculloch's  de- 
finition, which  he  says  "  alone  rigidly  accords  with  the  common 
definition  of  sienite,"  embraces  the  most  important  variety  of  our  sie- 
nite :  viz.  a  granitiform  mixture  of  feldspar,  hornblende,  and  quartz. 
And  this  definition  I  shall  take  as  the  type  of  the  rock  now  to  be  de- 
scribed. 

The  original  specimen  to  which  Werner  applied  the  name  sienite 
came  from  Sienna  in  Upper  Egypt,  whence  were  obtained  many  of 
the  well  known  Egyptian  monuments,  such  as  Cleopatra's  Needle, 
Pompey's  Pillar,  &c.  But  this  rock,  it  is  now  well  known,  is  noth- 
ing but  a  red  granite  with  black  mica  and  a  very  small  proportion  of 
hornblende;  a  rock  quite  different  from  what  Werner  supposed. 
This  mistake  has  occasioned  almost  endless  confusion  in  geological 
descriptions.  Roziere  proposed  a  remedy.  Ascertaining  that  mount 


452  Scientific  Geology. 

Sinai  in  Arabia  is  composed  of  genuine  sienite,  he  proposed  to  change 
sienite  into  Sinaite :  But  geologists  have  unfortunately  neglected  the 
hint. 

Miner  alogical  Characters. 

1.  Feldspar  and  Hornblende.     This  differs  from  greenstone  by  the 
predominance  of  the  feldspar:  and  yet  it  is  obvious  that  in  respect  to 
many  specimens,   and  even  large  deposits,  it  is   difficult  to    decide 
whether  they  should  be  referred  to  the  former  or  the  latter  rock.     In 
almost  all  cases  both  the  ingredients  are  more  or  less  crystalline ; 
though  sometimes,  as  at  Naharit,  the  feldspar  seems  to  be  passing  to 
a  compact  state.     The  hornblende  is  almost  universally   black ;  the 
feldspar  white,  greenish,  and  yellowish.  (Nos.  1271  to  1285.) 

I  apprehend  that  by  a  careful  examination  of  the  specimens  of  this 
variety,  nearly  all  of  them  would  be  found  to  contain  more  or  less 
quartz  :  but  quartz  and  feldspar,  when  seen  through  a  microscope,  re- 
semble each  other  so  much,  that  it  is  not  easy  to  decide.  At  any 
rate,  this  variety  insensibly  admits  quartz  and  mica  into  its  composi- 
tion, and  thus  approximates  to  granite.  It  is  hardly  necessary  to  say, 
that  on  the  other  hand  it  passes  into  greenstone.  This  variety,  al- 
though elegant,  is  rarely  wrought  for  ornamental  purposes,  on  ac- 
count of  the  proverbial  toughness  of  the  hornblende. 

2.  Feldspar,    Quartz,  and  Hornblende.     This   variety   embraces 
nearly  all  the  sienite  in  the  State  that  is  employed  for  architectural 
purposes,  including  the  quarries  at  Q,uincy  and  those  at  Cape  Ann. 
Feldspar  is  the  most  abundant  ingredient.     This  is  foliated,  and  com- 
monly of  a  grayish,  bluish,  or  yellowish  color.     A  hyaline  quartz,  va- 
rying in  color  from  quite  light  to  quite  dark  gray,  is  very  uniformly 
mixed  with  the  feldspar,  so  as  to  exhibit  homogeneousness  in  the  midst 
of  variety.    In  general,  the  hornblende,  which  is  black,  is  very  sparing 
ly  disseminated,  and  hand  specimens  often  contain  not  a  particle.     In- 
deed, over  extensive  tracts  I  have  sometimes  not  met  with  any.  Hence 
I  regard  this  hornblende  as  an   unessential    ingredient;  and  conse- 
quently have  arranged  under  this  variety  a  rock  very  common  in  the 
vicinity  of  Boston,  differing  from  that  just  described  only  by  the  ab- 
sence of  hornblende.     It  is  most  common  a  considerable  distance 
south  of  Boston  in  the  counties  of  Norfolk  and  Plymouth.  In  some  in- 
stances, as  may  be  seen  by  the  specimens,  Nos  1286  to  1308,  the  feld- 
spar is   flesh  red,  or  a  lilac  red,  and  in  others  of  a  blood  red  color. 
Its   great   resemblance   in  structure  and  composition  to  the   Quincy 


Varieties  of  Sienite.  453 

and  Cape  Ann  sienites,  and  the  remarkable  absence  of  mica,  have  led 
me  to  associate  it  with  the  variety  under  consideration  :  and  in  fact  it 
forms  a  part  of  the  same  range.  I  distinguish  this  rock  from  granite 
only  by  the  absence  of  mica :  yet  it  must  be  obvious  that  this  mark  is 
not  very  satisfactory. 

Sometimes  the  feldspar  in  this  compound  of  that  mineral  and 
quartz,  is  nearly  or  quite  compact.  I  have  observed  this  variety  most 
frequently  in  the  north  part  of  Essex  county,  as  in  Rowley  and  New- 
bury.  A  like  compound  is  connected  with  the  sienite  of  other  coun- 
tries. 

3.  Feldspar,  Hornblende,  Quartz  and   Mica.     In  this  quaternary 
compound  we  have  a  still  nearer  approach  to  granite.     And  general- 
ly it  passes  into  granite  by  the  disappearance  of  hornblende  and  the 
increase  of  quartz  and  mica.     Yet  in  all  cases  where  I  have  noticed 
it,  this  rock  occupies  a  position  between  genuine  granite  and  the  newer 
stratified  rocks.     Hence  I  infer,  that  geologically  considered,  the  dif- 
ference between  it  and  granite  are  important  to  be  noticed. 

The  feldspar  and  hornblende  are  the  predominant  ingredients  in 
this  variety.  The  quartz  is  in  so  small  grains  that  it  is  apt  to  escape 
notice ;  and  the  mica,  being  usually  black,  is  very  easily  mistaken  for 
hornblende.  In  general  all  the  ingredients  exhibit  a  liveliness  of 
crystalline  structure  which  is  observable  only  in  the  oldest  rocks. 
The  feldspar  is  ordinarily  white,  sometimes  flesh  colored,  and  the 
hornblende  black.  The  grain  of  tho  rock  is  commonly  finer  than 
that  of  the  2d  variety.  As  yet  it  has  been  but  seldom  employed  for 
architectural  purposes  ;  although  it  would  be  beautiful  and  enduring. 
(Nos.  1319  to  1340.) 

4.  Porphyritic  Sienite.     (Nos.  1341  to  1349.)  I  mean  by  this  term 
any  sienite  through  which  are  interspersed  crystals  or  foliated  masses 
of  feldspar,  so  as  to  give  the  rock  a  poiphyritic  aspect.     I  do  not  re- 
collect, however,  ever  having  seen  the  last  variety  above  described, 
porphyritic.     And    indeed,  nearly  all   the  rock  which  I  regard  as 
porphyritic  sienite  in  Massachusetts,  and  specimens  of  which  will  be 
found  in  the  collection, ^is  almost  entirely  destitute  of  hornblende; 
and  hence  many  geologists  would  regard  it  as   porphyritic  granite. 
But   the  specimens   are  rarely  wanting  in  veins  and  disseminated 
masses  of  compact  epidote,  and  I  cannot  but  regard  this  mineral  as 
more  decidedly  characteristic  of  our  sienite  than  hornblende.     If  this 
be  present  and  the  mica  almost  or  entirely  absent,  I  have  little  hesita- 
tion in  regarding  the  rock  as  geologically  a  part  of  a  sienitic  deposit, 


454  Scientific  Geology, 

The  most  elegant  variety  of  porphyritic  sienite  that  I  have  met  with 
in  the  State,  occurs  in  Abington,  and  North  Bridgwater,  and  in  other 
parts  of  Plymouth  county.  Its  base  consists  of  quartz  and  feldspar, 
with  an  abundance  of  epidote  disseminated  and  in  veins.  The  feld- 
spar crystals  that  constitute  it  a  porphyry,  are  of  a  flesh  color.  There 
is  also  a  dark  colored  mineral  diffused  through  the  mass,  which  may 
be  hornblende  or  mica.  This  rock  if  polished  would  form  it  seems  to 
me  the  most  elegant  ornamental  stone  in  the  State.  (Nos.  1344  to  1347.) 

The  sienite  of  Cape  Ann  is  often  porphyritic.  In  one  place, 
about  halfway  between  Sandy  Bay  and  Gloucester  Harbour,  I  found 
a  variety  in  which  the  imbedded  feldspar  crystals  are  of  a  very  rich 
bronze  color,  approaching  in  appearance  to  hypersthene.  But  when 
this  rock  is  smoothed  its  aspect  is  too  dark  to  be  elegant.  (No.  1343.) 

5.  Conglomerated  Sienite.  (Nos.  1350  to  1353.)  This  is  a  most  in- 
teresting variety  on  account  of  the  bearing  which  its  characters  have 
upon  the  theory  of  the  formation  of  sienite.     I  have  met  with  it  chief- 
ly in  the  compound  No.  3,  just  described.     The  rock  in  general  does 
not  differ  from  that  variety :  but  it  contains  rounded  masses  of  the  old- 
er stratified  rocks.     It  is  in  fact  a  real  conglomerate;  and  in  some 
places  the  nodules  are  so  numerous  that  it  has  very  much  the  aspect 
of  the  course  puddingstones  of  the  newer  rocks.     The  nodules  vary 
in  size  from  the  diameter  of  half  an  inch  to  that  of  six  or  eight  inches. 
They  are  not  smoothed,  like  the  pebbles  in  the  more  recent  conglom- 
erates, by  mechanical  attrition  :  but  they  appear  like  masses  of  rocks 
that  have  been  partly  melted  down  by  heat.     In  almost  all  cases  horn- 
blende predominates  in  these  nodules  :  and  often  they  consist  of  dis- 
tinct hornblende  slate.     Sometimes  they  contain  mica  in  considerable 
quantity,  and  more  rarely  they  consist  chiefly  of  quartz  and  mica,  the 
former  in  excess,  forming  a  kind  of  quartz  rock.     Feldspar  is  also 
frequently  present,  especially  in  those  cases  where  the  schistose  struc- 
ture is  indistinct ;  and  sometimes  the  nodule  appears  to  be  only  a  va- 
riety of  sienite  in  which  the  feldspar  is  in  a  smaller  quantity  than  usu- 
al.    Upon  the  whole,  I  think  1  have  ascertained  the  presence  of  horn- 
blende slate,  mica  slate,  and  quartz  rock,  in  these  nodules.     When 
the  rock  is  broken  they  are  knocked -out  without  difficulty,  like  the 
pebbles  from  a  common  conglomerate. 

The  theoretical  inferences  deducible  from  these  facts  I  shall  reserve 
for  the  sequel. 

6.  Augitic  Sienite.     The  presence  of  hornblende  in  this  rock  and 
the  absence  of  mica,  have  led  me  to  call  it  augitic  sienite  rather  than 


Ranges  of  Sienite.  455 

augitic  granite ;  although  in  position  it  is  associated  with  granite. 
There  are  two  varieties.  The  first  is  composed  of  black  hornblende, 
greenish  augite,  and  yellowish  feldspar ;  all  the  ingredients  except 
the  feldspar  exhibiting  a  very  distinct  and  lively  crystalline  structure. 
This  variety  occurs  in  the  northern  part  of  Belchertown.  The  other 
variety,  which  I  have  found  only  in  bowlders  in  Amherst,  consists  of 
augite  and  feldspar ;  the  former  being  so  arranged  in  the  latter  as  to 
present  the  appearance  of  letters.  (Nos.  1362,  1363.) 

Topography  of  Sienite. 

The  eastern,  and  northeastern  parts  of  Massachusetts  most  abound  in 
sienite.  A  large  part  of  Essex  County  is  based  upon  it,  as  are  several 
towns  in  Middlesex.  On  the  south  of  Boston  it  spreads  over  a  large 
part  of  Norfolk  county  and  some  part  of  Plymouth.  A  glance  at  the 
map  will  show  where  it  prevails  most  extensively.  In  all  these  places 
it  forms  hills  of  moderate  elevation  with  no  very  striking  characters. 
Its  particular  situation  in  respect  to  greenstone  and  granite  I  have 
already  described  in  treating  of  the  former  rock. 

The  only  other  place  in  the  State  where  I  have  met  with  sienite  in 
place,  is  in  the  valley  of  the  Connecticut.  Here  I  have  marked  two 
deposits  of  considerable  extent.  The  first  extends  from  Mount  Hoi- 
yoke  in  Belchertown  to  Chickopee  river  and  a  little  beyond :  the  oth- 
er, on  the  west  side  of  the  Connecticut,  occupies  a  considerable  part  of 
Northampton  and  Hatfield,  and  extends  to  the  center  of  Whately. 

Although  sienite  very  much  resembling  that  which  exists  in  the 
valley  of  the  Connecticut  occurs  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  state,  yet 
none  like  that  which  is  so  commonly  employed  for  architectural  pur- 
poses in  the  eastern  part  of  the  state,  known  as  the  Q,uincy  and  Cape 
Ann  sienite,  is  found  in  the  valley  of  the  Connecticut.  Nor  have 
I  met  with  any  in  that  valley  which  is  porphyritic.  Indeed,  I  have 
arranged  all  which  has  come  under  my  observation  in  that  valley, 
under  the  quaternary  compound  described  as  the  third  variety  in  giv- 
ing the  mineralogical  characters :  although  I  doubt  not  but  one  or 
more  of  the  four  ingredients  may  sometimes  be  wanting.  Perhaps 
all  of  this  sienite  might  properly  be  described  as  sienitic  granite,  or 
granite  which  takes  a  proportion  of  hornblende  into  its  composition. 

The  sienite  in  the  Connecticut  valley  occupies  a  low  level,  rarely 
rising  into  hills  of  more  than  100  or  200  feet  high:  And  on  the  west 
side  of  the  river  a  considerable  part  of  the  formation  is  buried  up  by 
diluvium  and  tertiary  strata. 


456  Scientific  Geology. 

The  sienite  of  this  valley  sometimes  exhibits  a  strong  disposition 
to  assume  a  columnar  form.  Perhaps  this  is  exhibited  no  where  to 
better  advantage  than  in  the  ledge  by  the  road  side  about  a  mile  north 
of  Northampton  village.  The  columnar  masses  are  only  a  few  inches 
in  diameter,  and  are  much  less  perfect  than  those  found  in  green- 
stone. The  fact,  however,  is  interesting,  as  indicating  a  similarity 
in  the  causes  that  produced  the  two  rocks. 

Pseudo- Stratification  of  Sienite. 

Atone  of  the  quarries  of  this  rock  at  Sandy  Bay,  Cape  Ann,  on 
the  road  from  thence  to  Squam,  a  remarkably  fine  example  may  be 
seen  of  the  division  of  this  rock  into  parallel  portions.  Their  thick- 
ness varies  from  two  inches  to  two  feet,  and  great  facility  is  thus  af- 
forded for  quarrying  the  stone. 

As  this  apparent  stratification  extends  only  a  few  rods,  while  all  the 
rest  of  the  sienite  on  the  Cape  that  I  have  met  with,  is  unstratified,  we 
cannot  regard  this  case  as  real  stratification.  I  consider  it  an  example  of 
the  concretionary  structure  on  a  large  scale.  But  it  is  unnecessary  in 
this  place  to  dwell  upon  this  explanation,  since  I  have  already  discussed 
it  in  treating  of  a  similar  phenomenon  in  greenstone. 

Veins  in  Sienite. 

These  are  numerous  and  various  in  their  probable  mode  of  produc- 
tion, as  well  as  in  their  composition.  Some  of  them  might  properly 
be  denominated,  "  veins  of  segregation  ;"*  "as  they  seem  to  have  been 
formed  by  a  separation  of  parts  during  the  gradual  passage  of  the  min- 
eral masses  into  a  solid  state."  In  most  cases  they  appear  to  consist 
only  of  harder  portions  of  the  rock,  which  become  visible  only  by 
the  weathering  of  the  surface,  when  they  are  left  in  projecting  ridges 
and  at  a  little  distance  cannot  be  distinguished  from  injected  veins. 
I  presume  that  it  will  be  found  in  all  cases,  that  these  veins  differ 
somewhat  in  composition  from  the  rest  of  the  rock  :  and  indeed,  in 
some  cases  this  is  obvious,  as  they  contain  more  or  less  of  a  foreign 
mineral,  such  as  epidote  or  quartz. 

The  greater  part  of  the  veins  in  our  sienite  consist  of  materials 
foreign  to  the  nature  of  the  rock,  and  introduced  subsequently  to  its 
original  production.  I  do  not  say  subsequently  to  its  consolidation  : 
for  it  has  appeared  to  me  possible,  that  while  a  molten  mass  of  rock, 

*  Sedgwick's  Anniversary  Address  before  the  London  Geol.  Soc.  1831,  p.  3. 


Veins  in  Sienite.  457 

say  sienite,  was  in  an  incipient  state  of  refrigeration,  matter  of  a  sim-  x 
ilar  kind,  still  more  intensely  heated,  might  have  been  injected  into  it 
so  as  to  form  veins.  And  the  very  near  approach  which  some  of  the 
veins  in  sienite  and  granite  exhibit  to  veins  of  segregation,  has  led  me 
to  the  suspicion  that  they  might  have  been  produced  in  some 
such  way,  rather  than  by  the  filling  up  of  open  fissures  subsequent  to 
the  consolidation  of  the  mass,  of  the  rock.  However,  very  many  of 
the  veins  in  our  sienite  were  obviously  produced  in  the  mode  last 
mentioned :  for  we  find  that  lateral  slides,  sometimes  of  considerable 
extent,  have  taken  place  along  the  course  of  the  vein  ;  and  this  could 
not  probably  have  been  done  till  after  a  considerable  degree  of  indu- 
ration. 

No  substance  is  so  common  in  the  veins  of  our  sienite  as  epidote. 
Yet  the  veins  of  this  description  are  far  less  conspicuous  than  oth- 
ers, because  they  are  so  thin.  Often  they  are  easily  mistaken  for 
mere  seams.  The  epidote  is  commonly  very  compact  and  resembles 
greenish  compact  feldspar  :  it  has  not,  however,  the  toughness  of  that 
mineral,  and  it  melts  rather  easily  before  the  blowpipe  into  a  black 
enamel.  Sometimes  the  epidote  of  these  veins  is  semicrystalline  and 
well  characterised.  I  think  that  the  lateral  slides  in  the  sienite  men- 
tioned above,  occur  more  frequently  in  connection  with  these  epidote 
veins  than  with  any  other. 

The  other  substances  composing  veins  in  our  sienite,  are  granite, 
feldspar,  and  quartz.  The  granite  is  most  common  :  though  generally 
feldspar  is  greatly  in  excess,  and  frequently  no  mica  is  present.  Hence 
the  vein  by  a  slight  change  becomes  entirely  feldspar,  ordinarily  of  a 
reddish  hue.  In  one  instance  only,  which  has  been  already  mentioned 
under  porphyry,  a  vein  two  or  three  feet  wide  consisted  entirely  of 
compact  feldspar.  The  quartz  veins  are  frequently  hollow  and 
abound  in  delicate  crystals  of  the  same  mineral. 

By  far  the  most  instructive  exhibition  of  the  veins  that  have  been 
described,  occurs  in  Whately,  a  mile  or  two  a  little  west  of  south  from 
the  congregational  meeting  house.  I  subjoin  a  few  sketches  of  those 
that  struck  me  as  particularly  interesting. 

58 


458  Scientific  Geology. 


"jsr 

Veins  in  Sienite  :     Whately. 

The  above  sketch  represents  an  area  about  10  feet  long  and,  6  feet 
wide,  aa,  is  a  fine  grained  granite  vein  an  inch  wide  at  the  upper 
end,  and  decreasing  downward:  Z>,  another  granite  vein  of  fine  grain, 
one  foot  wide:  c,  a  similar  one  of  equal  width:  d  is  a  fissure,  or  rather 
an  epidote  vein. 

aa,  is  obviously  the  oldest  vein;  for  it  is  cut  off  by  b,  and  this  again 
by  c.  Hence  we  have  here  granite  and  sienite  of  four  epochs:  1st  the 
rock  of  sienite  itself :  2d  the  vein  a:  3d  the  vein  b,  protruded  subse- 
quently :  and  4th  the  vein  c,  injected  last  of  all.  At  what  epoch  the 
vein  d  cut  off  a,  a,  we  have  no  means  of  ascertaining ;  only  that  it  was 
previous  to  the  formation  of  the  vein  c,  since  this  is  not  affected  by  the 
lateral  slide  apparent  in  a,  a. 

Macculloch  says  that  "  there  have  been  granites  found  where  a 
vein  of  a  third  granite  traversed  a  vein  of  a  second  and  different  one, 
which  had  previously  traversed  the  mass  of  a  first."*  The  preced- 
ing sketch  proves  a  fourth  production  of  granite :  for  there  can  be 
no  doubt  but  the  sienite  of  Whately  is  a  variety  of  granite.  But  if 
the  suggestion  above  made,  relating  to  the  successive  production  of 
different  granite  veins,  while  yet  the  rock  which  they  traverse  was  in 
a  fluid  or  semi-fluid  state,  be  admitted;  we  need  not  suppose  any  long 
interval  between  the  formation  of  these  veins.  However,  I  do  not 
place  confidence  enough  in  the  suggestion  to  make  it  the  foundation 
of  any  important  inference. 

The  rock  in  the  following  sketch  is  about  15  feet  long,  d,  d,  d,is 
a  vein  of  feldspar,  two  inches  wide  at  its  western  extremity :  but  it 
ramifies  at  the  other  end  and  almost  disappears,  a,  b,  c,  are  veins  of 
epidote,  on  each  side  of  which  the  sienite  has  become  indurated  so  as 

*  System  of  Geology.  Vol.  1.  p.  503. 


Veins  in  Sienite.  459 

present  ridges  on  the  surface  of  the  rock  an  inch  or  two  in  width  ;  the 
epidote  being  a  mere  line  in  thickness.  These  veins  have  cut  off  the 
feldspar  vein  and  produced  an  echellon  movement  of  the  central  part. 
e  is  a  nodule  of  some  other  rock  enclosed  in  the  sienite  and  cut  off  by 
the  feldspar  vein. 


Veins  in  Sienite :    Whately. 

We  have  here  only  two  successive  formations  of  granite,  though 
the  epidote  veins  were  protruded  at  a  third  epoch.  And  the  lateral 
movement  of  the  sienite  by  these  veins,  indicates,  it  seems  to  me,  thac 
although  the  rock  was  consolidated  at  the  surface,  yet  not  probably  to 
any  great  depth,  when  these  epidote  veins  were  injected ;  otherwise  I 
cannot  conceive  how  such  a  movement  could  have  been  produced. 
A  slight  heaving  of  the  waters  of  a  stream  would  break  and  produce 
various  slides  in  the  ice  on  its  surface  when  it  was  quite  thin :  but  let 
the  river  be  frozen  nearly  to  the  bottom,  and  such  movements  would 
be  produced  with  great  difficulty. 

The  following  sketch  was  formerly  inserted  in  the  6th  volume 
of  the  American  Journal  of  Science  :  but  such  a  curious  succession 
of  echellon  movements  have  been  produced  in  the  granite  veins  a,  a, 
&c,  b,  b,  &c.  by  the  epidote  veins  d,  d,  &c,  that  I  thought  it  deserved 
a  place  here.  The  sides  of  the  rock  represented  are  about  4,  6  and 
10  feet,  c  is  a  fragment  of  some  stratified  rock  imbedded  in  the  sienite 
and  cut  through  by  the  vein  b.  The  width  of  the  granite  vein  va- 
ries  from  one  to  2  1-2  inches. 


460  Scientific  Geology. 

a    A  d,         a- a 


Veins  in  Sienite  :    Whately. 

It  is  easy  to  conceive  how  the  detached  portions  of  these  two  gran- 
ite veins  might  be  brought  into  alignment,  (to  continue  the  allusion 
above  made  to  military  manoeuvres,)  but  how  they  could  have  been 
thrown  into  their  present  position,  except  when  the  rock  was  in  a 
fluid  state,  I  am  unable  to  conceive.  And  yet  there  must  have  been 
consistence  enough  in  the  veins  to  prevent  their  being  diffused 
through  the  sienite.  Does  not  this  example  lend  some  plausibility  to 
the  suggestion  that  has  been  made,  relative  to  the  protrusion  of  veins 
while  yet  the  rock  was  in  a  partially  fluid  state  ?  Or  must  we,  in  or- 
der to  explain  such  a  case  as  the  present,  suppose  a  second  fusion  of 
the  rock  ? 

Geological  Position  of  Sienite. 

I  am  not  aware  that  any  of  the  sienite  of  Massachusets  can  be  prop- 
erly called  an  overlying  rock :  that  is,  I  have  found  no  example 
where  it  lies  above  other  rocks.  On  one  side  it  usually  passes  by  in- 
sensible gradations  into  granite,  and  on  the  other  into  greenstone  or 
porphyry  :  Or  when  these  rocks  are  wanting,  some  of  the  stratified 
rocks,  such  as  hornblende  slate,  graywacke,  or  new  red  sandstone, 
repose  upon  it.  At  least  this  is  the  impression  I  have  received  from 
all  the  examinations  which  I  have  made  of  our  sienite ;  although  I 
cannot  refer  to  particular  spots  where  these  various  rocks  are  brought 
into  the  relations  that  have  been  described.  The  low  level  at  which 
our  sienite  is  placed,  has  caused  it  to  be  very  much  covered  with  di- 
luvium, so  as  to  hide  its  junction  with  other  rocks.  Yet  in  all  cases 
where  this  rock  occurs,  we  find  it  between  the  oldest  granite  and 
greenstone,  or  the  earlier  stratified  rocks.  Hence  I  infer  that  a  por- 
tion of  the  materials  of  which  granite  is  composed,  under  certain  cir- 
cumstances were  converted  into  sienite,  and  that  these  circumstances 
existed  generally  in  that  portion  of  the  melted  granite  nearest  the 


Minerals  in  Sienite.  461 

newer  stratified  rocks.  Or  if  we  suppose  it  erupted  at  a  different 
epoch  from  the  granite,  certain  causes  always  forced  it  upwards  be- 
tween the  granite  and  the  newer  rocks.  Or  if  we  suppose  it  to 
have  resulted  from  the  melting  down  of  the  stratified  rocks,  then  per- 
haps their  more  or  less  perfect  fusion  produced  the  difference  which 
we  find  between  granite  and  sienite.  But  more  of  this  last  sugges- 
tion in  the  sequel. 

Mineral  Contents. 

The  limits  between  sienite  and  granite,  as  well  as  between  sienite 
and  greenstone,  are  so  vague  and  unsettled,  that  it  is  not  always  easy 
to  ascertain  to  which  of  these  rocks  minerals  described  by  different 
writers  belong ;  since  in  such  a  case  geologists  will  be  apt  to  give  dif- 
ferent names  to  the  same  rock.  Genuine  sienite,  I  mean  that  which 
is  best  characterised,  is  in  Massachusetts  rather  barren  .of  simple  min- 
erals :  not  quite  so  much  so,  however,  as  porphyry.  By  far  the  most 
common  mineral  is  epidote  ;  whose  characters  and  mode  of  occur- 
rence I  have  pointed  out.  The  sienite  used  for  architectural  purposes 
from  the  vicinity  of  Boston,  contains  less  of  this  mineral  than  any  oth- 
er variety  in  the  state. 

There  is  an  interesting  variety  in  the  feldspar  of  this  rock.  In 
Beverly  a  few  years  since,  a  considerable  quantity  of  green  feldspar 
was  obtained  from  a  rock  near  the  center  of  the  place.  The  bronze 
coloured  feldspar  of  Cape  Ann  has  been  already  described,  and  that 
which  is  of  a  lilac  colour  in  Hingham.  In  Charlestown  a  variety  oc- 
curs in  which  the  prisms  exhibit  stripes  of  various  colors,  and  some 
have  proposed  for  it  the  name  taenite,  on  account  of  its  resemblance 
to  a  ribbon.  On  Holyoke  and  Tom  I  have  described  a  variety  of  trap 
in  which  this  mineral  presents  a  similar  appearance.  According 
to  Professor  Webster,  hypersthene  occurs  in  the  sienite  of  Hingham 
along  with  hornblende.  Amethyst  is  said  to  exist  in  the  same  rock 
in  that  place. 

In  the  sienite  of  Beverly,  fluate  of  lime  and  zircon  have  been  found  ; 
and  the  former  mineral  in  the  rolled  masses  of  this  rock  in  Seekonk. 
In  that  of  Charlestown  Prof.  Nuttall  discovered  arragonite.  Preh- 
nite,  according  to  Prof.  Webster,  of  superior  excellence,  is  found  there 
in  the  sienite :  and  that  gentleman  has  recently  informed  me,  that  he 
has  discovered  in  the  same  rock  very  superior  specimens  of  chabasiu 
and  laumonite. 

The  veins  of  quartz  abounding  in  delicate  crystals  in   the   sienite 


462  Scientific  Geology. 

of  Northampton  and  Whately,  have  been  mentioned.  Associated 
with  these,  I  have  sometimes  found  a  mineral  crystalized  in  four 
sided  prisms,  which  I  have  been  disposed  to  refer  to  red  oxide  of  tita- 
nium. The  best  place  for  obtaining  these  minerals,  particularly  the 
quartz,  is  in  Whately,  about  two  and  a  half  miles  south  of  the  meet- 
ing-house. Some  of  the  drusy  surfaces  of  this  quartz  present  a  curi- 
ous pseudomorphous  appearance.  (No.  1369,)  It  is  precisely  such 
an  appearance  as  would  result  from  making  random  cuts  in  the 
quartz,  while  in  the  state  of  a  paste,  with  a  thin  bladed  knife.  Obvi- 
ously it  has  proceeded  from  the  infiltration  of  the  quartz  around  some 
mineral  in  thin  plates,  originally  occupying  the  cavities  and  subse- 
quently decomposing. 

Following  the  eastern  margin  of  this  sienite  about  a  mile  south  in- 
to Hatfield,  from  the  locality  last  mentioned,  we  find  a  vein  of  sulphate 
of  baryta,  from  one  to  four  feet  wide,  running  by  the  magnetic  needle 
W.  22  1-2°  N.  and  dipping  about  90°.  This  baryta  is  the  gangue  of 
sulphuret  of  lead,  blende,  and  pyritous  copper.  It  has  been  excavated 
several  feet  and  the  quantity  of  baryta  thrown  out  is  immense. 

Theoretical  Considerations. 

Sienite  is  very  rarely  found  in  Massachusetts  in  continuous  veins  in 
other  rocks  like  granite  and  greenstone.  Sometimes,  however,  as  I 
have  formely  stated,  it  penetrates  sienite  of  a  different  variety,  or 
greenstone,  in  so  many  directions  and  in  such  large  quantity,  that  the 
rock  so  penetrated  is  divided  into  numerous  fragments  forming  a  kind 
of  breccia.  Even  in  these  cases,  the  sienite  which  thus  forms  veins, 
contains  but  little  hornblende.  Upon  the  whole  the  argument  in  fa- 
vor of  the  igneous  origin  of  sienite  from  the  mechanical  or  chemical 
effects  of  its  veins,  is  comparatively  feeble. 

In  the  conglomerated  sienite  which  has  been  described,  however,  I 
think  we  have  a  peculiar  and  forcible  argument  in  favor  of  the  form- 
er fusion  of  this  rock  by  heat.  Some  other  theoretical  inferences 
also  result  from  the  facts  in  this  case,  which  will  need  more  minute  de- 
tails than  have  yet  been  given. 

I  have  frequently  observed  this  variety  of  sienite  in  the  eastern  part 
of  the  state.  But  there  the  nodules  are  so  much  changed  in  their 
characters  that  they  seem  to  be  only  a  variety  of  sienite.  It  is  in  the 
valley  of  the  Connecticut  that  the  most  interesting  and  striking  facts 
on  this  subject  are  developed  ;  and  in  that  valley  Whately  is  the  place 
that  most  particularly  claims  attention.  The  following  imperfect 


Origin  of  Sienite.  463 

sketch  will  give  an  idea  of  the  situation  of  the  conglomerated  sienite 
there.  It  is  the  northern  point  of  a  range  extending  through  Hatfield 
and  Northampton  southerly :  and  it  here  abuts  against  a  limited  de- 
posit of  hornblende  slate,  whose  strata  run  nearly  N.  E.  and  &  W. 
as  a,  a,  and  stand  nearly  perpendicular  to  the  horizon. 

This  slate  is  succeeded  on  the  west  by  mica  slate  b,  b,  b,  which  in- 


deed, sometimes  alternates  with  the  hornblende  slate.     On  the  eastern 
side  d,  d,  d,  the  sienite  and  the  slate  are  covered  by  the  diluvium  and 
new  red  sandstone  of  the  valley  ofthe  Connecticut.     The  sienite  and 
hornblende  slate  are  elevated  not  more  than   100  or  200  feet  above' 
the  general  level  of  that  valley :  but  directly  west  of  these  rocks  the 
mica  slate  rises  more  rapidly  into  ridges  of  much     greater  elevation, 
forming  the  eastern  margin  of  the  broad  range  of  Hoosac  mountain. 
Now  I  have  been  led  by  an  examination  ofthe  spot  just  described, 
(whose  length  is  3  or  4  miles  and  breadth  less  than  one,)  to  conclude 
that  the  sienite  was  formed  by  the  melting  down   of  the   hornblende 
slate.     I  infer  this  chiefly  from  the  fact  that  this   rock,  as   has   been 
described,  contains     nodules    of  this  slate,  appearing   as   if  round- 
ed not  by  mechanical  attrition  but  by  heat.     Why  it  should  happen 
that  the  fusion  of  this  slate  should  give  rise  to  the  production  of  feld- 
spar, we  may  not  be  able  fully  to  understand.     And  yet,  if  we  suppose 
the  hornblende  slate  to  be  composed  of  hornblende,  mica  and  quartz, 
as  it  sometimes  is  in  Whately,  or  that  it  alternates  with  mica  slate,  as 
it  does  there,  we  shall  have  in  the  materials  melted  down,  all  the  es- 
sential  ingredients  of  feldspar,  viz.  silex,  alumina,  and   potassa.     A 
certain  degree  of  heat  may  be  all  that  is  necessary  to  enable  these  el- 
ements to  enter  into  the  new  combination  that  is  necessary  to  the  pro- 
duction of  feldspar.     At  any  rate,  I  think  I  am  not  mistaken  in  the 
fact,  that  as  the  imbedded  nodules  in  the  slate  approach  more  nearly 


464  Scientific  Geology. 

to  sienite  in  their  characters,  and  recede  farther  from  those  of  slate, 
the  greater  the  quantity  of  feldspar.  What  can  this  circumstance  re- 
sult from,  but  from  the  greater  degree  of  heat  to  which  such  nodules 
have  been  subject  ?  Their  losing  in  so  great  a  degree  the  slaty  charac- 
ter proves  that  they  have  been  more  nearly  melted. 

Another  circumstance  lends  in  my  opinion  a  plausibility  to  the  pre- 
ceding suggestions.  Towards  the  northern  extremity  of  the  horn- 
blende slate  above  described,  and  at  least  a  mile  distant  from  the  sien- 
ite, we  find  the  slate  composed  of  compact  feldspar  and  hornblende  ; 
and  its  schistose  structure  almost  obliterated.  There  is  also  a  tend- 
ency in  the  rock  to  divide  into  columnar  and  rhomboidal  forms.  Now 
in  these  facts  we  see,  it  seems  to  me,  the  effects  of  a  heat  sufficient  to 
produce  a  partial  fusion  of  the  rock,  but  not  an  entire  obliteration  of 
the  slaty  structure :  sufficient  for  the  production  of  feldspar,  but  not 
for  its  crystalization.  All  this  indicates  a  source  of  heat  of  great  pow- 
er at-  a  small  depth  where  probably  genuine  sienite  exists. 

There  is  another  fact  which  I  have  noticed  in  one  portion  of  this 
sienite,  that  lends  still  farther  support  to  these  views.  Two  miles 
south  of  the  spot  where  the  sienite  and  slate  meet,  I  observed  the 
traces  of  an  obsolete  stratification  in  the  former  rock,  running  in  the 
same  direction  as  the  basset  edges  of  the  slate.  There  is  no  actual 
division  of  the  sienite  into  parallel  portions,  but  only  the  marks  of  a 
former  division  by  a  sort  of  segregated  ridges.  The  existence  of 
the  nodules  of  slate  in  the  sienite  proves  that  the  fusion  of  the  rock 
was  never  complete  ;  and  in  these  faint  traces  of  original  stratification 
do  we  not  see  evidence  of  the  same  fact ;  and  in  the  coincidence  of 
direction  between  the  strata  of  hornblende  slate  and  these  marks, 
have  we  not  presumptive  evidence  of  the  origin  that  I  have  imputed 
to  the  sienite. 

These  various  facts  and  inferences  have  led  my  own  mind  to  make 
another  inquiry  ?  Do  we  not  here  see  the  reason  why  one  part  of  a 
deposit  is  sienite  and  another  part  granite ;  that  is,  a  rock  destitute  of 
hornblende  ?  When  the  fusion  of  a  rock  is  complete  and  the  heat  car- 
ried to  a  certain  degree,  may  not  the  production  of  hornblende  be- 
come impossible,  because  those  affinities  and  polarites  operate  that 
produce  other  minerals,  especially  feldspar  and  mica  ?  The  sienite 
in  the  valley  of  the  Connecticut  at  least,  occupies  a  position  generally 
between  the  granite  and  the  newer  stratified  rocks.  And  if  we  sup- 
pose the  heat  to  have  been  greater  at  the  time  of  the  production  of 
these  rocks  in  proportion  to  the  depth  beneath  the  surface,  it  is  obvi- 


Granite.  465 

ous  that  it  must  have  been  greater  where  the  granite  was  produced 
than  where  the  sienite  is  now  found.  For  even  if  we  do  not 
suppose  the  sienite  to  have  resulted  from  the  fusion  of  stratified 
rocks,  yet  the  proximity  of  its  materials  to  these  rocks  must 
have  greatly  reduced  the  temperature  of  these  materials:  and  if 
the  stratified  rocks  were  melted  to  form  it,  still  more  certainly 
would  such  be  the  result.  Whether  the  position  of  sienite  in  other 
parts  of  the  world  is  similar  to  that  in  the  place  under  consideration  I 
know  not ;  nor  can  I  say  whether  that  in  the  eastern  part  of  Massa- 
chusetts will  throw  any  light  upon  these  speculations. 

This  suggestion  as  to  the  ground  of  difference  between  sienite  and 
granite,  derives  some  support  from  the  great  scarcity  of  crystalized 
minerals  in  the  former  compared  with  those  in  the  latter.  I  can  imag- 
ine no  cause  for  this  difference  so  probable  as  a  more  or  less  perfect 
fusion  of  the  materials.  The  history  of  porphyry  leads  the  mind  to 
the  same  conclusion. 

These  hypothetical  views  I  am  aware  are  new.  But  I  have  been 
led  to  form  them  from  the  facts  that  ha\e  been  detailed;  and  if  they 
are  thought  by  geologists  to  deserve  consideration,  I  hope  that  facts 
derived  from  other  deposits  of  sienite  and  granite  will  be  brought  to 
light,  to  prove  their  fallacy  or  correctness. 

18.    GRANITE. 

Having  included  under  sienite  all  those  unstratified  granitic  com- 
pounds which  contain  hornblende  as  a  constituent,  the  definition  of 
granite  becomes  easy.  It  is,  indeed,  the  common  definition,  which 
makes  it  to  consist  of  quartz,  feldspar  and  mica.  Dr.  Macculloch  adds 
hornblende:  but  it  seems  to  me  that  this  destroys  the  usual  distinction 
between  granite  and  sienite.  Granite  may,  indeed,  contain  dissemin- 
ated crystals  of  hornblende,  as  of  garnet,  pinite,  or  any  other  min- 
eral ;  but  if  the  quantity  of  this  hornblende  is  so  great  that  it  must  be 
regarded  as  a  regular  constituent  of  the  rock,  I  do  not  know  why  it 
should  not  take  the  name  of  sienite,  unless  we  should  merge  all  sien- 
ite in  granite :  and  to  this  I  have  no  objections.  I  can  conceive,  in- 
deed, how  the  geological  relation  of  granite  with  hornblende,  may  be 
such  to  granite  without  hornblende,  that  it  would  be  preposterous 
to  attempt  to  separate  them :  but  I  know  of  no  such  case  in  Massa- 
chusetts. Here  sienite  occupies,  as  we  have  seeen,  a  constant  geolo- 
gical position  in  respect  to  the  granite  about  to  be  described. 
59 


466  Scientific  Geology. 

Miner alogical  Characters. 

1  Common  Granite.  This  variety  embraces  nine  tenths  of  the 
granite  in  Massachusetts.  All  those  compounds  of  quartz  feldspar 
and  mica  are  included  in  it,  which  differ  only  in  the  size  of  the  ingre- 
dients, in  the  greater  or  less  perfection  of  their  crystalline  structure,, 
and  in  their  color.  In  these  respects  they  do  differ  almost  infinitely, 
as  may  be  seen  by  the  numerous  specimens  from  various  parts  of  the 
state  in  the  collection.  (Nos.  1372  to  1461.)  Generally  the  quartz 
is  gray,  sometimes  smoky ;  sometimes  blue,  and  sometimes  yellow. 
The  feldspar  is  ordinarily  yellowish  white;  sometimes  green,  as  in 
Southbridge ;  sometimes  blue,  as  in  Leverett ;  sometimes  tinged  with 
purple,  as  in  Palmer ;  and  more  often  flesh  colored,  as  in  the  coarse 
granite  found  in  Blanford,  Westfield,  Amherst,  &c,  and  in  the  finer 
grained  granite  in  the  southeast  part  of  the  state.  The  mica  is  more 
commonly  of  a  silver  color ;  sometimes  of  a  straw  or  gold  yellow,  or 
greenish ;  sometimes  of  a  brown  color ;  sometimes  black  ;  sometimes 
rose  red  ;  and  sometimes  it  is  prismatic,  as  in  Russell  and  Norwich. 

In  magnitude  the  ingredients  vary  from  that  of  masses  one  and 
even  two  feet  in  diameter,  to  those  so  small  that  they  can  be  distin- 
guished but  with  difficulty  by  the  naked  eye.  Those  granites  that 
possess  a  fine  grain  are  the  only  varieties  that  are  employed  for  archi- 
tectural purposes.  The  coarsest  varieties  are  generally  found  in 
veins. 

2.  Pseudomorphous  Granite.     This  is  a  variety  that  exhibits  a 
structure  so  peculiar,  that  I  have  thought  it  deserves  a  distinct  notice. 
Suppose  the  quartz  and  feldspar  requisite  to  form  a  coarse  granite  to  be 
united  into  a  solid  mass.   Suppose  the  mass  to  be  now  penetrated  in  va- 
rious directions  by  the  blade  of  a  thin  knife,  and  the  cavities  thus  pro- 
duced to  be  filled  by  plates  of  mica  not  more  than  one  fiftieth  of  an  inch 
thick.  Although  these  plates  would  form  solid  angles,  they  would  not 
intersect  one  another;  and  so  it  is  in  the  rock.  The  smallest  fragments 
of  the  quartz  and  feldspar  are  often  separated  by  the  mica ;  but  I  have 
never  seen  one  plate  of  that  mineral  intersect  another.     The  solid  an- 
gles which  these  plates  form  in  the  quartz  and  feldspar,  however,  ap- 
pear like  the  projecting  angles  of  crystals,  andhence  I  have  applied  to 
this  granite  the  term  pseudomorphous.     The  mica  is  usually  of  a  deep 
bronze  colour  and  often  the  plates  are  four  or  five  inches  across. 
(No.  1462.) 

3.  Porphyritic  Granite.     (Nos.  1463  to  1470.)     In  this  variety, 
besides  the  ingredients  composing  the  mass  of  the  rock,  and  which 
are  quartz,  feldspar  and  mica,  distinct  imbedded  crystals  of  feldspar 


Varieties  of  Granite.  467 

are  superadded.  In  Europe  the  basis  of  this  rock  is  said  to  be  fine 
grained :  but  in  Massachusetts  it  is  more  commonly  rather  coarse 
grained. 

Perhaps  the  most  remarkable  porphyritic  granite  in  the  state  oc- 
curs in  place  in  the  west  part  of  Harvard.  (No.  1465.)  It  is  a 
gray  rather  coarse  granite  with  white  feldspar,  and  the  imbedded 
crystals  are  often  two  inches  across ;  and  being  white,  they  give  to 
the  rock  a  striking  appearance  ;  and  it  has  actually  been  mistaken  by 
some  writers  for  a  conglomerate ! 

In  Chester  a  large  protruding  mass  of  granite  in  the  west  part  of 
the  town  is  porphyritic.  The  imbedded  crystals  are  much  less  than 
those  just  described,  and  of  a  gray  color.  The  rock  resembles  por- 
phyritic gneiss ;  but  lacks  both  the  laminar  and  ^stratified  structure. 
(No.  1463.) 

Probably  a  part  of  the  rock  which  I  have  described  as  porphyritic 
sienite  in  the  south  east  part  of  the  state,  as  in  Abington,  N.  Bridg- 
water,  Fair  Haven,  &c,  may  more  properly  be  regarded  as  granite. 
Indeed,  as  this  rock  is  usually  destitute  of  hornblende,  perhaps  the 
whole  should  be  regarded  as  granite. 

A  very  peculiar  porphyritic  granite  occurs  in  the  argillaceous  slate 
of  Guilford  Vt.  just  without  the  limits  of  Massachusetts.  I  should 
have  described  this  rock  as  a  porphyry,  were  it  not  obviously  a  gran- 
ite that  has  been  partially  fused.  We  can  easily  trace  the  gradations 
from  the  perfect  granite  to  a  rock  composed  of  compact  feldspar  and 
imbedded  masses  of  quartz.  (Nos.  1467  to  1470.)  At  first  we  per- 
ceive nothing  peculiar,  except  that  the  granite  exhibits  occasional 
spots  of  feldspar  of  nearly  a  milk  white  color,  and  a  little  indistinct- 
ness in  the  foliated  structure  of  the  feldspar.  At  length  the  feldspar 
becomes  nearly  all  compact,  and  the  mica,  reduced  in  quantity, 
is  disseminated  in  the  mass  as  well  as  the  quartz.  Finally  the  feld- 
spar is  perfectly  compact  and  only  grains  of  quartz  appear  in  it.  The 
rock  now  begins  to  assume  a  slaty  structure,  and  seems  in  fact  to  be  ar- 
gillaceous slate  that  has  undergone  a  kind  of  fusion.  The  granite  in 
this  case  is  fine  grained  and  would  form  a  beautiful  stone  for  architec- 
tural purposes. 

It  may  be  seen  by  the  specimen  No.  1 455.  that  the  granite  from 
the  quarries  in  Pelham  N.  Hampshire,  exhibits  a  porphyroid  aspect, 
similar  to  that  just  described.  But  I  have  not  visited  the  locality  and 
cannot  say  whether  all  the  circumstances  above  described  exist  in 
that  place. 

4.  Graphic  Granite.     (Nos.  1471  to  1480.)    In  this  variety,  which 


468 


Sc u1  ntlfic  Geology. 


consists  of  quartz  arid  feldspar  only,  the  ingredients  are  usually  in 
lengthened  prisms,  so  that  the  cross  fracture  presents  the  appearance 
of  written  characters.  It  is  the  Pegmatite  of  the  French  geologists. 
Dr.  Macculloch  thinks  it  occurs  exclusively  in  veins.  But  that  is  not 
the  case  in  this  country,  unless  every  protruding  mass  of  granite  be 
regarded  as  a  vein.  In  the  coarser  varieties  of  our  granite,  a  portion 
of  the  mass — generally  a  small  proportion — is  graphic :  and  there 
is  no  well  marked  line  of  distinction  between  the  varieties.  This  is 
particularly  the  case  in  respect  to  the  pseudomorphous  granite,  so 
common  in  Conway,  Goshen,  Williamsburgh,and  Westhatnpton.  In 
Goshen  a  few  years  since,  I  found  a  specimen  which  afforded  so  per- 
fect an  example  of  the  graphic  arrangement  in  this  rock  that  1 
thought  it  deserved  to  have  its  surface  copied. 


Range  and  Extent  of  Granite.  469 

Topography  of  Granite. 

Probably  there  is  not  a  town  in  Massachusetts  in  which  more  or 
less  of  granite  does  not  occur,  either  in  situ,  or  as  bowlders.  And  no 
rock  is  probably  so  generally  known  as  this  :  though  the  term  is  often 
very  loosely  applied. 

To  begin  with  the  eastern  part  of  the  State  :  It  will  be  seen  by  the 
map  that  granite  lies  between  the  sienite  on  one  side,  and  mica 
slate  and  gneiss  on  the  other,  nearly  across  the  Stute  ;  from  Andover 
to  R.  Island.  Generally  this  granite  is  coarse,  and  it  forms  no  hills 
of  much  altitude.  Obviously  it  has  been  powerfully  abraded  by  cur- 
rents of  water.  In  elevation  it  is  intermediate  between  the  greenstone 
on  one  side,  and  the  gneiss  on  the  other;  that  is,  as  we  pass  from  the 
coast  westward,  we  gradually  ascend ;  rising  slightly  from  the  alluvi- 
um to  the  graywacke  ;  still  more  as  we  come  upon  the  greenstone  and 
the  sienite ;  still  more  to  reach  the  granite,  and  still  more  in  the  re- 
gion of  gneiss.  The  height  of  land  between  the  ocean  and  Connect- 
icut river,  is  not  attained  till  we  pass  west  of  the  valley  of  Worcester. 
A  glance  at  the  sections  accompanying  this  Report  will  render  these 
statements  obvious.  (Plates  XVII  and  XVIII.) 

The  southern  part  of  the  range  of  granite  above  spoken  of,  is  fine 
grained  and  passes  into  sienite,  especially  in  Rhode  Island.  In  the 
vicinity  of  Providence  it  is  extensively  wrought  for  architectural  pur- 
poses. The  splendid  columns  of  fine  grained  white  granite  in  the 
Arcade  in  that  city,  were  obtained  from  a  quarry  in  Johnstone,  5 
miles  northwest  of  Providence.  "  They  are  twelve  in  number,"  says 
Dr.  Webb,  "cut  out  of  solid  blocks,  21  feet  long,  3  feet  in  diameter  at 
the  base,  and  weigh  1 1  tons  each.  It  required  1 1  yoke  of  oxen  to 
draw  each  one  into  town.  It  is  calculated  that  it  would  have  taken 
one  man  upwards  of  six  months,  to  have  wrought  one  of  these  col- 
umns. The  stone  for  the  first  five  locks  of  the  Providence  and  Wor- 
cester canal,  was  also  obtained  from  this  quarry." 

The  broad  deposit  of  granite  marked  between  Narraganset  and 
Buzzard  Bays,  consists  chiefly  of  the  common  varieties.  Much  of  it 
is  extremely  coarse.  But  in  some  places,  as  at  Fall  River  in  Troy, 
the  grain  is  fine  and  the  rock  well  adapted  to  architecture.  Along 
the  western  border  of  this  range  the  rock  appears  in  place  in  great 
abundance  ;  but  as  we  pass  easterly,  the  surface  is  almost  entirely 
covered  with  bowlder  stones,  mostly  of  granite.  On  its  northern 
margin,  however,  where  we  approach  the  graywacke,  the  loose  blocks 


470  Scientific  Geology. 

of  this  latter  rock  are  so  accumulated  upon  the  granite,  and  the  coun- 
try is  so  nearly  level,  that  it  is  impossible  to  ascertain  the  limits  of 
the  two  rocks.  As  we  go  easterly  into  the  region  of  the  Middlebor- 
ough  ponds,  the  difficulty  increases ;  and  I  have  put  down  an  exten- 
sive patch  of  diluvium  in  that  quarter  on  this  account.  In  the  vicinity 
of  New  Bedford  and  Rochester  the  same  difficulty  has  perplexed  me 
in  ascertaining  the  limits  between  granite  and  gneiss.  Nor  shall  I 
be  disapointed  if  the  lines  which  I  have  finally  settled  upon  shouV1 
need  material  alteration. 

It  will  be  seen  that  I  have  connected  the  Fall  River  range  of  gran- 
ite on  the  east,  with  the  sientic  granite  in  Cohasset,  Hingham,  <^*c. 
Two  facts  have  led  me  to  do  this.  In  the  first  place,  as  we  pass  from 
Marshfield  through  Pembroke,  Plympton,  and  Carver,  to  Wareham, 
we  do  occasionally  meet  with  a  ledge  of  granite :  and  secondly  the 
bowlder  stones  are  nearly  all  granite.  It  will  be  seen,  however,  that 
a  great  part  of  this  region  I  have  marked  as  diluvial. 

The  map  will  show,  also,  that  I  have  extended  a  strip  of  granite 
from  Plymouth  into  Barnstable  county  as  far  east  as  Brewster,  and 
carried  another  branch  into  Falmouth.  These  ranges  follow  the 
highest  ridges  in  the  south  part  of  Plymouth  and  in  Barnstable  coun- 
ties. And  although  in  no  part  of  these  ridges,  with  one  or  two  excep- 
tions, have  I  found  rocks  in  place,  yet  such  is  the  size  and  number  of 
the  bowlders  as  to  satisfy  me  that  they  have  never  been  far  removed 
from  the  parent  rock ;  and  I  cannot  but  believe  that  ledges  do  exist  a 
little  below  the  surface  ;  and  not  improbably  in  some  places,  which 
have  not  fallen  under  my  notice,  they  may  be  found  at  the  surface. 
Where  first  Cape  Cod  commences,  and  nearly  half  way  between 
Sandwich  and  Falmouth,  appearances  are  peculiarly  indicative  of 
granite  ledges  :  and  they  continue  nearly  to  the  village  of  Falmouth. 
As  we  go  eastward  they  are  less  striking,  until  we  reach  the  town  of 
Brewster,  where,  as  I  have  shown  under  diluvium,  there  is  reason  to 
suppose  the  shattered  crest  of  a  ledge  appears. 

I  am  aware  that  it  would  have  been  accordant  with  truth  to  have 
colored  the  whole  of  Cape  Codas  diluvial.  But  my  rule  has  been 
not  to  exhibit  that  stratum  when  I  could  ascertain  the  rocks  beneath 
it.  Others  must  judge,  whether  the  evidence  of  the  existence  of  gran- 
ite in  place  in  the  region  under  consideration,  is  probable  enough  to 
justify  me  in  the  course  I  have  taken. 

That  gneiss  range  in  the  central  parts  of  the  State,  which  lies  east 
of  the  Worcester  mica  slate,  abounds  in  veins  and  protruding  masses 


Range  and  Extent  of  Granite.  47 1 

of  granite :  but  I  have  thought  it  useless  to  attempt  to  represent  them 
on  the  map.  My  opinion  is,  that  in  going  easterly  the  granite  in- 
creases in  quantity  until  the  gneiss  and  mica  slate  at  length  disap- 
pear. 

The  Worcester  range  of  mica  slate  contains  numerous  large  beds 
or  protruding  masses  of  granite ;  some  of  them  of  great  interest,  on 
account  of  their  adaptedness  to  architectural  purposes.  It  must  not 
be  expected,  however,  that  in  all  cases  a  deposit  of  granite  will  be 
found  in  the  precise  place  where  one  is  marked  on  the  map,  in  this 
mica  slate.  In  Worcester  the  spot  thus  coloured  is  intended  to  mark 
out  the  true  situation  of  an  interesting  deposit  of  granite :  the  only 
one  which  I  have  discovered  in  the  southern  part  of  the  mica  slate. 
The  spot  in  Harvard,  also,  represents  a  deposit  of  remarkable  por- 
phyritic  granite.  In  Westford,  Lowell,  and  Tyngsborough,  the  spots 
coloured  as  granite,  indicate  only  that  numerous  masses  protrude  in 
that  vicinity.  In  Pelham,  N.  H.,  I  intended  to  mark  the  bed  which 
is  now  extensively  quarried.  In  Pepperell,  Townsend,  and  Lunen- 
burg,  I  intended  only  that  the  beds  marked  should  stand  as  the  repre- 
sentatives of  numerous  veins  and  masses  in  those  towns.  The  same 
is  particularly  true  of  the  spots  marked  in  Leominster  and  Westmin- 
ster. In  passing  from  the  former  to  the  latter  place,  granite  is  very 
abundant :  and  the  mica  slate,  sometimes  for  a  considerable  distance, 
disappears.  A  spot  marked  in  the  south  part  of  Fitchburg,  is  intend- 
ed to  designate  the  large  hill  of  granite  that  furnishes  so  fine  a  build- 
ing stone  in  that  town. 

Except  in  the  northwest  part,  I  have  colored  no  spot  as  granite  in 
the  extensive  range  of  gneiss  in  Worcester  county.  That  it  exists 
elsewhere  I  doubt  not:  as  on  the  top  of  the  hill  in  Spencer,  where 
one  sees  the  granite  obviously  protruding  through  the  pseudo-gneiss 
strata:  But  I  believe  that  much,  which  in  that  range  has  been  called 
granite,  is  nothing  but  granitic  gneiss.  It  is  only  after  long  experi- 
ence in  examining  these  rocks,  that  the  difference  is  perceived  between 
granitic  gneiss  and  real  granite. 

In  the  northwest  part  of  this  gneiss  range,  especially  in  the  lower 
part  of  N.  Hampshire,  we  find  the  gneiss  changing  into  mica  slate, 
with  occasional  masses  of  considerable  extent  of  fine  grained  granite, 
generally  excellent  for  economical  purposes.  The  beds  of  granite 
and  mica  slate  which  are  there  marked,  are  not  intended  to  represent 
the  exact  relative  position  and  quantity  of  the  three  rocks,  but  only  to 


472  Scitntiftc  Geology. 

show  that  such  a  succession  of  strata  is  found  there,  and  that   the  mi- 
ca slate  and  granite  occupy  a  large  proportion  of  the  surface. 

The  narrow  range  of  granite  extending  from  Amherst  to  the  north 
line  of  the  Sute,  occupies  an  intermediate  level  between  the  alluvial 
bottom  of  the  Connecticut  valley,  and  the  high  ridge,  of  gneiss  bound 
ing  that  valley  on  the  east.  It  is  an  extremely  coarse  granite,  and 
for  the  most  part  occurs  in  the  form  of  veins  or  irregular  masses  in 
mica  slate  and  gneiss.  And  in  some  places  these  rocks  very  much 
predominate  and  we  lose  sight  of  the  granite. 

The  patch  marked  as  granite  in  the  agillaceous  slate  of  Guilford, 
Vt.,  has  been  described  in  giving  the  mineralogical  characters  of  this 
ock.  I  would  add,  that  the  beds  are  somewhat  numerous,  although 
but  one  is  represented  on  the  map.  The  deposit  in  Chester  has  al- 
so been  described.  The  range  extending  from  Con  way  into  Connec- 
ticut, alone  remains  to  be  noticed.  This  occupies  the  space  between 
the  sienite  on  the  east,  and  the  mica  slate  on  the  west.  More  or  less 
of  the  slate  is  intermixed  with  it  through  its  whole  extent ;  and  on  the 
west,  and  towards  the  south,  this  slate  abounds  and  predominates. 
The  strips  of  mica  slate  running  into  the  granite,  are  intended  merely 
to  indicate  the  fact  that  they  do  thus  penetrate  it,  rather  than  to  give 
an  exact  representation  of  the  particular  places  where  this  takes  place. 

For  the  most  part  the  granite  of  this  range  is  very  coarse.  Not  un~ 
frequently,  however,  very  coarse  and  very  fine  granite  are  associated. 
In  the  granite  patch  extending  from  Norwich  to  Chesterfield,  (and 
which  implies  only  that  beds  are  frequent  in  that  region,)  the  rock  is 
coarser  than  any  that  I  have  found  in  the  state  j  the  plates  of  mica 
being  sometimes  a  foot  or  a  foot  and  a  half  across.  It  is  these  coarse 
granite  veins  that  are  most  prolific  in  minerals  of  an  interesting  char 
acter. 

For  the  most  part  this  granite  range  occupies  a  low  level :  or  rath- 
er it  is  intermediate  between  the  lowest  and  the  highest  of  the  rocks 
on  the  western  side  of  Connecticut  river.  Some  of  the  granite  hills  in 
Conway,  Williamsburg,  Whately,  and  West  Hampton,  rise  higher 
than  any  others  of  the  same  rock  in  the  state.  Their  altitude,  how- 
ever, is  only  a  few  hundred  feet ;  and  is  far  inferior  to  the  hills  of 
mica  slate  lying  immediately  to  the  west. 

Upon  the  whole,  all  the  granite  of  Massachusetts  lies  remarkably 
low  in  respect  to  other  rocks ;  and  one  cannot  avoid  the  inference 
when  he  examines  its  situation  in  almost  all  cases,  that  the  abrasion 
of  the  stratified  rocks  may  have  brought  the  granite  to  light. 


Apparent  Stratification  of  Granite.  473 

In  the  conglomerate  of  the  new  red  sandstone,  at  the  south  end  of 
Sugar  Loaf  mountain  in  Deerfield,  many  of  the  nodules  consist  of  a 
delicate  variety  of  flesh  coloured  graphic  granite.  Whence  it  origi- 
nated I  am  unable  to  conjecture. 

Pseudo- Stratification  of  Granite. 

I  have  met  with  but  one  distinct  example  of  this  peculiar  structure 
in  the  State  :  but  it  is  a  case  of  peculiar  interest.  It  occurs  in  the 
patch  of  granite  marked  in  Worcester.  It  occupies  the  hill,  200  or 
300  feet  high,  a  little  northeast- of  the  village.  The  rock  is  compos- 
ed almost  entirely  of  gray  quartz  and  white  foliated  feldspar,  with 
very  little  mica,  and  hardly  differs  from  the  sienite  of  Cape  Ann  and 
Quincy;  although  entirely  destitute  of  hornblende.  It  is  quarried 
in  various  places  on  the  sides  and  the  top  of  this  hill,  and  in  several 
cf  the  excavations  it  exhibits  a  very  distinct  stratification.  It  is  also 
crossed  by  numerous  seams,  nearly  perpendicular  to  the  horizon,  not 
having  any  uniform  direction  ;  and  generally  the  apparent  strata  do 
not  correspond  on  opposite  sides  of  the  seams.  This  seems  to  result 
from  their  elevation  or  depression  on  the  opposite  sides.  I  satisfied 
myself,  however,  that  the  pseudo-strata  conform  on  all  sides  nearly  to 
the  slope  of  the  hill,  being  horizontal  at  the  apex,  and  extending  over 
the  sides  like  the  coats  of  an  onion.  If  this  be  a  fact,  it  shows  conclu- 
sively that  this  hill  of  granite  is  an  enormous  concretion.  The'  con- 
centric layers,  however,  do  not  extend  to  every  part  of  the  hill :  and 
this  fact  proves  that  there  is  no  real  stratification  in  the  rock. 

Phenomena  of  Veins  and  Irregular  Protruding  Masses  of  Granite. 

The  only  modes  in  which  I  have  met  with  granite  in  Massachu- 
setts are  those  of  veins  and  protruding  masses.  In  some  instances  reg- 
ular masses  with  parallel  planes  are  seen  between*  the  strata  of  other 
rocks ;  and  on  a  superficial  view,  seem  interstratified.  But  careful 
examination  has  always  shown  me,  that  such  masses  either  cross  the 
strata  in  a  slight  degree,  or  contract  and  expand  like  veins :  and 
seem  indeed  to  be  veins  coinciding  nearly  with  the  strata  of  the  con- 
tained rock  in  direction.  I  can  hardly  say  that  I  have  met  with  gra- 
nite as  an  overleying  rock ,  though  a  few  cases,  which  will  be  des- 
cribed farther  on,  exhibit  this  rock  in  a  near  approach  to  such  a  con- 
dition. 

60 


474  Scientific  Geology. 

• 

The  veins  of  granite  in  Massachusetts  penetrate  only  the  older 
rocks;  the  clay  slate heing  the  latest  in  which  they  are  found.  All 
the  older  stratified  rocks  abound  in  them ;  though  in  quartz  rock  I 
have  rarely  met  with  any.  In  gneiss  they  are  very  common,  espe- 
cially in  the  gneiss  range  east  of  the  Worcester  county  mica  slate: 
also  in  the  vicinity  of  New  Bedford  :  and  in  the  southern  part  of  the 
gneiss  range  in  Hampden  and  Berkshire  counties.  Mica  slate  is 
penetrated  by  them  and  broken  up  by  protruding  masses  of  granite, 
at  almost  every  step,  in  the  granite  range  on  the  west  of  Northampton, 
particularly  in  the  towns  of  Westfield,  Blanford,  Russell,  Chester, 
Norwich,  Williamsburgh,  West  Hampton,  Goshen,  Chesterfield, 
Whately,  and  Conway.  In  talcose  slate  they  are  very  rare :  In 
hornblende  slate  not  common  :  in  micaceous  limestone  sometimes 
met  with :  in  serpentine  I  have  never  found  one.  In  granite  and  si- 
enite  they  are  very  abundant :  and  almost  always  the  ingredients  are 
much  coarser  than  the  granite  or  sienite  that  contains  them. 

For  8  or  10  years  past  I  have  been  in  the  habit  of  taking  rough 
sketches  of  those  spots  which  I  have  met  with,  where  granite  veins 
and  protruding  masses  exhibited  any  peculiarity  which  I  supposed 
might  be  interesting  to  geologists.  Of  these  cases  I  shall  now  give 
an  account.  I  doubt  not  but  a  very  great  number  besides  these  might 
be  discovered  by  careful  research.  But  to  search  them  out  requires 
a  great  deal  of  labor  and  patience. 

It  ought  tobepremised,  that  in  a  large  majority  of  cases,the  intrusion 
of  granite  veins  seems  to  have  produced  very  little  disturbance  in  the 
rocks  containing  them.  They  would  seem  to  have  been  open  fissures 
filled  by  the  injection  of  granitic  matter,  without  materially  affecting 
the  walls,  except  to  unite  with  them  chemically.  And  the  same  is  true 
to  some  extent  in  regard  to  irregular  masses  of  granite:  that  is,  we  do 
not  always  see  any  alteration  in  the  dip  and  direction  of  the  strata  in 
the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  granite.  Yet  in  such  case  we  usually 
find  not  far  distant,  an  irregularity  in  the  position  of  the  stratified 
rock. 

In  giving  the  details  which  follow,  it  will  not  be  easy  to  state  before- 
hand any  definite  order  that  will  be  adopted.  The  most  that  I  shall 
attempt  will  be  to  bring  into  juxta-positon  those  cases  that  are  analo- 
gous. 

The  sketch  below  represents  the  manner  in  which  the  edges  of  the 
mica  slate  lie  in  contact  with  a  protruding  mass  of  granite  in  the 


Protrusions  of  Granite. 


475 


south  part  of  Con  way.*  At  a,  the  slate  runs  north  and  south  and 
dips  east :  at  b,  it  dips  south :  at  c,  west ;  and  at  d,  southeast.  The 
sketch  embraces  an  extent  of  only  a  few  square  rods. 


(1)        Junction  of  Granite  and  M.  Slate ;  Conway. 

No.  2.  exhibits  a  similar  case  near  the  village  of  Blanford,  close 
by  the  road  to  Granville.  The  mica  slate  here  runs  nearly  north  and 
south,  and  dips  80°  west  :  except  at  the  end  of  the  mass  of  granite, 
where  the  dip  is  nearly  north,  about  70°  or  80°. 


(2)     Junction  of  Granite  and  M.  Slate ;  Blanford. 

The  following  case  I  noticed  in  the  west  part  of  Leominster  ;  where 
the  numerous  veins  and  masses  of  granite  in  the  mica  slate,  and  the 
great  confusion  obvious  in  the  latter,  made  me  desirous  to  spend  more 
time  in  examining  the  surrounding  region  than  I  was  able  to  do. 

*  In  all  the  following  cases  the  uncolored  part  of  the  sketch  represents  gran- 
ite ;  except  that  in  a  few  cases  (ex.  gr.  No.  9.)  irregular  lines  arc  drawn  to  rep- 
resent the  irregular  divisions  of  granite, 


476 


Scientific  Geology. 


West 


East 


(3)  Junction  of  Granite  and  Mica  Slate  ;  Westminster. 

At  b,  a  mass  of  coarse  granite  occupies  the  top  of  a  hill  of  consid- 
erable altitude.  As  we  approach  the  road,  descending  from  the  hill, 
the  granite  is  mostly  concealed  by  diluvium.  At  a,  however,  mica 
slate  appears  running  nearly  east  and  west.  A  few  rods  to  the  west 
at  d,  it  runs  nearly  north  and  south ;  which  is  the  usual  direction  of  the 
slate  in  that  region.  What  but  the  disturbing  force  of  the  granite 
could  have  turned  the  mass  a,  nearly  90  degrees. 

No.  4  exhibits  a  protruding  mass  of  coarse  granite  20  or  30  rods 
long  in  mica  slate.  The  slate  does  not  seem  to  be  disturbed.  It  has 
an  easterly  dip  of  about  80°.  -The  sketch  was  taken  in  the  northwest 
part  of  Norwich. 


(4)  Protruding-   Mass  of  Granite   in  Mica  Slate.     Norwich. 

The  following  sketch  was  taken  near  the  road  from  Norwich  to 
Chester  village,  a  little  after  we  begin  to  descend  the  high  hill  on 
which  Norwich  stands.  Over  many  acres  in  that  place  the  mica  slate 
and  granite  are  mixed  in  the  greatest  confusion  :  but  I  could  sketch 
only  limited  patches,  and  of  course  it  is  scarcely  possible  to  give  a 


Protrusions  of  Granite.  477 

correct  view  of  all  the  disturbance  that  has  taken  place.  The  sketch 
below  embraces  a  space  about  8  rods  long  and  3  rods  wide,  e,  g,  h, 
are  protruding  masses  or  veins  of  granite,  a,  b,  c,  d,  show  the  bas- 
set edges  of  mica  slate.  At  a,  its  strata  run  nearly  north  and  south 
and  dip  rather  less  than  45°  to  the  west :  which  is  the  usual  dip  and 
direction  in  the  vicinity.  At  b  and  c,  the  strata  are  turned  so  as  to 
run  nearly  northeast  and  southwest ;  but  the  dip  is  increased  only  a 
few  degrees.  At  d  they  are  still  more  wheeled,  and  the  dip  is  as 
high  as  60°  or  70°. 


(5)    Granite  and  Mica  Slate  ;  Norwich. 

The  next  case  is  at  the  same  place,  and  embraces  a  space  about  16 
rods  long,  a,  a,  b,  n,  n,  m,  m,  are  veins  of  granite  from  one  to  two 
feet  wide,  and  c,  a  mass  10  feet  wide.  A  large  mass  also  lies  on  the 
side  d,  d.  At  A,  the  mica  slate  is  deflected  only  a  few  degrees  from 
the  usual  course  of  its  strata,  which  is  nearly  north  and  south.  The 
dip  there  is  45°  northwest.  But  in  every  other  part  of  the  sketch,  it 
will  be  seen  that  the  mica  slate  is  turned  almosl  at  right  angles  to  its  usu- 
al course,  and  towards  the  lower  part  of  the  sketch  it  exhibits  most  re- 
markable curvatures.  The  dip  also,  is  in  general  greatly  increased; 
so  that  in  the"  vicinity  of  e,  it  is  80°  north. 

I  feel  the  inadequacy  of  such  sketches  to  convey  a  just  idea  of  the 
very  great  confusion  which  this  spot  exhibits.  But  if  any  one  can 
examine  such  places  and  still  maintain  that  granite  was  not  forced  up 
through  the  slate  while  in  a  fused  state,  I  can  only  say  that  his  mind 
must  view  facts  in  a  very  different  light  from  my  own. 


478 


Scientific  Geology. 


I 


(G)    Granite  and  Mica  Slate  ;   Norwich. 


The  section  below  was  taken  at  the  same  place  as  the  two  preceding 
sketches.  It  shows  an  irregular  vein  or  mass  of  granite  protruding 
through  layers  of  mica  slate.  The  granite  mass  is  only  two  or  three 
feet  wide,  and  the  mica  slate  four  feet.  It  is  obvious  that  the  upper 
portion  of  the  slate  has  here  been  forced  upwards  by  the  granite,  so 
as  to  stand  nearly  perpendicular :  the  general  dip  being  about  45° 
west.* 


(7)    Granite  Vein  in  Mica  Slate  ;  Norwich. 

In  the  northwest  part  of  Norwich  I  sketched  No.  8.  Two  beds  or 
veins  of  granite  are  here  shown:  the  central  one,  or  that  between  the 
strips  of  mica  slate,  from  6  to  10  feet  wide,  and  the  outer  one,  which 
is  but  partly  exhibited,  4  or  5  rods  wide.  One  object  1  have  in  view, 
is  to  show  the  curvature  of  the  mica  slate,  where  the  central  mass  of 


*  This  sketch  is  badly  engraved.     The  dip  of  the  layers  of  slate   ought    to   de- 
crease nearly  one  half,  where  it  is  farthest  from  the  granite. 


Protrusions  of  Granite. 


479 


granite  expands.  But  the  principal  object  is  to  show  two  sections  a- 
cross  these  rocks,four  rods  apart.  The  change  in  the  dip  from  80°  west, 
to  80°  east,  on  the  section  from  A  to  B,  is  striking  ;  and  is  explicable 
alone  on  the  supposition  of  a  disturbing  force  exerted  by  these  huge 
masses  of  granite. 


The  section  below  (No.  9.)  crosses  from  west  to  east,  a  ridge  of 
mica  slate  and  granite,  about  four  rods  wide.  The  stratum  a,  at  its  low- 
er part,  dips  easterly  about  25°  or  30°;  which  is  the  usual  dip  of  the 
slate  in  the  vicinity;  but  the  upper  part  of  this  stratum  is  thrown  up 
nearly  perpendicular ;  resting  against  the  granite.  This  granite,  b,  is 
3  or  4  rods  across;  when  we  find  another  stratum  of  the'slate,  c,  hav- 
ing an  easterly  dip  of  nearly  50°.  Below  this  another  mass  of  granite, 
d,  appears ;  but  it  is  soon  hid  by  the  soil.  Locality,  near  the  line  be- 
tween Conway  and  Williamsburg. 


(9)     Granite  and  Mica  Slate  ;  Conway. 
No.  10  is  in  the  town  of  Russell,  on  the  road  from  West  field  to  Blan- 


480 


Scientific  Geology. 


ford.  It  represents  a  perpendicular  ledge  about  20  feet  square,  where 
mica  slate  and  granite  come  in  contact.  The  layers  of  the  slate  are 
perpendicular,  and  this  rock  is  chemically  united  to  the  granite.  It 
is  easy  to  conceive  how  the  two  rocks  should  be  thus  wedged  into 
each  other,  if  we  admit  that  the  granite  was  erupted  while  in  a  melted 
state ;  but  I  am  unable  to  imagine  any  combination  or  peculiarity  of 
circumstances,  by  which  such  a  case  can  be  explained  on  the  theory 
of  the  aqueous  origin  of  granite. 


(10)    Junction  of  Granite  and  M.  Slate  ;  Russell. 

'The  next  case  I  regard  as  one  of  peculiar  interest ;  chiefly,  how- 
ever, on  account  of  its  locality.  It  is  not  in  Massachusetts :  but  in 
Ackworth  N.  Hampshire,  at  a  remarkable  locality  of  beryls,  rose 
quartz,  and  crystalized  mica.  As  the  traveler  approaches  this  spot, 
he  will  observe,  while  yet  several  miles  distant,  a  remarkable,  conical, 
half  naked  peak,  chiefly  of  white  granite,  shooting  up  about  300  feet 
above  the  surrounding  country.  This  is  the  hill  repfesented  below, 
as  seen  on  its  northwestern  side ;  along  which  a  road  passes.  The 
prevailing  rock  in  the  vicinity  is  gneiss ;  but  in  this  elevation  it  is 
cheifly  hornblende  slate,  traversed  by  an  enormous  granite  vein  a,  and 
exhibiting  at  least  two  protruding  masses,  b  and  c,  of  granite.  The  vein 
varies  from  one  half  to  four  rods  in  thickness,  and  the  mass  b,  is  four 
or  five  rods  across  :  c  is  only  10  feet  wide.  The  general  direction  of 
the  laminae  of  the  slate  is  north  and  south,  and  the  dip  from  15  to  20° 
east :  but  we  have  here  the  most  decisive  marks  of  its  having  been  irreg- 
ularly upheaved  and  disturbed  by  the  protruding  granite.  Near  the  foot 
of  the  hill  the  slate  is  bent  upwards  so  that  the  chord  of  the  curve  is  sev- 
eral rods  long.  But  it  is  a  curious  fact  that  the  axis  of  the  elevating 
force  seems  not  to  have  coincided  with  the  direction  in  which  the 
vein  was  erupted.  For  the  highest  point  of  the  curve  of  elevation, 


Phenomena  of  Granite    Veins.  481 

near  the  foot  of  the  hill,  is  to  the  right  of  the  vein  at  h ;  and  as  we 
ascend  the  hill,  we  find  the  slate  curved  upwards  near  the  vein  more 
and  more,  as  is  shown  in  the  drawing.  Indeed,  the  granite  of  the 
vein  seems  to  lie  on  the  elevated  edges  of  the  slate  :  so  that  the  lower 
side  of  the  vein  dips  southeasterly :  and  does  not  cut  the  slate  per- 
pendicularly. These  facts  would  seem  to  evince,  that  the  vein  made 
its  way  through  the  slate,  not  along  the  line  of  greatest  pressure  but 
on  the  north  side  of  it;  probably  because  the  slate  there  yielded  most 


(11.)  Veins  and  Masses  of  Granite  in  Hornblende  Slate  ;  Ackworth,  N.  H. 

readily.  We  may  suppose  the  melted  granite  below,  to  have  gradu- 
ally elevated  the  slate,  until  at  length  it  burst  its  way  laterally  through 
that  rock.  Such  cnses,  I  believe,  do  sometimes  occur  in  existing  vol- 
canoes. 

The  masses  of  granite  /;,  arid  c,  are  probably  other  examples  in 
which  the  same  molten  matter  burst  its  way  laterally  through  the 
slate.  And  it  is  an  interesting  fact  in  regard  to  the  mass  b,  that  in 
some  places  it  still  projects  over  the  slate  several  feet,  forming  in  fact 
an  overlying  mass.  Instances  of  this  kind  I  have  rarely  met  with  in 
the  granite  of  N.  England.  I  recollect  but  one  case  precisely  re- 
sembling this ;  and  that  is  in  the  town  of  Carlisle,  about  two  miles 
west  of  the  meeting-house,  near  an  unfrequented  read  ;  where  the 
granite  has  spread  over  mica  slate  several  feet.  But  the  sketch  of 
that  spot  I  have  unfortunately  lost. 

The  following  sketch,  however,  which  I  took  several  years  ago, 
appears  to  have  a  resemblance  to  those  just  described;  especially  to 
61 


482 


Scientific  Geology. 


that  of  the  vein  a,  in  Ackworth,  although  I  did  not  then  examine  the 
case  as  carefully  as  I  should  now.  It  occurs  two  miles  north  of 
Chester  village  in  Chester.  The  granite  mass  is  several  rods  wide, 
and  the  dip  of  the  mica  slate  on  each  side  of  it,  about  50°  degrees 
west. 


(12)  Granite  in  Mica  slate  Chester  ; 

In  the  eighth  volume  of  the  American  Journal  of  Science,  Dr.  Em- 
mons  has  described  an  interesting  case  of  overlying  granite  in  Chester, 
with  veins  proceeding  from  it  downwards.  The  mass  is  5  rods  in 
length. 

A  portion  of  the  hornblende  slate  (on  No.  1 1 )  is  seen  running 
nearly  east  and  west,  or  at  right  angles  to  the  usual  direction.  Be- 
low the  granite  mass  b,  also,  the  strata  are  shifted  almost  90°. 

It  is  near  the  apex  of  this  hill,  that  the  interesting  minerals  above 
mentioned  occur,  and  on  the  side  of  the  apex  opposite  to  that  represen- 
ted. The  granite  here  is  the  coarsest  I  have  ever  seen  :  and  proba- 
bly the  largest  beryls  in  the  world  are  found  in  it. 

No.  13.  exhibits  the  manner  in  which  mica  slate  is  sometimes  en- 
veloped by  granite  ;  the  latter  rock  decidedly  predominating.  The 
spot  here  represented  is  several  rods  long,  and  occurs  in  Chesterfield, 
a  little  north  of  the  meeting  house.  The  dip  and  direction  of  the 
mica  slate  do  not  differ  much  from  what  is  usual  in  the  vicinity. 


(13)  Granite  and  Mica  slate  ;  Chesterfield. 


The  following  case,  No.  14,   occurs  about  half  a  mile  east  of  the 
meeting  house  in  Williamsbur^h.     A  granite  vein  about  4  feet  wide. 


Phenomena  of  Granite   Veins. 


483 


Granite  Vein  in  Mica  and  Hornblende  Slate. 
Williamsburg-h. 

runs  here  in  the  direction  of  the  strata  of  mica  slate.  The  dark  stra- 
tum a,  a,t  is  hornblende  slate,  or  perhaps  amphibolic  mica  slate  :  and 
it  appears  to  have  been  cut  off  and  separated  laterally  a  few  feet. 
The  upper  mass  of  hornblende  and  mica  slate  is  insulated  in  the 
granite,  the  narrowest  vein  of  granite,  however,  being  only  three  inch- 
es wide. 

No.  15  represents  two  irregular  masses  of  granite  connected  by  a 
vein,  or  rather  by  two  tubercular  masses  of  the  same  rock.  They 
occur  in  hornblende  slate,  two  miles  northeast  of  West  Granville 
meeting  house,  on  the  road  to  Blanford.  The  strata  of  this  slate  usu- 
ally stand  perpendicular.  Where  thus  penetrated  by  granite,  how- 
ever, the  dip  varies  from  70°  to  90°  west ;  and  its  layers  are  exceed- 
ingly contorted.  Their  usual  direction,  also,  is  very  much  altered  in 
some  parts  of  the  sketch.  The  sketch  embraces  a  space  of  several 
square  rods. 


(15)   Granite  in  Hornblende  Slate  :  Granville. 


484 


Scientific  Geology. 


No.  16  exhibits  a  mass  of  granite  three  rods  wide,  with  mica  slate 
on  each  side,  and  embracing  strips  of  mica  slate  from  one  half  inch 
to  six  or  eight  inches  wide.  The  direction  of  the  layers  in  these  in- 
sulated strips  corresponds  with  that  of  the  mica  slate  generally  in 
the  vicinity  :  viz.  a  north  and  south  direction.  This  case  occurs  in 
Chesterfield,  one  mile  east  of  the  meeting  house,  on  the  road  to 
Northampton.  It  is  easy  to  explain  it  on  the  supposition  that  the 
granite  was  erupted  from  beneath  in  a  melted  state  :  but  I  find  it  hard 
to  conceive  how  such  effects  could  have  resulted  from  aqueous  agency. 


(16)  Mica  Slate  in  Granite  :  Chesterfield. 

The  sketch  below  represents  a  nearly  perpendicular  ledge  of  gneiss, 
from  70  to  100  feet  high,  in  the  lower  part  of  which  amass  of  granite 
appears,  which  does  not  rise  through  the  strata.  The  gneiss  has  a 
small  dip  to  the  west,  though  somewhat  irregular.  The  vein  of  gran- 
ite is  from  10  to  12  feet  thick,  and  rises  thirty  feet.  The  locality  is  on 
the  north  side  of  Housatonic  river,  near  Southbury,  Ct.  close  by 
what  is  called  Zoar  Bridge. 


Phenomena  of  Granite   Veins. 


485 


(17)  Granite  Vein  in  Gneiss,  Zoar  Bridge,  Ct. 

Nos.  18,  19  and  20  are  representations  of  insulated  masses  of  mica 
slate  and  gneiss  in  large  veins  of  granite.  The  vein  in  No.  18, 
which  is  in  the  north  part  of  Shutesbury,  is  ten  feet  wide,  and  the  in- 
sulated mass  of  gneiss  is  almost  three  feet  across  in  its  longest  direc- 
tion. In  No.  19,  which  is  in -Con  way,  the  vein  is  fifteen  inches  wide 
and  the  mass  of  mica  slate  (which  is  the  rock  traversed  by  the  vein,) 
is  thirty  inches  long.  In  No.  20,  the  imbedded  mass  of  mica  slate  is 
eight  feet  wide  and  ten  feet  high  ;  the  layers  standing  perpendicular, 
and  coinciding  with  those  of  the  mica  slate  generally  in  that  place. 
In  all  the  cases  described,  it  seems  impossible  to  doubt  but  the  schis- 
tose rock  is  perfectly  insulated  in  the  granite  j  and  if  so,  does  it  not 
point  to  an  igneous  origin  for  the  granite  ? 


(19)  Mica  Slate  in  Granite 
Conway. 


(18)  Mass  of  Gneiss  in  Granite;  Shutesbury. 


48G 


Scientific  Geology. 


(20)  Mica  Slate  in  Granite  ;  Chester. 

No.  21  differs  but  little  from  the  proceeding  cases.  Two  granite 
masses  appear  to  be  connected  by  two  veins ;  the  widest  of  which  is 
two  feet,  and  the  other  only  six  inches  thick.  Thus  a  piece  of  mica 
slate  is  insulated,  and  both  this  and  the  granite  are  cut  by  a  more  re- 
cent vein  of  granite,  fifteen  inches  wide.  This  case  occurs  three 
miles  northeast  of  the  meeting  house  in  Williamsburgh.  But  I  have 
not  personally  examined  it,  and  am  indebted  to  Mr.  Alanson  Nash 
for  the  sketch. 


(21)   Granite  and  Mica  Slate  ;  Williamsburg-h. 

Veins  of  granite  traversing  granite  are  more  frequent  in  Massachu- 
setts than  in  any  other  rock.  Generally  the  veins  are  composed  of 
much  coarser  materials  than  the  rock  that  contains  them ;  and  by 
this  mark  alone  can  they  be  distinguished,  except  that  sometimes  the 
color  of  the  materials  of  the  vein  and  that  of  the  containing  rock, 
are  different.  The  following  case  occurs  in  the  west  part  of  Whate- 
ly,  and  exhibits  a  mass  of  granite  of  fine  texture,  about  fifteen  feet  long 
and  ten  feet  wide,  with  mica  slate  on  one  side.  The  dark  part  of  the 
drawing  represents  this  granite,  and  the  white  strips  crossing  it  are 
veins  of  coarse  granite.  Must  we  not  suppose  such  veins  produced 


Phenomena  of  Granite.  Veins. 


487 


by  the  injection  of  granitic  materials  through  amass  of  granite  while 
yet  in  a  plastic  state  ? 


(22)  Granite  Veins  in  Granite ;  Whatley 

In  No.  23  a  coarse  vein,  made  up  almost  entirely  of  feldspar,  20 
inches  wide,  traverses  a  rather  coarse  granite.  This  vein  has  been 
cut  off  by  a  fissure  crossing  it  nearly  at  right  angles,  and  the  two 
parts  are  separated  seven  feet.  This  lateral  movement  must  have  ta- 
ken place  after  the  consolidation  of  the  rock.  The  case  occurs  in  the 
extreme  southeast  part  of  Newport,  R.  Island. 


(24)  Granite  Veins  in  Granite  ;  Gay  Head. 
(23)    Granite  Vein  in  Granite  ;Newport,  R.  I. 

No.  24  represents  an  enormous  bowlder  of  granite,  from  20  to  30 
feet  diameter,  lying  at  the  foot  of  the  clay  cliff  at  Gay  Head,  Martha's 
Vineyard,  a,  b,  c,  are  granite  veins  of  the  same  epoch  ;  as  is  proved 
by  their  parallelism.  These  are  all  cut  off  by  a  vein  d,  of  subse- 


488 


Scientific  Geology. 


quent  date,  crossing  them  nearly  at  right  angles.  Here  then  we 
have  granite  of  three  distinct  epochs. 

No.  25  shows  us  granite  of  four  successive  epochs  of  eruption.  It 
is  the  sketch  of  a  bowlder,  20  feet  long  and  10  feet  thick,  lying  in 
West  Hampton.  The  great  mass  of  the  rock  belongs  to  the  first 
epoch.  The  vein  a,  a,  a,  was  produced  at  the  second  epoch.  This 
was  intersected  by  b,  at  a  third  or  subsequent  epoch.  This,  as  well 
as  a,  were  intersected  by  the  vein  c  (and  probably  at  the  same  time  by 
d,)  at  a  fourth  epoch.  The  lateral  removal  of  the  middle  portion  of 
the  vein  a,  seems  to  have  resulted  from  the  intrusion  of  the  veins  b 
and  c,  whereby  the  wedge  shaped  portion  of  the  rock  between  them 
was  crowded  out  of  its  place. 

I  have  heretofore  described  and  sketched  a  case  in  which  a  rock  of 
sienite  (sienitic  granite,)  contains  granite  veins  of  three  subsequent 
epochs.  The  case  now  described  corresponds  to  that,  except  that  the 
base  of  the  one  sketched  below,  is  genuine  granite.  Both  of  them, 
however,  may  be  regarded  as  presenting  us  with  granite  erupted  at 
four  successive  epochs :  and  this  is  the  greatest  number  that  I  have 
ever  met  with. 


(25)   Granite  Veins  in  Granite  ;  W.  Hampton. 

The  next  case  is  one  of  no  peculiar  interest,  hardly  worth  preser- 
ving indeed.  The  sketch  shows  a  vein  of  coarse  granite,  10  inches 
wide,  traversing  a  mass  of  finer  granite,  and  cutting  off  and  remov- 
ing laterally  another  vein  of  coarse  granite,  2  1-2  inches  wide.  It  oc- 
curs in  Southampton,  not  far  from  the  spot  where  an  adit  has  been 
made  in  the  granite  to  reach  a  vein  of  galena. 


Phenomena  of  Gr&mtt  Veui*. 


489 


(26)     Granite  Veins  in  Granite  ;    Southampton. 

No.  27  shows  a  granite  vein  of  a  little  more  than  a  foot  in  width, 
crossing  strata  of  gneiss  obliquely.  After  this  vein  was  injected,  the 
strata  of  gneiss  seem  to  have  slidden  down  so  as  to  cut  off  the 
vein  in  at  least  two  places,  and  near  those  spots  the  vein  is  considera- 
bly reduced  in  size,  as  if  in  a  plastic  state  when  the  disturbance  took 
place  in  the  gneiss. 


(27)    Granite  Vein  in    Gneiss  ;  Shutesbury. 

The  five  next  cases  viz.  28,  29,  30,  31,  and  32,  were  sketched  in 
New  Bedford  and  Fairhaven:  all  but  Nos.  29,  and  31  on  Palmer's 
Island,  in  New  Bedford  Harbour.  They  all  occur  in  gneiss.  No. 
28  is  interesting  chiefly  on  account  of  the  peculiar  form  of  the  vein, 
which  varies  in  width  from  two  feet  down  to  six  inches.  It  exhibits 
the  vein  as  it  appears  on  the  basset  edges  of  the  gneiss  where  ths 
strata  dip  to  the  north  about  35rt. 
62 


490 


Scientific  Geology. 


(28)     Granite  Veins  in  Gneiss  ;  Palmer's  Island ;  N.  Bedford  Harbor. 

The  surface  sketched  in  No.  29  is  nearly  horizontal ;  and  the 
strata  of  gneiss  dip  as  in  the  last  case.  On  one  side  the  direction  of 
the  strata  is  changed,  and  apparently  through  the  influence  of  the 
vein,  as  much  as  10°  or  15°.  The  vein  is  15  inches  wide. 


(29)     Granite  Vein  in  Gneiss  :  At  the  fort  in  Fairhaven. 

No.  30  exhibits  also  the  basset  edges  of  the  gneiss  strata  where 
they  dip  35°  northerly.  A  mass  of  granite,  a,  which  is  several  feet 
wide  where  it  first  appears  above  the  soil,  sends  off  a  very  crooked 
vein  of  six  or  eight  inches  wide,  which  connects  with  another  vein, 
b ;  which  last  vein  also  sends  off  a  narrow  branch.  At  d,  the  edges 
of  the  strata  are  curved  considerably,  obviously  in  consequence  of 
the  granite  in  their  vicinity. 


Phenomena,  of  Granite  Veins. 


491 


(30)     Granite  Veins  in  Gneiss;  Palmer's  Island  ;  N.     Bedford  Harbor. 

In  No.  31,  a  vein  of  granite  about  six  inches  wide,  is  intersected 
by  another  a  foot  wide.  The  strata  of  gneiss  on  one  side  of  the 
last  mentioned  vein  have  also  been  moved  laterally  about  four  inch- 
es ;  so  that  the  seams  do  not  correspond  on  opposite  sides.  I  am 
inclined  to  believe  that  it  is  an  error  in  the  sketch,  that  it  does  not 
show  a  similar  slide  in  the  vein  that  has  been  intersected:  though! 
have  no  rcccollection  on  the  subject.  The  basset  edges  of  the  strata 
are  here  represented. 


(31)     Granite  Veins  in  Gneiss  ;  Fair  Haven. 

No.  32  is  a  nearly  perpendicular  section,  running  nearly  north  and 
south  across  the  strata  of  gneiss,  and  showing  an  irregular  branch- 
ing vein.  The  principal  vein  is  two  feet  wide,  the  branch  about  one 


492 


Scientific  Geology. 


foot.  It  will  be  seen  that  the  general  dip  of  the  strata  is  35o;  and 
that  this  is  increased  to  40°  on  the  lower  side  of  the  vein.  This  is 
one  of  those  cases  which  would  be  apppealed  to  in  proof  that  veins 
were  filled  from  above.  The  disturbance  of  the  strata,  however, 
proves  that  it  was  not  filled  by  crystalization  from  aqueous  solution. 
The  lower  edge  of  the  section  coresponds  to  high  water  mark.  The 
spot  can  be  well  examined  only  in  a  boat. 


(32)  Granite  Vein  in  Gneiss  :  Palmers  Island  N.  Bedford  Harbor. 

No.  33  was  sketched  from  a  bowlder  of  gneiss  in  the  south  part  of 
Tolland.  It  is  traversed  by  a  vein  of  granite  a  foot  wide.  The  only 
object  is  to  show  the  change  in  the  direction  of  the  strata  on  different 
sides  of  the  vein. 


(33)     Granite  Vein  in  Gneiss  ;  Tolland. 

For  No.  34,  taken  in  the  northeast  part  of  Williamsburg,  I  am  in- 
debted to  Mr.  Alanson  Nash,  a,  a,  appears  to  be  the  oldest  vein  of 
granite  in  mica  slate  ;  and  is  only  two  inches  wide  :  b,  b,  is  a  second 
vein;  as  is  proved  by  its  cutting  through  a,  a,  and  is  of  the  same 


Phenomena  of  Granite  Veins. 


493 


width  as  a,  a, :  d,  d,  is  a  third  vein  ;  as  is  proved  by  its  intersecting; 
the  two  first.  It  is  six  inches  wide:  c,  c,  is  a  fourth  vein,  two  inches 
wide,  intersecting  d,  d,  longitudinally,  and  distinguished  from  that  by 
being  of  a  much  coarser  texture.  This  is  a  very  unusual  occurence; 
one  which  I  have  myself  never  seen  ;  and  we  have  here  also  granite  of 
four  epochs ;  so  that  this  example,  if  there  be  no  mistake  in  its  repre- 
sentation, is  a  very  interesting  one. 


(34)    Granite  Veins  in  Mica  slate  ;  Williamsburg. 

In  No.  35  a  large  protruding  mass  of  granite  rises  from  the  soil  at 
the  north  end  of  a  naked  ledge  of  mica  slate,  which  is  two  rods  w7ide, 
as  represented  on  the  sketch;  From  this  mass  of  granite  an  irregular 
vein  proceeds  nearly  in  the  direction  of  the  layers  of  slate,  embrac- 
ing two  or  three  nearly  insulated  strips  of  mica  slate.  I  am  not 
aware  that  any  very  instructive  inference  can  be  derived  from  this 
case,  except  that  it  seems  to  me  impossible  to  impute  to  deposition 
from  water,  a  mass  of  granite  thus  irregularly  intruded  among  the 
mica  slate.  It  occurs  in  the  west  part  of  Whately. 


494 


Scientific  Geology. 


(35)  Granite  Veins  in  Mica  Slate  ;  Whately. 

No.  36  is  situated  near  the  same  spot.  It  represents  the  inclined 
surface  of  a  ledge  of  mica  slate,  through  which  a  granite  vein  of  four 
feet  wide  passes.  This  embraces  three  masses  of  mica  slate  of  con- 
siderable size,  which  are  evidently  separated  entirely  from  the  parent 
rock,  except  one  of  them  nearest  the  upper  side  of  the  sketch.  The 
layers  of  the  mica  slate,  in  the  direction  in  which  the  granite  was 
erupted,  are  obviously  considerably  curved,  as  is  shown  in  the  figure. 

' 


Granite  Vein  in  Mica  Slate  ;  Whately. 


No.  37  represents  a  nearly  perpendicular  ledge  of  mica  slate  in 
Conway,  very  much  contorted,  about  two  miles  southwest  of  the  cen- 
ter of  the  town,  a,  a,  are  strata  of  common  mica  slate :  b,  is  a  stra- 
tum of  amphibolic  mica  slate.  The  whole  surface  exhibited  is  15 
feet  long  and  eight  feet  high.  Through  this  ledge  runs  a  vein 
of  fine  grained  granite  a  foot  wide.  The  object  of  giving  the  sketch 
is  to  show  that  this  vein  has  produced  no  derangement  of  the  mica 
slate  :  for  the  different  varieties  of  that  rock  occupy  the  same  relative 
position  on  the  different  sides  of  the  vein.  Hence  the  vein  was  intro- 
duced subsequently  to  the  consolidation  of  the  slate ;  and  probably  it 


Phenomena  of  Granite  Veins. 


495 


was  injected  into  an  open  fissure.  Hence  too  we  must  be  cautious  in 
imputing  contortions  in  mica  slate,  even  in  the  vicinity  of  granita 
veins,  to  their  eruptive  force. 


Granite  Vein  in  Mica  Slate  ;  Conway. 


No.  38  was  sketched  only  100  rods  northeast  of  the  congregation- 
al meeting  house  in  Conway.  It  represents  two  granite  and  several 
quartz  veins,  in  coarse  micaceous  limestone,  a,  a,  appears  to  have 
been  the  oldest  granite  vein,  and  is  a  foot  wide  on  .the  right  hand  side 
of  b,  b,  and  20  inches  at  the  other  extremity.  This  is  intersected  by 
another  granite  vein,  b,  b,  and  the  two  extremities  are  removed  asunder 
42  inches,  c  is  a  curved  branch  of  this  vein  :  b,  b,  is  from  12  to  18 
inches  wide,  s,  s,  s,  s,  s,  s,  s,  are  quartz  veins,  from  half  an  inch  to  2 
inches  wide,  and  one  of  them  it  will  be  seen,  intersects  both  the  gran- 
ite veins ;  and,  therefore,  these  quartz  veins  appear  to  have  been  of 
posterior  origin  to  both  the  granite  veins,  d,  and  g,  are  masses  of  mi- 
ca slate,  with  which  rock  the  micaceous  limestone,  (that  constitutes 
the  dark  part  in  the  sketch,)  is  interlaminated  in  the  vicinity.  The 
direction  of  the  layers  of  slate  in  the  mass  g,  corresponds  with  that 
of  this  rock  generally  in  the  vicinity :  but  in  what  manner  the  mass 
d,  should  have  been  thrown  at  right  angles  to  this  direction  it  seems 
difficult  to  imagine.  It  is  obvious,  however,  that  these  granite  veins 
have  produced  great  disturbance  in  this  spot. 


496 


Scientific  Geology. 


Granite  Veins  in  Micaceous  Limestone  :  Conway. 


In  the  same  town  and  near  the  same  spot,  may  be  seen  the  original 
of  No.  39.  We  have  here  a  vein  of  granite,  40  inches  wide,  which 
sends  off  two  branches  ;  the  first  at  an  angle  of  20°  and  the  second 
at  an  angle  of  50°.  Both  the  branches  are  18  inches  wide,  and  the 
portion  of  the  vein  which  continues  in  a  direct  course  is  14  inches 
wide.  Intersecting  these  veins  of  granite,  we  find  several  of  quartz, 
whose  width  varies  from  one  inch  to  3  inches  ;  ana1  whose  direction 
corresponds  with  that  of  the  contiguous  layers  of  mica  s^ate.  The 
probability  is  that  these,  like  most  other  quartz  veins,  were  the  result 
of  the  infiltration  of  siliceous  matter  into  fissures  previously  produced 
deccation  or  mechanical  force. 


(39)     Granite  and  Quartz  veins  in  Mica  Slate  ; 
Conway. 


Phenomena  of  Granite  Veins. 


497 


No.  40  is  in  the  same  town.  a-,  a,  is  a  granite  vein  cor- 
responding nearly  in  direction  with  the  layers  of  mica  slate;  the  two 
parts  of  which  are  separated  by  mica  slate  several  feet  and  one  extrem- 
ity is  not  as  wide  as  the  other.  The  two  parts  arealso  shifted  later 
ally  by  the  two  fissures  b,  b.  I  confess  myself  unable  to  give  any 
satisfactory  solution  of  the  anomalies  of  this  case. 

I 


(40)    Granite  Vein  in  Mica  Slate  ;  Conway. 

No.  41  was  sketched  from  a  bowlder  in  Conway,  merely  on  ac- 
count of  the  peculiar  form  of  the  granite  vein  which  traverses  mica 
slate.  The  widest  part  of  the  vein  is  only  an  inch  across,  and  this 
is  reduced  to  half  an  inch  at  the  other  extremity.  I  neglected  to 
sketch  the  direction  in  which  the  layers  of  slate  run. 


(41)     Granite  Vein  in  M.  Slate  ;  Conway. 

No.  42  appears  to  be  an  example  of  the  mechanical  effects  upon  the 

layers  of  mica  slate,  of  a  protruding    vein   of  granite.     It   occurs  at 

Narrymore's  quarry  in  the  west  part  of  Goshen ;  where  the  layers  of 

rnica  slate  are  arranged  with  remarkable  regularity.     The  dip  there 

63 


498 


Scientific  Geology. 


is  about  40°  northerly  :  but  where  a  granite  vein  of  4  feet  wide  (b,) 
protrudes  in  a  nearly  perpendicular  directio'n,  the  strata  of  the  slate 
on  the  lower  side  of  the  vein,  for  the  width  of  8  inches,  (a)  are  bent 
so  as  to  stand  perpendicularly  against  the  vein.  On  the  upper  side 
of  the  vein,  and  immediately  in  contact  with  it,  the  slate  is  hidden  by 
soil :  but  it  appears  again  a  few  feet  distant,  at  c.  This  example  was 
brought  to  light  by  the  quarrymen,  and  as  it  was  sketched  several 
years  ago,  ere  this  they  may  have  destroyed  all  traces  of  it. 


(42)     Granite  Vein  in  M.  Slate  ;  Goshen. 

No.  43  represents  a  vein  of  granite,  only  1-8  of  an  inch  thick,  trav- 
ersing mica  slate  in  Conway,  one  mile  southwest  of  the  congrega- 
tional meeting  house.  Strictly  speaking  it  is  a  bed :  for  it  is  inter- 
laminated  with  the  slate  and  conforms  to  its  tortuosities.  It  is  not 
perhaps  easy  to  conceive  how  such  a  vein  could  have  been  intruded 
between  the  layers  of  the  slate,  on  account  of  its  extreme  thinness. 
Perhaps  it  ought  rather  to  be  regarded  as  one  of  the  layers  of  the 
slate,  produced  in  the  same  manner  as  the  laminae  of  gneiss. 


Granite  Vein  in  Mica  Slate  ;  Conway. 


No.  44  was  sketched  near  the  same  spot.  It  represents  the  edge 
of  a  thick  stratum  of  mica  slate,  whose  dip  is  50°  east :  and  whose  la- 
minae correspond  in  dip  to  the  strata  seams.  Among  these  laminae 
and  running  in  nearly  the  same  direction,  are  three  narrow  and  quite 
irregular  granite  veins,  a- seems  to  have  been  injected  from  below, 
and  has  no  apparent  connection  with  b,  which  would  seem  to  have 
flowed  in  from  above,  c  is  a  third  very  narrow  vein  only  1-4  of  an 
inch  wide,  which  has  no  connection  with  the  others. 

I  have  sketched  this  case,  because  it  seems  more  favorable  than  any 


Phenomena  of  Granite  Veins. 


499 


I  have  met  with,  to  the  old  Wernerian  notion  of  the  filling  up  of  veins 
by  infiltration  from  water.  Yet  there  is  nothing  in  the  case  incon- 
sistent with  the  igneous  origin  of  the  granite  :  for  if  that  rock  was 
originally  in  a  molten  state,  it  would  flow  horizontally  and  down- 
wards through  any  openings  that  were  made  for  it :  and  we  have  on- 
ly to  suppose  that  b  and  c  have  an  unseen  connection  with  a  mass  of 
granite  that  has  been  forced  upward.  And  that  such  a  mass  exists 
in  the  vicinity,  the  vein  a,  having  no  opening  above,  shows  to  be 
probable.  Such  masses  also  appear  at  the  surface  in  the  vicinity. 


(44)  Granite  Veins  in  Mica  Slate  ;  Con  way. 

No.  45  occurs  in  Goshen,  not  more  than  a  mile  or  two  from  No. 
42;  and  it  is  analogous  to  No.  42.  It  may  be  seen  two  miles  west 
of  the  village,  on  the  old  road  to  Cummington,  on  the  margin  of  a 
pond.  It  represents  a  ledge  of  mica  slate  a  few  feet  high,  whose 
strata  dip  from  the  observer,  and  whose  basset  edges  only  appear. 
On  coming  within  30  inches  of  the  mass  of  granite  b,  the  laminae  of 
slate  are  bent  upwards  20°  ;  and  on  the  other  side  of  the  granite,  c.they 
actually  stand  perpendicular  or  even  lean  a  few  degrees  from  the 
granite.  The  width  of  the  protruding  mass  of  granite,  which  is 
partly  hid  by  the  soil,  is  from  three  to  four  feet.  It  is  co  mmon  to  see 
mica  slate  and  other  stratified  rocks  as  much  disturbed  n  the  vicinity 
of  granite  as  this  case  exhibits  :  but  it  is  not  common  to  meet  w.ih  the 
disturbance  on  so  small  a  scale. 


500 


Scientific  Geology. 


Granite  Vein  in  Mica  Slate;  Goshen. 


The  mica  slate  in  the  northwest  part  of  Norwich  is  frequently  very 
regular  in  its  stratification,  dipping  west  80°  :  and  this  is  the  case 
where  No.  46  was  sketched.  A  granite  vein  four  inches  wide  crosses 
the  strata  nearly  at  right  angles,  and  the  edges  of  the  mica  slate 
show  that  the  layers  on  opposite  sides  of  the  vein  have  been  moved  a 
few  inches  laterally.  The  distinctness  of  the  stratification  enables  us 
to  see  this  change  more  easily  than  is  common. 


(46)     Granite  Vein  in  Mica  Slate  :  Norwich. 

Nos.  47  and  48  represents  granite  veins  in  micaceous  limestone  in 
the  west  part  of  Colrain.  They  are  bowlders  of  about  2  feet  in  di- 
ameter, and  the  veins  only  an  inch  or  two  wide.  The  extremely  ser- 
pentine course  of  these  veins  is  the  most  remarkable  circumstance 
about  them.  For  I  could  not  discover  any  cause  that  makes  them 
thus  serpentize.  The  limestone  appears  perfectly  homogeneous 
throughout,  and  is  entirely  destitute  of  any  appearance  of  a  laminar, 
slaty,  or  stratified  structure ;  I  mean  so  far  as  these  specimens  are 
concerned. 


Phenomena  of  Granite  Veins. 


501 


(47)     Granite  Veins  in  Micaceous  Limestone  Colrain. 


(48)     Granite  Vein   in  Micaceous 
Limestone  ;  Colrain. 

I  shall  not  in  this  place  deduce  any  general  theoretical  inferences 
from  the  facts  respecting  granite  veins  that  have  now  been  detailed. 
In  the  sequel.however,  I  miy  refer  to  them  again,so  far  as  they  have 
a  bearing  upon  theory. 

Mineral  Contents. 

In  every  part  of  the  world  granite  is  the  repository  of  very  many 
of  the  most  perfectly  crystalized  minerals :  an  evidence  that  its  ma- 
terials must  once  have  been  most  thoroughly  fluid,  either  by  water 
or  heat.  The  number  of  mineral  species  in  the  granite  of  Massachu- 
setts is  not  quite  as  numerous  as  in  one  or  two  other  rocks  :  yet  it  con- 
tains several  of  the  most  interesting  minerals  in  the  State. 

Sulphate  of  baryta  is  extremely  abundant  in  it;  though  the   most 


502  Scientific  Geology. 

prolific  locality,  — that  in  Hatfield,  —  occurs  in  sienite,  and  has  been 
described.  A  considerable  part  of  the  matrix  of  galena,  blende,  and 
copper  pyrites,  at  the  Southampton  mine,  consists  of  this  mineral. 
The  most  southerly  vein  pf  lead  ore  in  Leverett,  also,  abounds  in  it, 
as  the  gangue  of  the  galena.  And  both  the  metallic  veins  in  that 
place  are  in  granite.  The  baryta  occurs  generally  in  foliated  masses: 
sometimes  in  tabular  crystals.  The  folia  are  sometimes  curved  ;  and 
sometimes,  as  in  Leverett,  the  specimens  are  coarsely  granular.  The 
color  is  uniformly  white. 

Carbonate  of  lime  is  rare  in  granite :  but  in  the  vein  of  metallic 
ores  above  spoken  of  at  Southampton,  we  find  it  in  distinct  crystals; 
sometimes  of  a  delicate  straw  color.  I  have  observed  there  a  dodec- 
aedeon  composed  of  two  six  sided  pyramids  :  a  short  six  sided  prism 
acuminated  by  three  faces  :  also  the  same  with  all  the  solid  angles 
of  the  prism  truncated,  producing  a  trapezoedron.  This  mineral 
more  frequently  is  laminated. 

The  situation  of  the  argentine  in  West  Hampton,  partly  in  the  mi- 
ca slate  and  partly  in  the  granite,  renders  it  proper  to  speak  of  it  as 
belonging  to  either  rock :  but  under  micaceous  limestone  I  have  given 
a  full  description  of  its  geological  position,  and  its  mineralogical 
characters  correspond  so  well  with  those  that  are  given  in  the  books, 
that  nothing  more  need  be  added.  The  locality  cannot  for  a  consid- 
erable time,  if  ever,  be  exhausted  ;  unless  it  should  be  visited  by  some 
of  those  insatiable  collectors,  who  carry  away  specimens  by  the  ton. 
(Nos.  1490,  1491.) 

This  same  mineral  has  been  found  at  the  Southampton  lead  mine. 

At  the  most  northerly  vein  of  galena  and  pryritous  copper  in  Lev- 
erett, T  have  found  a  few  specimens  of  crystalized  brown  spar. 

In  Billerica  and  Stow,  phosphate  of  lime  has  been  found  by  Profes- 
sor Webster  in  very  coarse  granite  :  Also  by  Mr-  C.  T.  Jackson,  in 
the  same  rock  in  Lancaster,  in  connexion  with  spodnmene. 

At  the  Southampton  lead  mine,  green  and  purple  fluate  of  lime  has 
been  found,  but  not  in  large  quantities  :  though  should  this  mine  ever 
be  wrought  extensively,  there  can  be  little  doubt  that  abundance  of  it 
will  be  brought  to  light. 

At  the  same  place  we  meet  with  crystalized  limpid  quartz  in  great 
abundance.  Sometimes  the  crystals  are  penetrated  throughout  by  a  yel- 
low colouring  matter,  so  as  to  form  genuine  yellow  quartz.  Radiated 
quartz  forms  the  greater  part  of  the  gangue  of  the  lead  and  copper 
ores,  in  the  several  veins  of  these  metals  that  have  been  described  as 
existing  in  Hampshire  county,  in  the  first  part  of  this  report.  In 


Minerals  in  Granite.  503 

Chester,  the  quartz  in  this  rock  is  sometimes  rose  red.  In  Goshen 
its  crystals  are  sometimes  of  an  extremely  delicate  smoke  color  ;  and 
in  Williamsburgh,  this  variety  occurs  uncrystalized  in  large  quanti- 
ty, about  two  miles  west  of  the  meeting-house.  In  Bristol,  Rhode  Is- 
land, occur  fine  specimens  of  amethyst ;  which  are  said  to  proceed 
from  the  granite  of  Mount  Hope.  This  locality  a  few  years  since 
promised  something  for  the  lapidary. 

At  the  Southampton  lead  mine  pseudcmorphous  quartz  is  some- 
times met  with.  But  the  most  interesting  locality  is  in  the  galena  vein 
near  the  agentine  locality,  in  West  Hampton.  The-pseudomorphous 
crystals  are  very  perfect,  and  have  the  form  of  hog  tooth  spar,  and  of 
cubic  fluate  of  lime.  These  crystals  are  hollow,  and  generally  are 
drusy  without  and  within.  It  is  now,  however,  very  difficult  to  ob- 
tain specimens,  especially  of  the  variety,  that  has  assumed  the  form 
of  fluorspar.  (Nos.  1501,1502.) 

In  Conway  I  observed  that  some  of  the  quartz  in  coarse  granite 
was  highly  fetid.  The  same  is  found  in  Chester. 

A  mineral  is  sometimes  seen  at  the  Southampton  lead  mine,  which 
appears  to  be  hornstone.  (No.  1502.) 

Finite,  according  to  Mr.  C.  T.  Jackson,  has  been  found  in  granite 
on  George  Hill  in  Lancaster,  and  of  fine  quality. 

In  the  20th  volume  of  the  American  Journal  of  Science,  I  have 
described  a  specimen  of  limpid  topaz  in  granite,  found  upon  the 
White  Hills  in  New  Hampshire.  In  Haddam,  Ct.  it  is  well  known, 
occurs  the  chrysoberyl  in  the  same  rock. 

Spodumene  abounds  in  our  granite.  Goshen  is  its  most  abundant 
locality.  About  two  miles  north  of  the  village,  it  occurs  on  the  road 
to  Ashfield  ;  and  also  about  three  miles  northeast  of  the  center  of  the 
town,  on  the  road  to  Plainfield,  at  a  locality  long  celebrated  for 
furnishing  several  interesting  minerals.  It  is  found  likewise  in  Ches- 
terfield, Norwich,  and  Chester.  In  all  these  places  its  characters  are 
similar.  It  occurs  in  prismatic  masses  whose  crystalline  form  can- 
not be  determined.  These  masses  are  sometimes  four  or  five  inches 
across,  and  sometimes  of  great  length.  Dr.  Dwight  of  Cummington 
showed  me  a  specimen  from  Chesterfield,  containing  a  prism  21  inch- 
es long,  yet  broken  off  at  both  ends.  These  larger  masses  are  com- 
monly of  a  white  or  gray  color,  and  resemble  feldspar.  But  the  smal- 
ler specimens  are  frequently  of  a  delicate  green  color,  resembling  ve- 
ry much  the  spodumene  from  the  north  part  of  Europe.  A  few  spec- 
imens I  have  noticed  of  a  light  rose  color.  (Nos.  1504  to  1507) 


504  Scientific  Geology. 

This  mineral  occurs  also  in  Sterling  in  a  granite  rock.  This 
spodumene  has  more  of  a  pearly  aspect  than  that  in  the  western  part 
of  the  State  ;  as  the  specimens  in  the  collection  will  show.  It  is  also 
of  a  more  milky  white  color.  (No.  1508) 

Dr.  Emmons  is  of  opinion  that  "  the  large  cleaveable  variety"  of 
lepidolite  occurs  in  Goshen.  Probably  he  refers  to  the  mineral  that 
has  been  generally  regarded  as  rose  mica. 

The  varieties  of  mica  in  our  granite  are  numerous  and  interesting. 
The  rose  red  just  referred  to,  has  been  found  only  I  believe  in  the 
northwest  part  of  Goshen,  where  it  sometimes  occurs  in  oblique 
rhombic  prisms ;  which  is  its  primary  form.  In  the  same  place,  also, 
and  likewise  in  the  northwest  part  of  Chesterfield,  at  the  tourmaline 
locality,  a  delicate  yellow  mica  of  various  shades  is  found  under  the 
same  form:  and  still  more  frequently,  a  transparent  or  silver  col- 
ored variety.  But  the  most  remarkable  locality  of  crystalized 
mica  is  in  Ackworth  New  Hampshire:  where  are  found  finer  speci- 
mens, associated  with  beryls  and  rose  quartz,  than  at  any  "other  spot 
in  this  country.  The  crystals  are  distinct  six  sided  tables,disseminat- 
ed  through  gray  quartz,  and  attached  to  fine  grained  feldspar.  They 
vary  in  size  from  half  an  inch  in  diameter  to  an  inch  and  a  half.  I  have 
some  reason  to  fear,  however,  that  this  locality  may  not  prove  very 
prolific. 

Prismatic  mica  is  found  in  Goshen,  Chesterfield,  Norwich,  and 
Leverett.  But  the  specimens  which  I  found  in  Russell  are  the  best. 
(Nos.  1 5 12  to  1514)  The  general  color  of  the  prisms  is  light  smoke 
gray :  but  we  sometimes  see  in  them  distinct  strips,  penetrating  deep 
into  the  specimen,  of  a  very  dark  bronze  color  ;  appearing  black  in- 
deed, except  in  very  thin  plates. 

Plumose  mica  (Mica  fibreux,  Beudant,)  is  quite  common  in  Wil- 
liamsburg,  in  several  places  west  and  north  vvest  of  the  village.  The 
name  is  derived  from  the  resemblance  between  the  arrangement  of  its 
lamellae  and  those  of  a  feather:  which  indeed  is  often  quite  striking. 
,JThe  granite  of  Massachusetts  contains  almost  every  variety  of  the 
schorl  family  that  has  been  found  on  the  globe.  Common  black  schorl 
is  most  abundant.  In  Chesterfield  and  Goshen  its  crystals  are  some- 
times large,  but  generally  quite  imperfect.  In  Norwich  its  crystals 
are  terminated  by  pyramids.  In  Westford,  also,  I  met  with  it  in  small 
very  short  acuminated  crystals.  (No.  1547) 

Of  the  tourmalines  we  have  every  variety,  except  perhaps  the  yel- 
low and  the  white.  Indicolite  occurs  at  the  greatest  number  of  lo- 


Minerals  in  Granite.  505 

calities.  In  Chester  it  is  found  in  large  crystals  :  also  in  connection 
with  the  green  and  red  varieties  in  the  northwest  part  of  Goshen,  as- 
sociated with  several  other  minerals. 

The  most  noted  locality  of  green  and  red  tourmalines  is  in  Ches- 
terfield, on  land  of  Mr.  Clark.  They  are  contained  in  an  enormous 
vein'of  granite  in  mica  slate, which  corresponds  nearly  in  direction  with 
the  layers  of  the  slate.  This  granite  is  crossed  obliquely  by  a  vein, 
varying  in  width  from  six  to  eighteen  inches,  of  smoky  quartz  and 
silicious  feldspar  :  or  rather,  the  quartz  forms  the  central  part  of  the 
vein,  and  the  feldspar  lies  on  each  side  of  the  quartz :  the  green  red 
and  blue  tourmalines,  with  schorl  and  sometimes  beryl,  passing 
through  the  feldspar  and  the  quartz.  This  cross  vein  has  been  laid 
open  from  twelve  to  twenty  feet  by  blasting ;  and  it  is  really,  in  the 
eye  of  a  mineralogist,  a  splendid  object.  I  do  not  see  that  there  is 
any  prospect  that  it  will  soon  be  exhausted ;  although  I  doubt  wheth- 
er as  fine  specimens  are  now  obtained  from  it  as  formerly. 

The  crystals  of  green  tourmaline  and  rubellite  at  this  locality  oc- 
cur in  rounded  prisms,  deeply  striated  longitudinally.  They  have 
been  found  an  inch  in  diameter,  but  generally  they  are  much  less,  and. 
the  red  are  rarely  more  than  one  quarter  of  an  inch  :  sometimes  they 
exhibit  triedral  summits.  It  is  very  common  for  the  rubellite  to  be 
enclosed  in  the  green  crystals,  and  sometimes  a  thin  layer  of  talc  in- 
tervenes between  the  inner  and  the  outer  crystals.  Col.  Gibbs  found 
three  of  the  red  crystals  in  one  instance  aggregated  together,  and  en- 
closed by  one  of  green.  The  green  crystals  also  sometimes  embrace 
indicolite,  and  sometimes  indicolite  encloses  the  green  tourmaline,  as 
may  bes  een  by  the  specimens  Nos.1 521  1522  A  1524,  The  green  tour* 
malines  as  well  as  the  rubellite  are  sometimes  entirely  distinct  from 
each  other  ;  especially  when  they  are  contained  in  the  quartz.  In  some 
instances  I  have  met  with  marks  of  rather  singular  disturbances 
which  took  place  while  the  green  tourmaline  was  crystalizing  in  the 
quartz.  The  quartz  is  fissured  into  somewhat  parallel  laminae,  and 
together  with  portions  of  the  crystal,  has  been  subjected  to  a  sort  of 
echellon  movement,  while  in  some  places  it  has  been  so  compressd  as 
almost  to  disappear.  This  last  circumstance  seems  to  indicate  that 
the  disturbance  took  place  before  the  crystalizatjon  was  completed, 
The  following  sketch  is  intended  to  represent  this  phenomenon 
64 


306  Scientific  Gwlogy. 


Crystal  of  Green  Tourmaline  in  Quartz  ;  Chesterfield. 

The  colors  of  the  tourmalines  in  Chesterfield  are  pretty  uniform: 
but  in  Goshen  they  vary  exceedingly.  The  rubellite  is  rarely  met 
with  there  ;  but  the  indicolite  is  abundant ;  and  this  passes  by  numer- 
ous gradations  into  green  tourmalines.  Of  some  specimens,  indeed, 
it  is  difficult  to  say  whether  they  should  be  regarded  asblue  or  green. 
There  also  we  meet  with  a  yellowish  green  tourmaline,  (No.  ) 

which  is  associated  with  spodumene.  Sometimes  also  I  have  seen 
this  mineral  nearly  brown  and  even  approaching  to  white.  At  Ches- 
terfield the  green  variety  is  opaque  :  but  some  of  its  crystals  at  Goshen, 
penetrating  mica,  are  translucent. 

All  the  common  varieties  of  feldspar  are  of  course  abundant  in  our 
granite.  Its  ordinary  color  is  white.  But  in  Leverett  it  is  blue ;  and 
often  the  folia  are  six  or  eight  inches  across.  In  Goshen  I  have  met 
with  it  slightly  green.  The  siliceous  feldspar,  or  Cleavelandite,  is  found 
as  already  noticed,  at  Chesterfield,  where  it  is  commonly  foliated,  but 
sometimes  coarsely  granular.  At  Goshen  the  same  varieties  occur:  and 
that  which  is  granular  exceedingly  resembles  sacharine  limestone.  In 
Norwich  it  is  found  foliated  and  of  a  light  blue  color.  At  the  other 
localities  it  is  always  white.  Mr.  Andrews,  preceptor  of  New  Salem 
Academy,  finds  it  in  foliated  masses  in  that  town  of  the  same  color. 
It  is  found  also  at  Chester.(Nos.  1535  to  1536. 

Beryls  are  frequently  met  with  in  our  granite:  though  in  general 
they  are  not  very  delicate.  Perhaps  the  most  so  is  a  limped  beryl, 
occurjng  in  Goshen  along  with  spodumene,  &c.  It  is  rarely  distinc- 
ly  crystalized  and  is  full  of  fissures.  Sometimes  it  is  of  a  light  rose 
color.  (Nos.  1525  to  1528  )  In  Norwich  and  Chesterfield  beryls  are 
sometimes  found  of  a  great  size ;  —  at  the  latter  place  a  foot  in  diam- 


Minerals  in  Granite.  507 

eter ;  but  such  crystals  are  irregular  and  devoid  of  beauty.  In  Wil- 
liamsburgh  they  sometimes  occur  smaller,  but  more  valuable.  From 
Pelham  I  have  a  specimen  of  a  greenish  yellcw  Itiyl,  of  considera- 
ble beauty  :  they  are  said  also  to  have  been  found  in  Worthington  : 
and  Dr.  Marshall  showed  me  a  fine  crystal  1 1-2  inch  diameter,  found 
in  the  granite  of  Fitchburg.  In  Stow,  also,  this  mineral  has  been 
found  in  granite. 

It  has  been  stated  that  ioliteis  found  in  the  granite  of  Goshen  :  but 
I  have  never  met  with  it. 

Garnet  is  less  abundant  in  our  granite  than  in  several  of  the  older 
stratified  rocks.  Generally  where  it  does  occur,  it  is  in  quite  small 
crystals  ;  but  it  is  commonly  the  precious  garnet.  •  In  Bedford  it  is 
said  to  be  found  in  large"  and  sometimes  perfect  trapezoidal  crystals. 

If  No.  1529.  do  not  belong  to  the  zeolite  family  of  minerals,  I 
cannot  tell  where  to  refer  it.  I  mean  the  radiated  mineral  upon  fine 
granite  from  Goshen. 

I  believe  that  all  the  veins  marked  on  the  geological  map,  as  well 
as  011  Plate  XVII,  as  lead  veins,  in  Hampshire  County  and  the  south 
part  of  Franklin,  are  either  entirely  contained  in  granite,  or  pass 
from  that  rock  into  mica  slate.  Hence  the  minerals  which  they  con- 
tain may  properly  be  described  in  this  place. 

The  gangue  of  the  most  southerly  vein  in  Leverett  is  sulphate  of 
baryta  and  quartz.  It  is  only  a  foot  or  two  in  width,  and  is  entirely 
in  granite.  It  contains  galena  only.  The  most  northerly  vein  in 
that  town  is  several  feet  wide,  and  is  mostly  in  mica  slate.  It 
contains  galena  and  pyritous  copper  in  nearly  equal  proportion. 

The  vein  in  Southampton,  to  which  I  have  often  referred,  and  which 
has  been  explored  farther  than  any  other  in  the  State,  traverses  gran- 
ite and  mica  slate  ;  and  the  gangue  is  mostly  quartz  with  sulphate  of 
baryta  occasionally.  Its  extent  and  situation  have,  however,  been  al- 
ready given  in  the  first  part  of  my  report  with  sufficient  minuteness. 
Galena  is  the  principal  ore.  Blende,  however,  is  frequent,  as  well  as 
pyritous  copper.  Here  also  have  been  found  the  carbonate,  molybdate, 
sulphate,  phosphate,  and  murio- carbonate  of  lead  ;  the  blue  and 
green  carbonate  of  copper  and  vitreous  black  oxide  of  iron.  Here 
also  we  find  sulphuret  of  iron  in  small  oxtahedra,  truncated  on  all 
their  angles.  The  carbonate  of  lead  is  found  in  tabular  prisms 
with  bevelments:  also  in  six  sided  prisms  with  four  sided  acumin- 
ations :  also  in  triangular  dodecaedra  with  their  apices  deeply  trunca- 
cated.  The  mu no-carbonate  of  lead  is  in  light  green  groups  of  cubie 


008  Scientific  Geology. 

crystals  terminated  by  tetraedral  pyramids.  The  sulphate  of  lead  oc- 
curs in  small  plates  on  the  galena.  The  phosphate  of  lead  exists  in 
spherical  light  green  masses. 

The  vein  in  the  south  part  of  Southampton  is  said  to  have  a  gangue 
of  quartz  containing  galena,  and  to  be  not  more  than  a  foot  wide.  I 
have  not  visited  it. 

About  a  mile  northeasterly  from  the  adit  in  Southampton,  a  vein  of 
quartz,  mostly  radiated,  several  feet  wide,  traverses  mica  slate  chiefly, 
and  contains  blende  and  galena  ;  the  former  in  much  the  greatest 
quantity.  The  blende  here,  as  well  at  all  the  veins  in  the  vicinity,  is 
foliated,  rarely  in  distinct  crystals,  and  of  a  honey  yellow  color. 

The  vein  in  West  Hamp'oa,  near  the  locality  of  argentine,  is  very 
large,  at  least  10  feet  wide;  though  I  could  ndt  ascertain  its  true  width. 
It  is  composed  entirely  of  radiated  and  crystalized  quartz,  surround- 
ing small  masses  of  some  other  rock,  probably  mica  slate,  the  whole 
mass  having  a  brecciated  appearance.  Galena,  the  only  ore  that  has 
been  found  here,  is  very  sparingly  disseminated.  I  could  not  ascer- 
tain whether  this  vein  is  in  granite  or  mica  slate:  both  of  which  rocks 
occur  in  the  vicinity. 

The  veins  in  Williamsbnrgh,  according  to  Mr  Nash,  occur  in 
granite  and  mica  slate,  and  the  gangue  is  quartz.  Only  one  of  them, 
however.has  been  discovered  in  the  rock,their  existence  being  inferred 
from  the  loose  blocks  strewed  over  the  surface.  In  at  least  one  of 
these  veins,  the  oxide  of  mangenese  occurs,  along  with  galena.  Py- 
ritous  copper  exists  there  also,  in  small  quantity  :  and  I  found  foliated 
blende.  This  ore  appears  to  have  a  strong  tendency  to  decomposi- 
tion, and  often  the  cavity  that  contained  it,  is  filled  with  a  dull  red 
powder  whose  true  nature  I  have  not  yet  ascertained.  But  it  is  cer- 
tainly not  the  oxide  of  lead,  as  Mr.  Nash  has  stated  in  the  12th  vol- 
ume of  the  American  Journal  of  Science  ! 

The  three  veins  in  Whately  have  all  a  gangue  of  quartz,  generally 
radiated.  The  most  easterly  one,  according  to  Mr.  Nash,  contains 
oxide  of  manganese  as  well  as  galena.  The  most  northerly  one  is 
six  feet  wide  and  lies  chiefly  in  granite.  It  contains  blende  as  well 
as  galena.  The  two  other  veins  described  by  Mr.  Nash  I  have  tried 
in  vain  to  find. 

According  to  the  Messrs.  Danas,  muriate  of  copper  has  been  found 
in  a  rolled  mass  of  granite  in  Woburn. 

It  is  said,  also,  that  specular  oxide  of  iron  occurs  in  Mendon. 
&nd  in  Cumberland,  R.  Island,  in  granite, 


Origin  of  Granite.  509 

In  the  16th  volume  of  the  American  Journal  of  Science,  I  have 
given  a  very  particular  account  of  the  single  crystal  of  the  oxide  of 
tin,  which  I  found  several  years  ago,  at  the  well  known  locality  of 
several  interesting  minerals  in  the  northwest  part  of  Goshen.  Its 
form,  if  I  did  not  mistake  it,  was  an  octahedron  with  a  square  base : 
though  the  measurements  of  several  of  the  angles  did  not  coincide 
with  those  given  in  the  books.  But  as  to  its  being  genuine  oxide  of 
tin,  there  can  be  no  doubt :  especially  since  the  discovery  in  Europe 
of  this  same  substance  in  a  specimen  sent  from  Chesterfield,  Mass,  as 
mentioned  in  Mohs  Mineralogy.* 

Mr.  Nuttall  suggests  with  a  doubt,  that  the  phosphate  of  manga- 
nese exists  in  Sterling,  in  connection  with  spodumene.  The  same 
mineral,  whatever  it  be, 'is  found  in  Goshen  with  the  spodumene. 

Sulphuret  of  molybdenum  has  been  found  in  granite  in  New 
Bedford  and  Fitchburg. 

The  only  remaining  mineral  to  be  noticed  in  the  granite  of  Mas- 
sachusetts, is  the  columbite  at  Chesterfield.  It  was  discovered  at  the 
tourmaline  locality  by  Mr.  C.  U.  Shepard,  in  right  rectangular  prisms 
with  several  modifications.  The  same  gentleman  found  this  rare 
mineral  in  two  places  in  Goshen,  imbedded  in  spodumene. 

Theoretical    Considerations. 

I  have  already  expressed  the  decided  opinion,  that  if  an  igneous 
origin  be  assigned  to  the  trap  rocks,  as  is  now  done  almost  univer- 
sally, a  similar  origin  cannot  be  denied  to  granite.  There  is  not  in* 
deed,  so  great  a  resemblance  in  appearance,  between  granite  and  re- 
cent lavas,  as  between  these  and  the  trap  rocks  :  nor  does  granite  oc- 
cur in  columnar  masses.  But  except  in  these  two  respects,  the  same 
arguments  which  prove  the  igneous  origin  of  the  traps,  equally  apply 
and  sometimes  I  think  with  more  force,  in  proof  of  the  original  ig- 
neous fluidity  and  protrusion  of  granite.  And  if  I  mistake  not,  there 
are  one  or  two  additional  arguments  in  the  case  of  granite.  I  shall 
now  briefly  present  these  arguments  as  they  apply  to  the  granite  of 
Massachusetts. 

1.  I  infer  the  igneous  origin  of  granite  from  the  inclined  position  of 
the  older  stratified  rocks.  The  stratified  and  slaty  structure  of  these 
rocks  is  conclusive  evidence  that  water  was  the  medium  of  their  orig- 
inal deposition.  But  if  deposited  in  water,  their  laminae  could  not  at 


•  Vol.2  p   387.  Edinburgh,  1825. 


510  Scientific  Geology. 

first  have  varied  much  from  a  horizontal  position  :  for  we  know  of 
no  examples  in  which  depositions  take  place  in  water,  where  the  sur- 
face is  inclined  more  than  a  few  degrees,  except  perhaps  in  those 
limited  cases,where  tufaceous  masses  are  deposited  from  water  charg- 
ed with  lime  or  silex,  flowing. down  inclined  planes.  But  the  older 
stratified  rocks  are  for  the  most  part  highly  inclined,  often  vertical  in- 
deed, as  the  accompanying  Sections  will  show.  They  must,  there- 
fore, have  been  ele\ated  subsequently  to  their  deposition.  And  when 
we  find  that  a  large  proportion  of  the  organic  remains  in  the  secon- 
dary rocks  are  of  marine  origin,  can  we  doubt  that  existing  continents 
once  formed  the  bottom  of  the  ocean  ?  This  opinion  must  now  be 
regarded  as  an  established  principle  in  geology.  But  by  what  power 
was  this  elevation  accomplished  1  That  it  was  volcanic,  in  the  sense 
in  which  that  term  is  now  generally  employed,  I  very  much  doubt  : 
because  it  seems  to  have  acted  along  extended  lines,  and  not  from  a 
center  or  centers.  An  hypothesis  as  to  its  nature,  I  shall  suggest  in 
another  place.  But  I  cannot  conceive  how  the  stratified  rocks  could 
have  been  elevated  as  we  find  them,  without  admitting  two  conditions. 
First,  that  the  solid  crust  of  the  globe  must  have  been  comparatively 
thin,  in  order  to  give  way  to  any  internal  force  that  we  can  imagine 
might  act  upon  it :  Secondly,  that  a  molten  mass  must  have  existed 
beneath  this  crust,  so  that  when  it  was  elevated  in  any  particular  part 
and  depressed  in  others,  the  fluid  nucleus  might  have  readily  confor- 
med to  the  sinuosities  of  its  inferior  surface.  Where,  for  instance,  a 
long  mountain  ridge  was  lifted  up,  if  no  such  fused  matter  were  for- 
ced up  underneath  it  to  occupy  the  cavity  thus  produced,  it  is  difficult 
to  conceive  how  it  could  be  sustained  through  a  lapse  of  centuries. 
Nay,  it  is  difficult  to  conceive  how  such  an  enormous  weight  could 
have  been  lifted  up  thousands  of  feet,  if  such  a  molten  mass  had  not 
been  pressing  against  it  beneath  with  considerable  force,  and  thus 
lending  assistance  to  any  lateral  agency  that  might  have  been  in  ope- 
ration. Now  if  granite  were  not  this  fused  plastic  mass,  we  shall 
search  in  vain  among  the  rocks  to  find  one  that  could  have  been  in 
such  a  state :  for  the  trap  rocks  are  not  in  sufficient  quantity  to  an- 
swer the  conditions  of  this  case  ;  and  they  are,  moreover,usually  asso- 
ciated with  the  newer  stratified  rocks.  But  granite  corresponds  both 
in  its  nature  and  position  with  such  a  supposition.  And  if  we  ex- 
clude the  agency  of  granite,  1  do  not  believe  we  can  account  for  the 
elevation  of  the  strata  which  all  admit  has  taken  place. 

2.  /  infer  the  igneous  origin  of  granite  from  the  manner  in  which  it 


Origin  of  Granite.  51 1 

/>•  intruded  among  the  stratified  rocks.  This  argument  is  far  more 
striking  in  the  case  of  granite  than  in  that  of  greenstone.  For  it  is 
hardly  possible  to  conceive  of  any  anomaly  of  position  which  the  for- 
mer rock  has  not  assumed  in  relation  to  the  stratified  ones,  [ts  veins 
are  of  every  size  and  shape,  and  they  run  in  all  directions  through 
the  superincumbent  strata ;  and  similar  irregularities  exist  in  its 
larger  and  less  ramified  masses.  True,  they  are  rarely  superincum- 
bent upon  the  stratified  rocks  ;  and  hence  some  have  inferred  that 
they  could  not  have  been  erupted  like  trap  and  lava,  which  often 
spread  over  the  surface  to  a  great  extent.  There  is,  however,  one  con- 
sideration,—  to  waive  all  others,  —  which  it  seems  to  me  obviates 
this  difficulty.  We  have  abundant  evidence  that  the  surfaceof  the 
earth  has  suffered  powerful  abrasion  in  past  ages  ;  and  since  granite  is 
confessedly  older  than  the  traps,  it  must  have  suffered  most  from  this 
cause.  Now  who  can  tell  but  granite  did  once  exist  in  overlying 
masses,  and  that  those  have  been  mostly  worn  away,  and  their  re- 
mains entombed  in  the  later  rocks  which  so  abound  in  nodules  of 
granite  ?  If  existing  causes  operate  long  enough,  the  overlying  mas- 
ses of  trap,  now  so  common  in  various  places,  must  be  thus  swept 
away,  and  its  veins  and  protruding  masses  alone  remain. 

This  argument,  however,  cannot  be  felt  in  all  its  force  without 
connecting  it  with  another  circumstance  which  forms  my  next  argu- 
ment. 

3.  I  infer  the  igneous  origin  of  granite  from  the  mechanical  effects 
which  it  appears  to  have  exerted  upon  the  stratified  rocks  in  its  imme- 
diate vicinity. 

To  illustrate  these  effects  is  a  principal  object  which  I  have  had  in 
view  in  giving  so  many  sketches  of  veins  and  protruding  masses  of 
granite.  Most  of  these  cases  seem  to  me  totally  inexplicable  on  any 
other  supposition  than  that  of  the  protrusion  of  the  granite  while  in  a 
fluid  or  semi-fluid  state.  But  after  all,  such  sketches  convey  only  a 
very  imperfect  conception  of  the  actual  marks  of  disturbance,  which 
the  stratified  rocks  in  the  vicinity  of  granite  exhibit.  Their  dip  and 
direction  are  changed  in  every  possible  manner,and  larger  or  smaller 
masses  of  the  stratified  rocks  are  partially  or  entirely  separated  from 
the  parent  rock,  and  more  or  less  enveloped  in  the  granite,  which  is 
united  to  them  chemically.  If  any  candid  man  will  go  into  the 
towns  of  Williamsburgh,  Whately,  Conway,  Chesterfield,  Goshen, 
West  Hampton,  Norwich,  Chester,  Granville,  or  many  others  that 
might  be  named,  and  carefully  examine  the  irregularities  which  the 


512  Scientific  Geology. 

mica  slate  there  exhibits,  in  many  places,  where  granite  is  in  the  vi- 
cinity, and  still  maintain  that  the  granite  was  deposited  from  aqueous 
solution,  his  mind  must  judge  very  differently  from  mine  of  geologi- 
cal evidence.  When  I  began  geological  investigations  many  years 
ago,  my  prejudices  were  in  favor  of  the  Neptunian  theory.  But  an 
examination  of  such  localities  as  I  have  above  referred  to,  showed  me 
at  once  that  I  must  change  sides,  or  abandon  the  mountains  and  study 
the  subject  only  in  the  cabinet.  In  Massachusetts  the  mechanical  in- 
fluence of  granite  upon  the  neighboring  rocks  is  a  hundred  times 
more  striking  than  in  the  case  of  greenstone ;  nor  can  I  conceive  how 
any  effects  of  this  kind  could  have  resulted  from  the  deposition  of 
granite  from  aqueous  solution.  But  they  would  be  the  natural  re- 
sults of  the  protrusion  of  the  granite  in  a  melted  state. 

It  ought  however  to  be  understood,  that  in  very  many  places,  where 
the  granite  and  the  straified  rocks  are  in  contact,  no  evidence  of  the  op- 
eration of  a  disturbing  force  appears,  except  the  general  evidence  re- 
sulting from  the  inclined  position  of  the  strata.  I  mean  that  such  cases 
of  disturbance  as  I  have  described  and  sketched,  are  not  common.  I 
explain  this  in  consistency  with  the  igneous  origin  of  granite,  by  sev- 
eral considerations.  In  the  first  place,  it  is  reasonable  to  suppose,  that 
originally  many  of  the  masses  of  granite  that  now  appear  at  the  sur- 
face, were  not  protruded  through  the  slate;  being  covered  by  those 
strata  which  have  been  subsequently  worn  away.  In  such  case,  al- 
most the  only  effect  which  we  should  expect  to  find  from  the  forcing 
upwards  of  the  granite,  would  be  the  regular  and  nearly  uniform  ele- 
vation of  the  strata ;  since  if  they  were  of  nearly  equal  thickness  and 
strength  throughout,  the  molten  mass  beneath  would  press  almost 
equally  against  their  entire  under  surface.  In  the  second  place,  such 
a  molten  mass  would  soften  and  partially  fuse  the  strata  for  a  consid- 
erable thickness  above  it;  and,  therefore,  it  might  send  veins  through 
the  rock  thus  rendered  plastic,  without  leaving  marks  of  mechanical 
pressure  and  disturbance.  In  the  third  place,  such  molten  matter 
would  fill  all  the  fissures  and  cavities  previously  existing  in  the  strat- 
ified rocks  without  producing  disturbance. 

These  causes,  it  seems  to  me,  to  suggest  no  others,  are  sufficient  to 
show  why  we  do  not  always  find  evidence  of  any  peculiar  disturbance 
in  the  strata  in  contact  with  granite.  But  if  these  strata  were  not  of 
equal  strength  or  thickness  throughout,  or  if  one  part  of  them  was  less 
softened  by  heat  than  the  other  parts,  then  we  should  expect  protru- 
sions of  granite  to  be  the  result, with  traces  of  mechanical  violence:  ancj 


Origin  of  Granite.  513 

such  probably  are  the  cases  which  I  have  sketched.  Thus  the  anom- 
alous as  well  as  the  usual  modes  in  which  granite  occurs,  are  explica- 
ble on  this  theory  :  whereas  the  Neptunian,  even  if  he  can  show  how- 
granite,  as  it  usually  occurs,  might  have  resulted  from  chemical  solu- 
tion in  water,  cannot  by  the  aqeous  theory,  explain  the  anomalies  that 
have  been  described. 

4.  I  infer  the  igneous  origin  of  granite  from  its  chemical  effects 
upon  the  surrounding  strata,. 

These  effects,  so  far  as  I  noticed  them  in  the  region  I  have  under- 
taken to  describe,  have  been  detailed  in  various  parts  ot  this  report; 
and  therefore  I  need  only  refei  to  them  in  a  summary  manner. 

The  conversion  of  greywacke  slate  into  flinty  slate,  and  of  certain 
ferruginous  portions  of  it  into  jasper,  as  well  as  the  induration  of  the 
limestone  in  the  vicinity  of  the  granite  in  Newport  R.  Island,  are 
undoubtedly  the  most  striking  effects  of  this  kind  in  the  region  under 
consideration.  I  can  conceive  of  no  other  hypothesis  to  account 
for  these  changes  which  is  not  perfectly  absurd.  Surely  no  one  can 
think  of  explaining  such  facts  by  any  probable  operation  of  an  aqueous 
agency.  And  if  an  igneous  agency,  sufficient  to  fuse  the  graywacke 
and  the  limestone  be  admitted,  it  must  have  been  sufficient  also  to  fuse 
the  granite. 

The  argument  which  I  have  drawn  from  the  existence  of  apparent- 
ly semi-fused  nodules  of  the  schistose  rocks  in  sienite,  in  favor  of  the 
igneous  origin  of  that  rock,  will  apply  also  to  genuine  granite  on  two 
grounds.  1.  Sienite  is  only  a  variety  of  granite ;  the  two  rocks  being- 
connected  in  the  same  continuous  mass,even  in  the  very  locality  where 
the  conglomerated  sienite  occurs.  And  I  cannot  conceive  how  one 
part  should  have  had  an  igneous  and  the  other  an  aqueous  origin.  2- 
Similar  rounded  nodules  do  occur,  though  less  numer  ously,in  granite- 
(No.  1486.) 

I  have  often  noticed  an  appearance  on  the  surface  of  granite  in  con- 
tact with  mica  slate,  which  I  have  not  seen  described ;  but  which 
seems  to  have  some  bearing  on  this  question.  The  surface  of  the 
granite  has  a  striated  appearance  ;  as  if,  when  in  a  plastic  slate  it  had 
been  crowded  against  the  slate  while  at  the  same  time  it  was  urged 
upwards.  Usually  a  layer  of  quartz  envelopes  the  granite,  and  this 
is  often  of  a  bluish  or  muddy  aspect,  as  if  the  coloring  matter  of  the 
slate  had  penetrated  it.  These  effects,  partly  chemical  and  partly 
mechanical,  are  easily  explicable  on  the  supposition  that  the  granite 

65 


514  Scientific  Geology. 

was  protruded  in  a  melted  state  through  the  slate,  and  therefore  lend* 
some  support  to  that  theory. 

Along  the  western  border  of  the  Connecticut  valley ,the  lower  beds 
of  new  red  sandstone  in  some  places  have  inpartlost  their  red  color  so 
as  to  become  spotted.  In  the  adit,  for  example,  at  the  Southampton 
lead  mine  the  rock  has  become  gray  throughout.  (No.  167.)  Here 
we  know  that  a  large  mass  of  granite  exists  within  a  few  feet  of  the 
sandstone.  Now  I  have  shown  under  greenstone,  that  just  such  a 
change  of  color  results  in  this  same  rock,  from  a  contact  with  green- 
stone: and  scarcely  no  one  now  doubts  that  the  heat  of  the  green- 
stone was  the  cause.  Why  then  should  it  be  doubted  in  the  case  of 
granite? 

5.  /  infer  the  igneous  origin  of  granite  from  its  crystalline,  struc- 
ture, and  the  numerous  cry  totalizations  of  other  substances  that  hare 
taken  place  in  it. 

These  same  facts  I  am  aware  have  been  adduced  to  prove  the 
aqueous  origin  of  gianite  :  for  since  the  products  of  volcanoes  are 
rarely  crystalline,  and  many  splendid  crystalizations  have  taken  place 
from  solution  in  water,  it  has  been  thought  most  reasonable  to  sup- 
pose such  was  the  origin  of  granite.  But  when  has  the  chemist 
been  able  from  aqueous  solution  to  obtain  a  solid  crystalline  mass  of 
three  or  four  distinct  substances  at  the  same  time  ?  I  believe 
never.  They  always  crystalize  in  succession.  And  the  difficulty 
is  increased  when  we  take  into  the  account  the  numerous  simple  min- 
erals that  are  found  crystalized  and  enveloped  in  the  granite;  each 
of  the  substances  appearing  as  if  they  struggled  with  one  another  for 
a  place  at  the  moment  of  deposition. 

But  on  the  other  hand,  if  the  fused  materials  of  which  glass  is 
composed,  or  melted  basalt,  or  lava.be  slowly  cooled,  they  will  separ- 
ate into  distinct  compounds,  as  has  been  done  in  the  case  of  gran- 
ite. If,  however,  they  be  cooled  suddenly,  a  uniform  rock,  or  even 
a  glass  will  be  the  result.  Does  not  this  fact  lead  to  the  probable 
conclusion,  that  the  degree  of  crystalization  in  any  rock  depends 
upon  the  time  employed  in  its  refrigeration.  Perhaps,  however,  oth- 
er circumstances  are  concerned  in  causing  such  a  difference  in  struc- 
ture as  we  find  between  basalt  and  granite. 

This  fifth  argument  was  not  adduced  to  prove  the  igneous  origin  of 
greenstone,  because  the  crystalline  structure  of  that  rock  is  so  imper- 
fect compared  with  that  of  granite.  Some  of  the  other  arguments  are 


Volcanic  Theory,  515 

much  more  satisfactory  in  the  case  of  granite  than  in  that  of  green- 
stone.    And  upon  the  whole,  I  cannot  see    why  the  evidence  in  favor 
of  the  Vulcanian  production  of  granite  is  not  fully  as  strong  as  his 
in  respect  to  any  of  the  trap  rocks.     But  as  to  the  origin  of  the  latter 
there  is  scarcely  any  diversity  of  opinion.     We  may  then  safely  pre- 
dict that  a  like   uniformity  will  soon  prevail  in    respect  to  granite 
Indeed,  we  are  informed  on  the  highest  authority,  that  in  Great  Brit- 
ain this  uniformity  of  views  already  exists.     Five  years  ago,  Dr.  Fit- 
ton,  President  of  the  Geological  Society,  said  :  "  In  the   specula  tive 
department  of  Geology,   nothing  has  been  of  late  more  remarkable 
with  reference  to  its  history  in  this  country,  than  the.  universal  adop- 
tion of  a  modified  Volcanic  theory,  and  the   complete  subsidence,  or 
almost   total    oblivion,  of  the  Wernerian  and  Neptunian  hypotheses ; 
—  so  that  what,  but  a  few   years   since,    was  by   some  considered  as 
hardihood  to  propose  in  the  form  of  conjecture,  seems  now  to  be   es- 
tablished nearly  with  the  evidence  of  fact.     It   is  no  longer   denied, 
that  volcanic  power  has  been  active  during  all  the  revolutions  which 
the  surface  of  the  globe  has  undergone,  and  has  probably  been  itself 
the  cause  of  many  of  them  ;  and  that  our  continents  have  not  merely 
been  shaken  by  some  mighty  subterraneous  force,  but  that  strata,  orig. 
inally  horizontal,  have   thus  been  raised,  shattered,  and  contorted,  and 
traversed,  perhaps  repeatedly,  by  veins  of  fluid  matter;  —  operations 
which  have  produced  phenomena,  so  nearly  resembling  those  of  vol- 
canic agency,  that  to  have  so  long  disputed  the  identity  of  their  cause, 
is  one  of  the  most  remarkable  proofs  in  the  annals  of  philosop  hichis- 
tory,  of  the  power  of  hypothesis  in  disturbing  or  concealing  truth."* 
Brongniart  and  Beudant  also,  distinguished  professors  of  geology 
in  Paris,  and  until  recently     Wernerians,  in  their  Report  on  a  Me- 
moir of  Elie  de  Beaumont,  presented  to  the  Acadamy  of  Sciences  in 
1829,  remark  as  follows:  "  The  Memoir  of  M.  de  Beaumont  exhibits 
certainly  one  of  the  newest,boldest,and  most  ingenious  theories  which 
have  been  proposed    for   a  long  time.     It  seems   even  to  demolish 
those  theories  which  have  the  honorable  prejudice  of  an   illustrious 
name  (Werner)  on  their  side,  as  well  as   the  general  opinion,  and 
which  have  been  adopted  by  many  of  the  men  \bors  of  this  Academy,  t 

*  Anniveraary  Address,  Feb.    15    th.    1828. 
t  Rapport,  &c,     17, 


51,6  Scientific  Geology. 

Theory  of  Central  Heat. 

The  logical  mind  that  adopts  these  views  of  the  origin  of  the  un- 
stratified  rocks,is  irresistibly  led  to  inquire  into  the  commencement  and 
present  state  of  the  internal  heat  which  has  produced  such  mighty  ef- 
fects. As  to  the  condition  of  the  globe  when  this  powerful  agent 
began  to  modify  its  crust,  little  more  than  conjecture  can  guide  our 
inquiries.  Astronomical  observations  render  it  probable  that  the  sur- 
face of  the  moon  is  composed  almost  entirely  of  volcanic  matter  ;  and 
that  that  planet  is  gradually  cooling  and  passing  into  a  habitable  from 
a  choatic  state.  Comets  also,  appear  to  be  in  a  condition  still  more 
chaostic  ;  the  matter  of  which  they  are  composed  being  actually  in 
some  instances  expanded  into  vapor,  in  consequence  of  internal  heat. 
The  speculative  geologist  inquires,  whethersuch  might  not  have  been 
the  early  condition  of  our  globe ;  and  whether  it  has  not  been  grad- 
ually cooling  from  the  beginning  to  the  present  time :  while  such 
animals  have  been  successively  placed  upon  it  as  possesed  natures 
adapted  to  its  different  temperatures.  That  its  surface  must  have  been 
torn  and  ravaged  by  the  most  powerful  volcanic  agency  in  early  times, 
those  who  admit  the  igneous  origin  of  the  unstratified  rocks  must 
allow :  and  that  its  temperature  has  been  sinking,  is  rendered  extreme- 
ly probable  by  the  almost  universal  occurrence  of  animals  of  a  topic- 
al character  in  the  fossiliferous  strata  of  high  latitudes. 

The  surface  of  the  globe  has  probably  nearly  or  quite  reached  its 
maximum  of  refrigeration,  as  several  facts  seem  to  prove.  But  what 
is  the  present  temperature  of  its  internal  parts  ?  A  great  number  of 
observations  made  within  a  few  years  in  different  parts  of  the  world, 
in  mines  and  other  deep  excavations,  have  brought  to  light  the  inter- 
esting fact,  that  the  temperature  increases  rapidly  as  we  descend  into 
the  earth ;  indicating  even,  that  at  a  depth  less  than  100  miles,  a  heat 
exists  great  enough  to  fuse  all  known  rocks ;  and  consequently,  that 
the  great  mass  of  the  globe  beneath  this  envelope,  may  now  be  a  mol- 
ten incandescent  mass.  Startling  as  such  a  conclusion  may  be,  to  one 
who  is  not  conversant  with  the  details  and  reasonings  of  geology,  it 
seems  to  receive  confirmation  from  the  occasional  ejection  of  just  such 
melted  matter  as  the  theory  supposes,  from  more  than  200  volcanoes, 
which  seem  to  form  the  safety  valves  of  the  vast  furnace.  And 
then,  still  more  numerous  extinct  volcanoes  testify  to  the  more  pow- 
erful operation  of  this  agency  in  former  days.  The  facility  too  with 


Theory  of  Central  Heat.  517 

which  such  a  theory  applies  to  the  explanation  of  a  multitude  of  phys- 
ical phenomena  which  cannot  be  here  detailed,  certainly  strengthens 
the  conviction  of  its  truth. 

It  is  hut  a  few  years  since  this  theory  was  formally  developed  in 
the  sientific  world ;  and  although  it  was  viewed  by  many  as  the  very 
extravagance  of  hypothesis,  yet  it  is  interesting  to  see  how  very  rap- 
idly it  has  gained  credence.  Nor  can  this  fact  be  explained  without 
admitting  that  it  carries  with  it  strong  marks  of  truth.  The  state  of 
opinion  on  this  subject  among  European  geologists,  may  be  learnt 
from  the  following  paragraph  of  a  recent  able  French  writer  on  Vol- 
canoes. "  If"  says  he,  "  I  have  dwelt  long  on  the  ideas  of  Cordier, 
it  is  because  they  are  now  professed  by  the  most  illustrious  geologists 
of  our  age.  They  rest,  moreover,  on  facts  so  numerous  and  so  well 
established,  that  it  is  impossible  not  to  regard  them  as  a  faithful  rep- 
resentation of  what  must  have  happened  at  the  commencement  of 
things,  and  of  what  is  now  taking  place.  The  hypothesis  of  central 
heat,  and  by  consequence  that  which  imputes  the  origin  of  volcanic 
matters  to  a  fiery  mass  in  the  interior  of  the  globe,  may  be  placed  in 
the  rank  of  truths  the  most  firmly  established.  In  proportion  as  ob- 
servations multiply,  this  hypothesis  is  confirmed  :  the  small  number 
of  phenomena  yet  involved  in  some  obscurity,  will  be  explained  more 
easily  than  those  which  have  been  brought  to  light  before  :  and  the 
systematic  minds  which  still  resist  the  evidence,  will  soon  find  them- 
selves compelled  to  abandon  their  opinions,  which  have  already  fallen 
into  the  most  profound  discredit."* 

"  As  to  the  central  heat"  says  Dr.  Macculloch,  "  if  there  is  not  am- 
ple proof  of  this,  I  know  not  that  geology  can  furnish  proof  of  any 
thing,"  &c.  f 

Even  the  chemical  theory  of  volcanic  action,  which  imputed  it  to 
the  oxidation  of  the  metalloids,  and  which  seemed  a  few  years  ago  to 
be  enlisting  able  advocates  in  its  defence,  appears  in  Europe  to  be 
nearly  abandoned.  Even  Sir  Humphrey  Davy,  who  originally  pro- 
posed it,  subsequently  abandoned  it ;  and  says  that  "the  hypothesis  of 
the  nucleus  of  the  globe  being  composed  of  fluid  matter,  offers' a  still 
more  simple  solution  of  the  phenomena  of  volcanic  fires  than  that 
which  has  been  just  developed."!  His  surviving  brother  Sir  John 
Davy,  however,  still  defends  the  chemical  theory,  as  does  also  Profes- 
sor Daubeny. 


*  Considerations  sur  les  VoJcans  &c.  par  M.  J.  trirardin,  Paris  1831,  p.  152. 

T  System  of  Geology,  Vol.  2,  p.  408. 

t  Philosophic-Hi  Transactions  for  1828.  Part  1. 


518  Scientific  Geology. 

Theory  of  tht  Sufficiency  of  Causes  now  in  action,  with  no  increase 
of  intensity,  to  account  for  Geological  Phenomena. 

Although  the  theory  of  central  heat  has  been  so  generally  adopted 
as  to  excite  at  present  but  little  discussion,  yet  a  theory  is  now  in  the 
course  of  a  full  and  able  development  by  a  distinguished  geologist,* 
relating  to  the  dynamics  of  existing  causes,  which  seems  likely  to 
elicit  much  of  talent  and  feeling  in  its  examination.  He  maintains 
that  if  the  causes  now  in  operation  be  supposed  to  have  acted  during 
immense  periods  of  past  time,  without  any  increase  of  intensity,  they 
may  have  produced  all  the  phenomena  which  the  records  of  geology 
disclose.  Those  who  take  the  opposite  ground  are  ready  to  admit 
that  the  dynamics  of  existing  causes  has  been  greatly  underrated  . 
nor  do  they  suppose  that  any  causes  different  in  their  nature  from  ex- 
isting ones  have  been  in  operation  in  past  times.  But  they  suppose 
these  causes  to  have  acted  with  far  greater  intensity  formerly  than  at 
present  :  and  they  appeal  to  the  following  facts  in  support  of  this 
opinion,  and  in  opposition  to  the  theory  above  stated. 

1.  The  spheroidal  figure  of  the  earih  renders  it  probable  that  it 
was  once  fluid.     Whether  this  fluidity  was  igneous  or  aqueous,  the 
operation  of  fire  or  water  must  have  been  far  more  powerful  formerly 
than  at  present. 

2.  Perhaps  nine  tenths  of  our  present  continents  exhibit  evidence 
that  their  stratified  rocks  were  formed  beneath  the  ocean  ;  and  they 
must  consequently  have  been  subsequently  elevated  ;  and  this,  not  by 
little  and  little,  but  by  a  few  paroxysmal  efforts  of  volcanic  force.  But 
that  force,  during  the  last  4000  years,  seems  to  have  been    by  far  too 
feeble  to  produce  effects  to  be  compared  with  the  elevation  of  a  conti- 
nent, or  even  a  single  mountain  chain. 

3.  The  products  of  volcanic  agencies  in  early  times,  that  is,   the 
unstratified  rocks,  appear  to  have  been  far  more  abundant  than  dur- 
ing the  last  few  thousands  of  years.     That  is,  the  deposits  of  gran- 
ite, sienite,  and  porphyry,  whose  cotemporary  production  can  be  ren 
dered  probable,  are  of  greater  extent  than  those  of  basalt,  greenstone 
and  trachyte  ;  and   these  latter  more  abundant  than  the  lavas  of  ex- 

isting volcanoes  :  thus  exhibiting  a  diminishing  energy  of  volcanic 

action. 

4.  A  correspondent  decrease  of  violence  in  this  power,  is    obvious 
in  the  disturbances  and  dislocations  of  the  stratified  rocks  by  the  pro- 


les  of  Geology  by  Charles   Lyell   Esq.    Vol.  1.    London  1830:    Vol.  2 
London  1832:  Vol    3,  forthcoming-. 


Fluvial  Theory.  519 

trusion  of  the  unstratified.  That  is,  the  oldest  stratified  rocks  exhibit 
far  more  of  disturbance  than  those  of  more  modern  date  ;  many  of 
which  have  not  been  disturbed  at  all.  This  cannot  be  explained  by 
supposing  that  the  older  rocks  have  been  affected  by  all  the  paroxys- 
mal efforts  of  volcanic  power  that  have  occurred,  whereas  the  newer 
ones  have  felt  only  the  modern  throes  :  for  the  latter  products  of  vol- 
canic action,  such  as  basalt,  greenstone,  trachyte,  and  lava,  appear 
but  in  a  few  instances  to  have  disturbed  the  older  rocks. 

5.  The  vents  of  existing  volcanoes  are  always  situated  in  the  midst 
of  regions  exhibiting  marks  of  former  and    extinct   volcanic  action  ; 
and  they  occupy  but  a  small  proportion  of  those   regions ;  indicating 
a  comparative  repose  or  diminution  of  the  volcanic  power. 

6.  In  correspondence  with  the  preceding  facts,  we  find  the  older 
rocks,  both  stratified  and  unstratified,  more  crystalline  in  their   struc- 
ture than  the  newer  ones  :  an  effect  which  would  result  from  the   di- 
minished agency  of  heat 

7.  The  character  of  organic  remains  implies  a  like  diminution  of 
temperature  :  nor  can  the  astronomical  theory  of  Mr.  Herschel,  mak- 
ing this  diminution  the  result  of  a  gradual   change  in  the  elliptieity 
of  the  earth's  orbit;  nor  the  geographical  theory  of  Mr.  Lyell,  which 
refers  it  to  variations  in  the  relative  position  of  land  and  water,  and 
in  the  elevation  and  form  of  land  :  afford  any  satisfaction  to  the  mind. 

8.  The  occasional  occurence  in  the  sedimentary  rocks  of  immense 
beds  of  conglomerate,  indicates  the  occasional  recurrence  of  power- 
ful debacles  of  water  to  form  and  collect  the  materials  for  these  rocks. 
But  we  know  of  no  cause  now  in  operation  adequate  to  the  produc- 
tion of  such  deluges.     Yet  if  we  admit  the  greater  intensity  of  vol- 
canic power  in  past  times,  an  adequate  cause  is  provided. 

9.  Existing  diluvium  cannot  be  accounted  for  by  causes  now  in  ac- 
tion.    This  point,  in  relation  to  the  diluvium  of  Massachusetts,  has 
been  so  fully  discussed  in  the  earlier  pages  of  this  report,  that  I  need 
add  nothing  further  in  this  place,  except  to  say,  that  the  diluvium  of 
other  countries  appears  to  be  quite  as  difficult  to  be  accounted  for  by 
the  fluvial  theory. 

Upon  the  whole,  it  seems  to  me  that  however  easily  a  man  may 
persuade  himself  in  his  cabinet,  of  the  truth  of  the  theory  that  has 
been  examined,  he  cannot  go  forth  among  the  mountains  without 
meeting  its  refutation  every  where;  and  he  must  be  continually  im- 
pressed with  the  vast  intensity  of  force  which  aqueous  and  igneous 
agents  have  exerted  on  the  globe  in  former  times. 


520  Scientific  Geology. 

Here  terminates  my  account  of  the  particular  rocks  of  Massachu- 
setts. A  few  miscellaneous  matters  that  could  not  properly  be  intro- 
duced in  any  other  place,  will  be  added  in  conclusion  of  the  Scientific 
Geology  of  the  State. 

MISCELLANEOUS  ITEMS. 

1      Origin  of  Metallic  Veins,  Beds,  fyc. 

The  metals  sometimes  occur  in  the  rocks  disseminated  through  their 
masses :  and  in  this  case  it  is  obvious  that  they  must  have  existed  in  the 
materials  out  of  which  the  rock  was  produced,  and  were  separated  into 
small  masses  by  chemical  affinities  when  the  rock  was  passing  from 
a  fluid  to  a  solid  state.  The  same  was  probably  true  in  those  cases 
where  the  metals  exist  in  tuberculous  masses  in  the  rocks.  When 
they  occur  in  strings,  that  is,  in  small  veins  so  numerous  as  to  give  the 
rock  a  reticulated  appearance,  they  were  probably  segregated  from  the 
mass  of  the  rock  at  the  period  of  its  formation  ;  not  improbaby  filling 
up  the  small  cracks  produced  by  incipient  consolidation.  Metallic 
becfls,  where  the  ore  is  interstratified  with  the  rock,  may  in  many  cases 
have  resulted  from  aqueous  deposition,  the  ores  having  been  subse- 
quently modified  by  exposure  to  heat :  as  I  have  more  fully  suggest- 
ed in  describing  talcose  slate.  But  when  the  metals  occur  in 
genuine  veins,  as  they  usually  do,  the  theory  of  their  origin  is  invol- 
ved in  great  obscurity.  The  Wernerian  dogma,  that  all  veins  were 
filled  by  aqueous  solution  from  above,  is  now  exploded  ;  though  in  a 
few  instances  they  may  have  been  formed  in  this  manner.  A  more 
recent  and  very  ingenious  hypothesis  represents  the  contents  of  me- 
tallic veins  as  having  been  secreted  from  the  rocks  by  means  of  gal- 
vanic electricity;*  and  the  change  that  takes  place  in  these  contents 
as  the  vein  passes  into  different  rocks,  certainly  lends  some  plausibil- 
ity to  this  suggestion  :  and  it  would  seem  probable  that  the  various 
layers  of  rocks  and  minerals  that  make  up  the  crust  of  the  globe, 
must  form  galvanic  combinations  of  great  power.  A  still  more  re- 
cent hypothesisf  imputes  metallic  veins  to  sublimation  by  the  inter- 
nal heat  of  the  earth,  which  causes  the  metallic  substances  to  rise  into 
the  fissures  that  exist  in  the  crust  of  the  globe.  This  hypothesis, 

*  Pox  in  the  Philosophical  Transactions  for  1830  p.  399. 
t  Neckar  in  Philosophical  Magazine.     Sept.    1832. 


Metallic  Veins  and  Beds. 


521 


also,  is  very  ingenious  ;  but  my  own  mind  is  not  satisfied  with  any 
explanation  that  has  yet  been  proposed. 

I  am  not  aware  that  any  facts  which  have  come  to  my  knowledge 
relative  to  the  metallic  veins  in  Massachusetts,  will  throw  any  light 
upon  this  subject.  But  as  yet  they  have  not,  except  in  a  few  instances, 
been  penetrated  far  enough  to  develope  facts  of  much  interest. 

The  direction  of  these  veins  is,  however,  a  point  that  ought  not  to 
be  passed  over  in  silence.  For  when  we  find  veins  corresponding  in 
direction,  especially  if  in  the  same  formation,  we  have  good  reason 
for  presuming  that  they  originated  in  a  common  cause,  and  at  the 
same  epoch.  On  Plate  XVI,  which  shows  the  direction  of  the  strata 
in  Massachusetts,  I  have  given  the  course  of  most  of  the  metallic 
beds  and  veins  in  the  State  by  double  arrow  heads.  The  follow- 
ing are  the  data  from  which  I  made  the  delineation 

Direction.  Dip. 

1.  Bed  of  Iron  in  Hawley ;  North  and  South ;  Vertical. 

2.  Do.  Somerset,  Vt.  Do.  20°  to  30°  East. 

3.  Bed  of  Manganese,  Plainfield, 

(S.  West  part.)  Do.  nearly  9O  East. 

4.  Vein  of  Lead  (most  Southerly) 

Leverett,  Do.  nearly  vertical. 

5.  Do.  Whately,  (North  part)  Do.  Do. 

6.  Vein  of  Copper  Ore  on  Island, 

Turner's  Falls,  Do.  Westerly. 

7.  Vein  of  Copper  Ore  in  Green- 
field, near  Turner's  Falls,  Do,  Vertical. 

8.  Vein  of  Manganese,  Con- 
way  ;  N.  E.  and  S.  W.  Do. 

9.  Vein  of  Lead,  and  Copper, 
Leverett,  (most  northerly  vein,)  Do. 

10.  Do.   Do.  Southampton,     Do.  nearly.  Do.1? 

11.  Do.   Do.  West  Hampton,  Do.  Do.? 

12.  Do.  Zinc,  chiefly, 

Northampton,  Do.  Do. 

13  and  14.  Two  veins  chiefly  in 

Whately,*  Do. 

15.  Bed  of  Copper.Ore,  Granby.Ct.  Do.  20"  S.  E. 

*  On  Mr.  Nash's  Authority. 
66 


522  Scientific  Geology. 

16.  Bed  Mag.  Ox.  of  Iron, 

Bernardston,  North  and  South  20°  S.  E. 

17.  Bed  of  Plumbago,  Sturbridge,  N.  30°  E.  60»to  70°  N.  W 

18.  Do.  Iron  and  Zinc, 

Sterling,  N.  several  degrees  East.         Do. 

19.  Vein  of  Lead,  Hatfield,  Nearly  N.  W.  and  S.  E.     Vertical  ? 

Regarding  only  the  veins  in  the  above  table,  and  judging  merely 
from  their  course,  we  should  infer  that  all  of  them  were  produced  at 
two  epochs,  except  the  single  vein  in  Hatfield.  But  the  great  differ- 
ence between  the  age  of  the  new  red  sandstone,  containing  the  copper 
veins,  and  that  of  the  granite  and  mica  slate  containing  the  other 
veins,  renders  it  probable  that  those  in  the  former  rock  must  have 
been  formed  at  a  different  epoch  from  those  of  the  latter.  On  this  view 
of  the  subject  we  must  refer  these  veins  to  four  periods  :  1.  The  veins 
of  copper  5  &  6,  in  the  new  red  sandstone :  2  The  veins  of  lead,  4  and 
5:  3.  The  veins  8,  9,  10,  11,  12,  13  and  14:— 4.  The  vein  19.  If  the 
beds  be  considered  as  connected  in  their  origin  with  the  veins,  the 
number  of  epochs  of  production  will  not  be  increased:  Since  the  beds 
I,  2,  and  3  will  belong  to  the  first  epoch,  and  15,  16,  17  and  18,  to 
the  second. 

2.  Elevation  of  the  Mountains  and  Systems  of  Strata  in  Massachu- 
setts. 

Geologists  who  saw  that  the  existing  continents  of  the  globe  had 
obviously  been  raised  from  the  bottom  of  the  ocean,  had  sometimes 
suggested  that  different  mountain  ridges  had  been  lifted  up  at  differ- 
ent epochs.  And  they  seemed  to  approach  very  near  sometimes  to 
the  discovery  of  the  principle  by  -which  they  could  determine  the 
relative  ages  of  these  mountains.  But  it  was  reserved  for  Eli  de  Beau- 
mont to  develope  the  true  principles  by  which  we  should  be  guided  in 
such  investigations  :  and  perhaps  no  discovery  in  geology  within  the 
present  century,  has  excited  so  much  interest  among  geologists  as 
this.  I  could  not,  therefore,  be  justified  in  closing  my  report  without 
an  effort  to  apply  these  principles  to  the  mountains  and  systems  of 
strata  in  Massachusetts.  But  as  no  effort  of  the  kind  has  been  made 
in  this  country,  I  fear  that  I  shall  make  but  a  feeble  beginning. 


Sections  and  Map  of  the  Strata.  525 

Sections  and  Map  of  the    Direction,  of  the  Strata,  accompanying   this 

Report. 

In  order  to  give  as  correct  a  view  as  I  am  able  of  the  course  of  our 
inclined  strata  and  their  dip,  I  have  given  Plate  XVI  to  illustrate  the 
former,  and  Plate  XVII  and  XVIII,  to  exhibit  the  latter.  For  on 
these  two  circumstances  the  whole  argument  for  proving  the  elevation 
of  the  different  systems  of  strata  at  different  epoch,  rests. 

The  instruments  which  I  have  employed  for  ascertaining  the  di- 
rection and  dip  of  the  strata,  area  good  pocket  compass  and  a  clinom- 
eter. I  confess,  however,  that  in  consequence  of  the  very  common 
oscillation  of  the  dip  and  direction  within  short  distances,  I  have  been 
much  in  the  habit  of  depending  upon  the  coup  d'oeil  to  obtain  their 
average :  being  sure  that  I  knew  where  the  true  meridian  lay,  and 
having  found  by  long  trial  that  I  could  be  more  accurate  in  this  way, 
and  especially  in  respect  to  the  dip,  than  by  the  use  of  instruments. 
But  after  all,  every  geologist  must  be  aware  that  all  observations  of 
this  kind,  made  in  the  best  manner,  can  be  only  approximations  to 
the  truth.  In  most  instances,  however,  they  come  sufficiently  near 
the  truth  to  form  a  good  basis  for  reasoning  :  since  it  is  large  differ- 
ences only,  in  the  dip  and  direction,  on  which  the  conclusions  rest. 

In  strictness,  when  the  direction  is  given  in  this  report  in  degrees, 
about  5  degrees  should  be  allowed  for  the  westerly  variation  of  the 
magnetic  needle. 

It  is  only  the  predominant  or  general  direction  of  the  basset  edges 
of  the  strata  that  I  have  undertaken  to  give  on  the  map.  The  preceding 
pages  of  my  report  contain  numerous  local  exceptions:  but  unless 
these  are  on  a  large  scale,  as  in  Worcester,  Goshen,  &c.  they  have 
not  been  represented. 

Dotted  lines  are  drawn  on  the  Geological  Map  of  the  State,  (Plate 
I,)  to  show  where  the  sections,  given  on  Plates  XVII  &  XVIII, 
cross  the  country.  Section  A,  crosses  from  east  to  west  near  the  nor- 
thern part  of  the  State.  Section  B,  is  intended  to  cross  near  the  middle 
^of  the  State:  though  it  deviates  somewhat  from  a  direct  course,  in  or- 
"  der  to  strike  the  granite  and  coal  in  Worcester.  Section  C,  passes 
through  the  southern  part  of  the  State;  though  when  it  reaches  the 
northeast  corner  of  Rhode  Island,  it  tends  more  to  the  south,  in  order  to 
terminate  upon  the  famous  "Plymouth  Rock,"  which  is  a  large  bowl- 
der of  a  rather  peculiar  kind  of  granite,  (No.  1433.)  Section  D,  passes 
from  the  northeast  corner  of  the  State  to  Boston;  thence  it  changes  its 


524  Scie?Uific  Geology. 

course  slightly  to  reach  Newport  R.  Island.  Above  sections  B  &  C,  a 
few  short  sections  are  introduced  of  interesting  places  lying  too  far  north 
of  the  line  of  the  general  sections  to  be  made  part  of  them.  In  these 
minor  sections  the  same  scales  are  employed  as  in  the  larger  ones. 

The  horizontal  scale  used  in  all  these  sections  corresponds  with  that 
oti  the  Geological  Map :  so  that  the  sections  are  of  exactly  the  same 
length  as  the  Map,  measured  on  the  ddtted  lines  above  described. 
Hence  any  particular  spot  on  the  section  may  be  found  upon  the  State 
Map,  by  laying  the  one  upon  the  other.  The  scale  for  laying  off  the 
heights  is  1500  feet  to  the  inch.  I  do  not  suppose  that  I  have  always 
given  the  height  of  the  surface  with  much  exactness.  I  have  depen- 
ded on  several  surveys  that  have  deen  executed  within  a  few  years  for 
contemplated  canals  and  railways,  and  on  other  admeasurements  pub- 
lished by  individuals,  for  the  heights  of  the  most  important  points 
along  the  sections.  But  in  some  instances  the  course  of  these  surveys 
did  not  correspond  with  the  line  of  the  sections.  In  such  case  I  could 
only  approximate  to  the  elevation. 

The  double  scale  necessarily  employed  in  extensive  sections  of  this 
kind,  gives  so  distorted  a  representation  of  the  surface,  and  consequent- 
ly of  the  relative  situation  of  the  different  rocks,  as  exceedingly  to  di. 
minish  the  value  of  such  representations.  Geologists  accordingly  at 
the  present  day  place  but  little  depen dance  upon  them  :  or  rather  they 
value  them  less  just  in  proportion  to  their  distortion.  "Such  sections," 
says  De  la  Beche,  "are  little  better  than  caricatures  of  nature,  and  are 
frequently  much  more  mischievous  than  useful,  even  leading  those 
who  make  them,  to  false  conclusions,  from  the  distortion  and  false 
proportions  of  the  various  parts."*  If  to  this  it  be  added,  that  there 
is  a  strong  temptation  to  make  up  for  a  deficiency  of  observation  by 
giving  the  relative  position  of  the  rocks  according  to  a  favorite  theo- 
ry, we  shall  be  persuaded  that  a  large  part  of  the  sections  hitherto 
published,  have  conveyed  to  the  mind  nearly  as  much  error  as  truth. 
A  section  which  exhibits  only  the  truth,  so  far  as  the  observer  has  as- 
certained it  from  actual  examination,  forms  too  naked  and  uninviting  a 
sketch  to  satisfy  the  taste  or  the  ambition  of  many.  Hence  the  imag- 
ination and  the  painter  are  taxed  to  make  up  the  deficiency. 

In  the  sections  appended  to  this  report,  however,  I  have  endeavor- 
ed to  present  the  dip  and  superposition  of  the  rocks,  only  so  far  as  I 
have  determined  these  points  from  actual  observation.  Where  for  in- 

*Geological  Manual  3d  Edition  p.  545. 


Systems  of  Strata  in  Massachusetts.  525 

stance,  as  in  the  case  of  the  limestone  of  Berkshire  county,  I  have  not 
seen  the  actual  junction  of  different  rocks,  I  have  left  a  blank  space 
between  them.  Notwithstanding  these  precautions,  I  am  afraid  that 
these  sections  will  convey  some  erroneous  impressions. 

The  principal  object  of  these  sections  is  to  exhibit  the  actual  dip  of 
the  strata :  and  this  I  have  endeavored  to  give  without  reference  to 
the  distortions  of  the  surface. 

Systems  of  Strata  and  Mountains  of  Contemporaneous  Elevation  in 
Massachusetts. 

A  careful  examination  of  the  map  and  sections  that  have  just  been 
described,  will  satisfy  any  one,  that  although  the  rocks  of  Massachu- 
setts belong  to  several  distinct  systems  of  elevation,  yet  the  central 
ridge,  or  anticlinal  line  of  not  one  of  these  systems  perhaps,  passes 
through  the  State.  We  may,  therefore,  hope  that  correspondent  parts 
of  these  systems  may  be  discovered  beyond  the  limits  of  the  State. 
But  I  shall  first  endeavor  to  point  out,  as  well  as  I  am  able,  in  chro- 
nological order,  the  different  systems  that  appear  within  the  State. 

A  peculiar  difficulty,  however,  meets  us  in  attempting  to  ascertain  the 
relative  epochs  of  elevation  of  our  strata  :  for  most  of  the  newer  strata 
are  wanting  in  New  England;  or  rather  their  number  is  much  less 
than  in  some  other  parts  of  the  world.  In  the  western  part  of  this  State, 
for  instance,  we  have  only  the  new  red  sandstone  and  a  single  tertiary 
formation,  not  yet  identified  with  any  in  other  parts  of  the  world,  to 
guide  our  enquiries  in  respect  to  the  epochs  of  elevation.  And  in  the 
eastern  parts  of  the  state,  graywacke  alone  affords  us  any  assistance  in- 
this  matter  ;  since  the  plastic  clay  and  every  other  tertiary  formation 
are  so  insulated  from  the  older  rocks,  a's  to  form  no  grounds  for  any 
other  than  hypothetical  conclusions.  For  these  reasons  I  find  it  impos- 
sible to  ascertain  the  exact  place  in  respect  to  time,  which  all  the  sys- 
tems of  elevation,  that  I  think  I  discover  in  the  State,  ought  to  occupy. 
Most  of  these  systems  appear  to  be  of  great  antiquity;  corresponding 
perhaps  with  the  oldest  that  have  been  described  in  Europe. 

1  Oldest  Meridional  System.  The  meeting  of  the  new  red  sand- 
stone of  the  Connecticut  valley  with  the  primary  strataof  Hoosac  moun- 
tain range  in  an  unconformable  manner,  enables  us  to  infer  with  cer- 
tainty, that  the  latter  have  suffered  at  least  two  elevations  at  different 
epochs.  For  the  sandstone  has  a  medium  easterly  dip  of  15°  or  20°; 
while  the  mica  slate,  talcose  slate,  and  gneiss  of  the  Hoosac  range, 
approach  to  verticality  in  their  dip.  Hence  the  latter  must  have  re- 


526  Scientific  Geology. 

ceived  their  principal  elevation  previous  to  the  deposition  of  the  for- 
mer. There  may  have  been  more  than  one  epoch  of  elevation  pre- 
vious to  that  time  :  but  we  are  thus  assured  of  at  least  one  ;  and  the 
very  considerable  inclination  of  the  sandstone  demonstrates  an  epoch 
of  elevation  subsequent  to  its  deposition.  The  last  elevation  seems  not 
to  have  affected  the  primary  strata  on  the  east  side  of  the  Connecticut 
valley,  except  perhaps  to  a  limited  extent  :  for  the  force  that  raised 
the  sandstone  was  so  applied  as  to  lift  up  the  western  edges  of  the 
strata :  and  if  there  had  been  a  similar  force  operating  on  the  eastern 
side  of  the  valley,  their  eastern  edges  would  also  have  been  thrown 
up,  at  least  so  as  to  keep  them  in  a  horizontal  situation,  if  not  to  give 
them  a  westerly  dip. 

All  the  primary  strata,  therefore,  in  Massachusetts,  west  of  the  val- 
ley of  Worcester,  whose  direction  is  north  and  south,  I  regard  as  be- 
longing to  the  oldest  meridional  system  :  and  such  is  the  general  di- 
rection of  all  the  strata  west  of  Worcester,  with  the  exception  per- 
haps of  the  argillaceous  slate,  and  associated  strata  in  the  north  part 
of  Franklin  County,  whose  situation  will  be  more  particularly  no- 
ticed farther  on.  The  Worcester  County  range  of  strata  may  not,  in- 
deed, have  been  elevated  at  the  same  time  as  the  Hoosac  range :  but  I 
know  of  no  facts  that  will  prove  that  they  wrere  not  raised  at  the  same 
epoch ;  and  since  the  direction  of  the  strata  coincides,  we  must  refer 
them  to  the  same  epoch  until  counter  evidence  be  produced. 

I  think  that  an  examination  of  the  annexed  sections  will  lead  to 
the  impression  that  the  elevating  force,  or  rather  the  force  of  plica- 
tion, which  has  formed  the  ridges  and  furrows  of  the  system  under 
consideration,  must  have  operated  in  such  a  manner  as  to  raise  up 
the  mountain  ridges  on  the  east  and  west  sides  of  the  Connecticut  valley, 
much  higher  originally  than  the  valley  :  for  amid  all  the  irregularity 
that  is  manifest  in  the  dip  of  the  gneiss  range  east  of  that  valley,  we 
see  that  the  predominant  inclination,  particularly  towards  the  central 
and  southern  parts  of  the  State,  is  westerly ;  while  on  the  \vest  side 
of  the  valley,  it  is  the  reverse ;  although  nearly  vertical.  This 
does  not  prove  that  the  part  now  occupied  by  the  valley  suffered 
a  depression  at  the  epoch  under  consideration.  For  even  if  we  sup- 
pose it  to  have  been  elevated,  a  valley  would  have  been  the  result, 
if  the  strata  on  the  east  and  west  sides  underwent  a  still  greater  degree 
of  elevation.  At  any  rate,  I  think  that  the  actual  dip  of  the  strata  on 
the  opposite  sides  of  this  valley,  render  it  probable  that  it  was  original- 
ly a  valley  of  dislocation  and  not  of  excavation:  although,  as  I  have 


Oldest  Meridional  System  527 

argued  in  other  parts  of  this  report,  extensive  excavations  may   have 
subsequently  taken  place  within  its  limits. 

The  fact  that  the  rocks  of  Berkshire  valley  have  a  less  dip  than 
those  of  the  Hoosac  range,  leads  naturally  to  the  inference  that  they, 
like  the  sandstone  in  the  Connecticut  valley,  were  not  elevated  dur- 
ing the  epoch  of  the  oldest  meridional  system.  Yet  their  dip  b  eing 
considerably  greater  than  that  of  the  sandstone,  renders  it  somewhat 
doubtful  whether  the  Berkshire  rocks  were  not  at  least  partially  ele- 
vated earlier  than  the  sandstone :  and  this  fact  excites  a  suspicion 
that  there  may  have  been  three  epochs  of  elevation  in  a  north  and 
south  direction.  The  graywacke,  however,  between  Berkshire  and 
the  Hudson,  has  a  very  high  easterly  dip,  sufficiently  great  to  be  re- 
garded as  belonging  to  the  oldest  meridional  system  and  connected 
with  the  Hoosac  range.  And  it  is  not  difficult  to  conceive  how  a  se- 
ries of  rocks  of  considerable  extent,  forming  only  a  part  of  a  system 
of  elevation,  may  have  been  tilted  up  much  less  than  the  group  gen- 
erally. So  that  upon  the  whole,  I  am  greatly  in  doubt  whether  the 
Berkshire  rocks  ought  to  be  referred  to  the  oldest  or  the  latest  merid- 
ional system. 

In  tracing  this  oldest  meridional  system  beyond  the  limits  of  Mas- 
sachusetts, it  cannot  be  doubted  that  all  that  mountain  range  from  New 
York  to  Canada,  along  the  western  part  of  Connecticut,  Massachu- 
setts, and  Vermont,  called  in  Massachusetts  the  Hoosac  range,  and 
in  Vermont  the  Green  Mountain  range,  constitutes  a  part  of  it.  Nor 
can  there  be  any  more  doubt,  that  a  large  part  of  that  broad  range 
forming  the  eastern  side  of  the  Connecticut  valley,  and  extending  from 
Long  Island  Sound  to  Canada,  at  least  as  far  east  as  a  line  drawn 
from  the  mouth  of  Thames  river  through  Worcester  valley,  belongs 
to  the  same  system.  I  mean,  that  if  the  middle  portions  of  these  two 
ranges  belong  to  the  same  epoch  of  elevation,  so  must  their  prolonga- 
tions north  and  south.  The  eastern  range  embraces  the  highest  land 
in  New  England  ;  including  Wachusett,  Monadnock,  and  the  White 
Mountains.  Since  these  ranges,  however,  have  not  been  particularly 
described  in  New  Hampshire  and  Vermont,  other  systems  of  eleva- 
tion maty  there  be  connected  with  that  under  consideration.  But  the 
continuity  of  these  ridges  renders  it  almost  certain  that  the  oldest  me- 
ridional system  extends  from  one  extremity  to  the  other. 
.  According  to  the  best  maps,  the  most  elevated  parts  of  the  two  ran- 
ges that  have  been  described,  are  arranged  on  a  line  bearing  a  few 
degrees  east  of  north.  My  own  observations  on  limited  portions  of 


528  Scientific  Geology. 

their  strata  in  Massachusetts,  have  not  been  accurate  enough  to  de- 
cide as  to  their  course  within  a  few  degrees.  I  have  found  the  di- 
rection of  the  strata  to  correspond  very  nearly  with  the  meridian,  ex- 
cept in  anomalous  cases. 

Beaumont  in  his  Recherches  sur  quelques-unes  des  Revolutions  de 
la  surface  du  Globe,*  notices  cursorily  the  system  that  has  now  been 
described;  and  he  remarks  that  "without  doubt  it  belongs  to  an  epoch 
more  ancient  than  that  of  the  northeast  and  southwest  beds  that  con- 
stitute the  Alleganys  properly  so  called."  He  however  makes  no 
distinction  between  what  I  call  the  oldest  and  the  newest  meridional 
system;  not  being  aware  probably  of  any  evidence  of  two  epochs  of 
elevation. 

In  New  Jersey  and  Delaware  primary  ranges  have  been  described, 
running  nearly  north  and  south,  which  have  been  regarded  as  a  pro- 
longation of  those  along  the  banks  of  the  Hudson  and  the  Connecti- 
cut. They  ought  rather  to  be  regarded  as  parallel  ridges,  belonging 
however  to  the  same  system  :  and  from  some  hasty  observations  which 
I  made  several  years  ago  in  New  Jersey,  I  am  disposed  to  believe 
that  the  new  red  sandstone  there,  occupies  the  same  relative  situation 
with  respect  to  the  primary  rocks,  as  in  the  Connecticut  valley. 

Examining  the  map  of  America,  we  perceive  that  a  considerable 
part  of  the  Rocky  Mountains  have  a  north  and  south  direction,  and 
that  such  is  the  general  direction  of  the  Andes,  as  well  as  of  several 
ridges  in  South  America  east  of  the  Andes :  and  we  know  that  some 
of  these  ranges  at  least,  are  mainly  composed  of  primary  rocks.  But 
in  every  case,  except  some  of  the  ridges  last  named,  their  difference 
of  longitude  is  so  great  as  to  render  it  extremely  uncertain  whether 
they  were  elevated  at  the  same  epoch  as  the  system  that  has  been  un- 
der consideration. 

2.      The  Trap  System. 

The  circumstances  connected  with  the  greenstone  ridges  in  the 
Valley  of  the  Connecticut,  are  such  as  to  lead  me,  with  not  a  little 
hesitation,  to  regard  them  as  erupted  at  an  epoch  distinct  from  all  the 
periods  in  which  the  other  rocks  in  the  State  have  been  elevated. 
On  page  243,  I  have  suggested  the  reasons  that  lead  to  the  conclu- 
sion that  the  greenstone  began  to  be  protruded  through  the  sandstone 

"Chap.  2,  p.  323. 


The  Trap  System.  529 

during  the  time  when  the  upper  beds  of  the  sandstone  were  deposit- 
ing. Were  it  not  for  the  occurrence  of  a  trap  conglomerate  on  the 
upper  side  of  the  greenstone,  we  might  allow  that  the  greenstone  was 
protruded  at  the  same  time  when  the  sandstone  was  elevated,  or  sub- 
sequent to  that  epoch.  This  'circumstance  proves  that  the  higher 
beds  of  sandstone,  or  at  least  a  part  of  them,  were  deposited  subse- 
quent to  the  elevation  of  the  greenstone  :  otherwise,  how  could  round- 
ed masses  of  the  greenstone  be  found  in  the  conglomerated  sandstone. 
But  in  several  places,  as  at  Turner's  Falls,  and  on  the  southeast  side 
of  mount  Holyoke,  these  higher  strata  of  sandstone  are  much  more 
tilted  up  than  those  beneath  the  gre'enstone:  which  seems  to  indicate 
that  this  latter  rock  forced  its  way  through  the  sandstone  after  the  de- 
position of  the  upper  beds.  These  facts  I  confess  are  difficult  to  be 
reconciled  :  But  they  prove  I  think,  that  the  greenstone  was  eleva- 
at  a  period  (more  probably  at  more  than  one  period,)  different  from 
that  when  the  sandstone  was  thrown  up. 

The  prevailing  easterly  dip  of  the  sandstone  containing  these 
ridges  of  greenstone  could  not  have  been  the  result  of  the  protrusion, 
of  the  latter  rock :  for  the  beds  below  the  greenstone,  are,  for  the 
most  part,  quite  as  much  inclined  as  those  above  it.  This  proves  that 
some  other  agency  must  have  raised  the  sandstone  ;  except  in  those 
few  cases  alluded  to  above,  where  the  greenstone  seems  to  have  in- 
creased the  inclination  of  the  strata.  Hence  only  the  sandstone  in 
these  limited  spots  can  be  regarded  as  belonging  to  this  system  of  ele- 
vation ]  and  it  embraces  only  the  trap  ranges  extending  from  New 
Haven  to  Vermont.  These,  as  may  be  seen  on  Plate  XV,  run  in 
general  a  few  degrees  east  of  north. 

I  have  in  another  place  noticed  a  limited  deposit  of  new  red  sand- 
stone and  greenstone  in  Woodbury  and  Southbury  Ct.  This  forma- 
tion resembles  exceedingly  the  analagous  sandstone  and  greenstone 
in  the  valley  of  the  Connecticut.  The  direction  of  the  ridges  of 
greenstone  in  the  Woodbury  valley  corresponds  very  nearly,  also, 
with  that  of  the  trap  in  the  Connecticut  valley;  indicating  a  synchro- 
nous protrusion.  I  omitted  in  treating  of  new  red  sandstone  to  no- 
tice a  similar  formation,  about  60  miles  long  and  30  broad,  in  New 
Jersey ;  and  extending  northerly  into  New  York,  at  least  as  far  as 
the  Palisadoeson  the  Hudson.*  Prominent  ridges  of  greenstone  in- 
tersect this  formation,  running  from  north  to  south,  and  resting  on 

*  Pierce  in  Am.  Journal  of  Science,  Vol.  2.  p.  181. 

67 


530  Scientific  Geology. 

sandstone,  shale,  and  conglomerates.  Indeed,  taken  as  a  whole  the 
rocks  of  this  region  extremely  resemble  those  in  the  basin  of  the 
Connecticut.  The  inclination  of  the  sandstone,  however,  is  in  gen- 
eral rather  less  in  New  Jersey,  and  it  is  westerly ;  that  is,  in  a  direc- 
tion contrary  to  that  of  the  sandstone  of  the  Connecticut  valley. 
Consequently,  the  mural  faces  of  the  greenstone  ridges  in  the  latter 
valley,  are  on  the  west  side  of  the  ranges  ;  while  in  New  Jersey, 
they  are  on  the  east  side.  But  this  does  not  militate  at  all  against  the 
conclusion  that  the  trap  ranges  in  the  two  formations  belong  to  the 
same  system  of  elevation.  It  merely  renders  it  probable  that  an  axis 
of  elevation,  or  anticlinal  line,  lies  between  them. 

3.   The  Latest  Meridional  System. 

I  have  presented  the  reasons  that  lead  me  to  suppose  the  Hoosac 
mountain  range  to  have  been  elevated  a  certain  distance  before  the 
deposition  of  the  new  red  sandstone.  But  the  inclination  of  that 
rock  shows  that  subsequent  to  its  deposition  a  second  elevation  has 
taken  place  in  the  same  range.  The  smallness  of  the  dip  in  the  sand- 
stone proves  that  this  second  elevation  must  have  been  small  compar- 
ed with  that  which  had  been  previously  accomplished  in  the  primary 
strata  west  of  Connecticut  river.  Yet  there  is  every  reason  to  believe 
that  this  second  elevating  force  acted  on  all  the  rocks  between  Con- 
necticut and  Hudson  rivers,  and  probably  on  those  farther  west.  And 
very  probably  much  of  the  greenstone  in  the  Connecticut  valley  was 
lifted  up  along  with  the  sandstone.  Hence  we  are  to  include  in  this 
system  all  the  rocks  between  Connecticut  and  Hudson  rivers  ;  proba- 
bly the  whole  distance  between  Long  Island  Sound  and  Canada. 
But  there  is  no  evidence  that  the  primary  rocks  east  of  Connecticut 
river,  which  I  have  included  in  the  oldest  meridional  system,  except 
in  one  or  two  cases  of  limited  extent,  were  affected  by  this  second  ele- 
vating agency.  For  if  such  had  been  the  case,  to  as  great  an  extent 
as  on  the  western  side  of  the  Connecticut,  the  sandstone  would  either 
have  been  elevated  without  losing  its  horizontal  position,  or  it  would 
have  been  tilted  up  so  as  to  dip  in  opposite  directions  on  opposite  sides 
of  the  valley.  If  then  the  primary  strata  east  of  the  river  were  af- 
fected at  the  epoch  under  consideration,  it  must  have  been  in  a  much 
less  degree  than  the  strata  west  of  the  river. 

There  is,  however,  in  one  place,  striking  evidence  that  an  eleva- 
tion has  taken  place  in  the  gneiss  east  of  Connecticut  river,  since  the 
deposition  of  the  sandstone.  I  refer  to  the  section  which  I  have  giv- 


The  latest  Meridional  System.  53 1 

en  in  treating  of  greenstone,  which  extends  from  the  greenstone  ridg- 
es west  of  Turner's  falls,  to  the  primary  strata  bounding  the  eastern 
side  of  the  valley.  The  change  in  the  direction  of  the  dip  of  the  sand- 
stone as  we  approach  the  primary  strata,  can  be  explained  only  by 
supposing  an  elevation  of  those  strata  after  the  deposition  of  the  sand- 
stone. At  least,  the  evidence  that  such  was  the  cause  of  this  anoma- 
lous dip,  is  as  strong  as  the  evidence  that  at  the  other  end  of  the  sec- 
tion the  protrusion  of  the  greenstone  has  occasioned  the  increased  dip 
of  the  sandstone.  But  it  is  easy  to  conceive  how  a  protrusion  of  gra- 
nite might  have  taken  place  in  particular  places,  (and  the  section 
shows  that  granite  is  associated  with  the  gneiss  at  the  mouth  of  Mil- 
ler's river,)  and  have  powerfully  affected  the  incumbent  strata  for  a 
small  distance,  without  producing  a  perceptible  effect  over  regions  of 
great  extent.  And  upon  the  whole,  I  am  inclined  thus  to  explain  the 
case  that  has  been  referred  to. 

In  the  Connecticut  Valley  no  rock  intervenes  between  the  new  red 
sandstone  and  the  newest  tertiary.  The  strata  of  the  latter  are  hori- 
zontal, and  were  therefore  deposited  subsequent  to  the  elevation  of  the 
system  under  consideration.  Hence  we  can  only  say,  that  the  period 
when  this  system  was  developed,  was  that  which  intervened  between 
the  deposition  of  the  sandstone  and  the  newest  tertiary.  Beaumont, 
however,  who  speaks  of  this  system,  as  it  appears  in  New  Jersey  and 
Delaware,  says,  that  there,  "  the  chalk  formation  covers  the  prolon- 
gation of  the  ancient  beds,  which  are  elevated  in  a  nearly  north  and 
south  direction,  and  which  form  the  borders  of  Connecticut  and  the 
river  Hudson."  If  he  means,  as  I  suppose  he  does,  that  the  chalk 
formation  in  those  states  is  not  dislocated  nor  elevated,  it  will  follow 
that  the  epoch  of  elevation  of  this  system  occurred  between  the  de- 
position of  the  sandstone  and  the  chalk. 

4.    The  North  East  and  South  West  System. 

This  system  embraces  in  my  opinion  a  considerable  part  of  the  mi- 
ca slate  in  the  valley  of  Worcester,  all  the  northern  part  of  the  gneiss 
range,  which  on  the  east  side  of  that  valley  trends  away  to  the 
north  east,  and  the  western  part  of  the  gray  wacke  formation  with 
the  talco-chloritic  and  mica  slate  in  Cumberland,  Smithfield,  &c. 
The  dip  and  direction  of  the  strata  in  the  gneiss  range  exhibit,  proba- 
bly, the  most  distinct  type  of  this  system.  They  are  more  uniform 
in  this  range  than  in  any  other  perhaps  in  the  State.  The  direction  is 
nearly  northeast  and  southwest ;  though  I  think  rather  nearer  to  north 


532  Scientific  Geology. 

and  south  than  to  east  and  west.  The  medium  dip  is  from  60°  to  70° 
northwest.  In  the  Worcester  mica  slate,  the  dip  and  direction  are 
much  more  irregular  :  though  for  the  most  part  its  strata  run  nearly 
northeast  and  southwest  and  dip  northwest  at  a  large  angle.  But  to- 
wards the  southern  part  of  the  range,  they  run  nearly  north  and  south; 
and  towards  the  northeast  part  of  the  range,  they  run  nearly  east  arid 
west,  conforming  apparently  to  the  curve  which  the  western  margin 
of  the  gneiss  forms.  The  western  part  of  this  mica  slate  range  ap- 
pears to  belong  to  the  oldest  meridional  system  that  has  been  described. 
As  to  theargillaceous  slate,  contained  in  this  formation,  I  suspect  that  al- 
so to  be  connected  with  the  same  meridional  system  :  though  I  have  not 
observed  its  dip  and  direction  in  places  enough  to  enable  me  to  form  a 
very  confident  opinion  on  this  point. 

1  am  strongly  suspicious,  that  the  mica  slate  of  Worcester  Valley, 
will  be  found  to  be  not  perfectly  conformable  in  its  stratification  to  the 
gneiss  on  either  side  of  the  valley ;  in  other  words,  that  the  gneiss 
was  partially  elevated  previous  to  the  deposition  of  the  mica  slate. 
If  so,  that  epoch  of  first  elevation  is  probably  the  oldest  in  Massachu- 
setts. But  there  is  so  much  of  irregularity  in  the  dip  of  this  rock, 
that  I  do  not  presume  to  erect  another  system  upon  so  uncertain  a 
foundation. 

An  inspection  of  Plate  XV,  will  show  clearly  that  the  graywacke 
formation  belongs  to  two  very  distinct  systems  of  elevation:  the  one 
running  nearly  east  and  west,  and  the  other  not  far  from  northeast 
and  southwest.  A  tract  of  some  width,  extending  from  Walpole  to 
Providence,  and  indeed  to  Newport,  belongs  to  the  latter  system;  al- 
though on  the  island  of  Rhode  Island,  there  is  not  a  little  irregularity 
in  the  dip  and  direction.  Obviously  this  part  of  the  graywacke  be- 
longs to  the  northeast  and  southwest  system  under  consideration. 
The  talco-chloritic  slate  in  Cumberland  and  Smithfield,  also,  as  well 
as  a  part  of  the  mica  slate  connected  with  it,  appear  to  belong  to  the 
same  system ;  and  since  the  prevailing  dip  is  southeasterly,  (although 
in  this  there  is  great  irregularity,)  it  would  seem  that  there  may  be 
an  anticlinal  line  between  the  graywacke  and  the  gneiss  east  of  Wor- 
cester which  dips  in  a  contrary  direction. 

Along  the  western  margin  of  the  tongue  of  graywacke  extending  to- 
wards Sherburne,  the  direction  of  the  strata  corresponds  with  this 
system  :  for  example  in  Natick  and  Watertown  :  and  probably  is  to 
be  reckoned  as  a  part  of  it. 

The  tendency  to  a  northeast  and  southwest  direction,  which  1  have 


North  East  and  South  West  System.  533 

observed  in  the  argillaceous  slate  of  Guilford,  Vt.  has  led  me  to  sus- 
pect that  this  also  may  belong  to  the  same  system.  But  to  render  it 
certain,  the  formation  should  be  examined  farther  north,  in  Vermont 
and  New  Hampshire.  The  mica  slate  associated  with  this  clay  slate 
on  the  east  in  the  southwestern  part  of  New  Hampshire,  should  be 
examined  with  the  same  object  in  view  :  for  I  have  observed  this  also 
to  bear  too  much  to  the  northeast  and  southwest  to  belong  to  the  me- 
ridional systems,  except  as  a  local  anomaly. 

I  have  particularly  described  under  sienite,  a  limited  formation  of 
hornblende  slate,  and  mica  slate  in  Whately,  running  in  a  direction 
which  corresponds  nearly  with  the  northeast  and  southwest  system. 
If  I  do  not  misrecollect,  the  same  series  of  rocks,  embracing  serpen- 
tine and  verd  antique  marble,  west  of  New  Haven,  have  a  similar  di- 
rection. Perhaps  both  these  cases  are  insulated  parts  of  this  sys- 
tem. 

I  think  it  most  probable  that  the  northeast  and  southwest  ranges 
which  I  have  now  described,  belong  to  a  very  extensive  system  of  el- 
evation, of  which  the  Allegany  mountains  form  a  part.  Another 
range  of  strata  of  vast  extent,  doubtless  a  part  of  the  same  system, 
can  be  traced  from  the  river  Saguenai,  100  miles  east  of  Quebec,  to 
Lake  Huron.  These  consist  of  gneiss,  mica  slate,  greenstone,  sie- 
nite, &c.  and  have  been  regarded  by  Dr.  Bigsby  as  the  most  recent 
of  the  primary  rocks.*  But  if  we  take  Beaumont  for  authority,  even 
these  extensive  ridges  constitute  but  a  moiety  of  this  system.  It  is 
his  Pyreneo-Appenine  system  :  and  it  includes  the  whole  of  the  Pyr- 
enees, a  part  of  the  Appenines,  the  mountains  of  the  Morea,  a  part 
of  the  Hartz  Mountains,  Mount  Atlas,  and  other  ridges  in  Africa, 
particularly  in  Egypt,  the  Carpathian  Mountains,  Mount  Carmel.  and 
Sinai  in  Palestine,  a  part  of  the  Caucasian  chain,  and  of  the  Ghauts, 
forming  indeed,  a  set  of  parallel  ridges  around  the  whole  globe;  and 
being  the  most  extensive  and  remarkable  system  that  has  yet  been 
traced. 

I  ought  perhaps,  however,  to  suggest  the  possibility,  that  the  rocks  in 
Massachusetts,  which  I  have  described  as  belonging >to  this  system, 
may  be  found  connected  with  some  other.  For  the. strata  certainly 
for  the  most  part,  run  nearer  north  and  south  by  a  few  degrees  than 
the  general  course  of  the  Alleganies. 

I  have  not  found  any  of  the  more  recent  rocks  in  Massachusetts 

*  Philosophical  Magazine  Vol.  2.  N.  Series  p.  219. 


534  Scientific  Geology. 

connected  with  this  system,  by  which  to  judge  of  the  epoch  of  its  el- 
evation. We  could  learn  here  only  that  it  took  place  after  the  depo- 
sition of  the  graywacke.  But  according  to  Beaumont,  it  took  place 
between  the  deposition  of  the  chalk,  and  the  oldest  of  the  tertiary 
strata. 

5.     East  and  West  System. 

This  includes  the  greater  part  of  the  graywacke,  granite,  sienite 
porphyry,  and  greenstone,  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  State  ;  and  prob- 
ably the  gneiss  in  the  vicinity  of  New  Bedford.  Amid  many  anom- 
alies, the  decidedly  predominant  direction  of  the  strata  of  graywacke 
(excepting  the  portions  connected  with  the  last  system,)  is  east  and 
west,  and  the  dip  notherly.  Not  having  made  many  observations  up- 
on the  New  Bedford  gneiss,  and  finding  that  sometimes  its  strata 
tend  northeasterly  and  southwesterly,  I  was  at  first  inclined  to  refer  it 
to  the  last  described  system.  But  more  probably  I  think,  it  should  be 
connected  with  the  system  under  consideration. 

So  limited  is  the  graywacke  in  some  portions  of  the  region  embrac- 
ed by  this  system,  as  I  have  stated  its  boundaries,  that  it  would  be  de- 
sirable to  find  other  evidence  that  the  granite,  sienite,porphyry,  and 
greenstone,  along  the  eastern  part  of  the  state,  belong  to  the  same  sys- 
tem of  elevation.  And  fortunately  this  evidence  is  presented  in  the 
east  and  west  direction  of  nearly  all  the  mountain  ridges  and  chains  of 
hills  composed  of  these  rocks.  The  most  striking  example  of  this 
fact  is  the  Blue  Hills,  made  up  of  sienite  and  porphyry,  and  forming 
the  most  elevated  land  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  State.  The  porphyry 
range  a  little  north  of  Boston  has  the  same  general  direction  ;  and  so 
have  many  smaller  ridges  to  the  south  of  the  Blue  Hills.  In  Sharon, 
Foxborough  &c,  however,  the  sienite  ridges  assume  a  direction  near- 
ly northeast  and  southwest,  or  somewhat  nearer  to  the  meridian  than 
this.  This  is  the  case  with  the  Moose  Hill  range,  for  instance,  which 
is  more  than  400  feet  high,  and  runs  northeast  and  southwest :  and 
this,  with  other  parallel  ridges  in  that  vicinity,  obviously  belong  to 
the  last  system  of  elevation  that  has  been  described.*  And  this  is 
what  we  might  expect,  since  a  portion  of  the  graywacke  running 
through  Walpole  and  Wrenthain,  and  belonging  to  the  northeast  and 
southwest  system,  occupies  the  vallies  between  these  ridges. 

I  have  suggested  in  another  place,  that  the  disturbance  which  the 

*H.  E.  Rogers  in  the  Report  on  the  Providence  and  Boston  Rail  Road,  p.  59  and 
61. 


East  and  West  System.  535 

Plastic  Clay  Formation  on  Martha's  Vineyard  seems  to  have  under, 
gone,  may  have  resulted  from  the  protrusion  of  granite.  If  so,  that 
granite  was  probably  a  portion  of  the  east  and  west  system  under  de- 
scription. According  to  these  data,  the  epoch  of  its  elevation  must 
have  been  subsequent  to  the  deposition  of  the  Plastic  Clay,  and  con- 
sequently later  than  the  epoch  of  the  northeast  and  southwest  system. 
But  I  regard  this  evidence  as  little  better  than  conjecture  ;  and  there- 
fore, I  am  greatly  in  doubt  as  to  the  period  when  this  system  was  ele- 
vated. 

It  is  natural  to  enquire  whether  any  traces  of  this  system  can  be 
discovered  beyond  the  limits  of  Massachusetts.  The  only  means 
I  have  of  forming  any  conjecture  on  the  subject,  consist  of  geo- 
graphical maps,  which  give  the  direction  of  chains  of  mountains : 
and  even  in  this  respect  they  are  so  imperfect,  as  to  the  more  unex- 
plored parts  of  our  continent,  that  they  leave  one  in  much  doubt.  I 
will  only,  therefore,  say,  that  on  our  best  maps,  a  range  of  mountains 
extends  along  the  southern  border  of  Labrador  westward  :  and  that 
such  is  the  direction  of  the  rivers,  which  farther  west  run  on  the 
north  into  Hudson  Bay,  and  on  the  south  into  the  basin  of  the  St. 
Lawrence  and  the  great  western  lakes,  as  to  show  that  the  elevated 
land  if  not  mountain  ridges,  in  which  these  rivers  take  their  rise,  have 
a  direction  nearly  east  and  west.  The  same  is  true  of  the  region  west 
of  lake  Winnipeck,  and  of  a  tract  several  hundred  miles  long,  on  the 
south  side  of  lake  Superior,  in  which  the  waters  that  flow  into  that 
lake  take  their  rise. 

6.  Northwest  and  Southeast  System. 

No  part  of  the  region  embraced  by  the  geological  map  (Plate  I ) 
has  occasioned  me  so  much  perplexity  to  ascertain  the  direction 
of  the  strata,  as  that  in  the  vicinity  of  Blackstone  river,  near  the 
place  where  it  passes  into  Rhode  Island.  The  direction  of  the 
strata  of  gneiss  there,  does  not  generally  differ  much  from  the  usual 
course  of  the  river,  and  the  pretty  uniform  dip  is  northeast.  Yet 
sometimes  we  find  them  running  nearly  east  and  west  and  dipping 
north:  and  this  circumstance  has  led  me  to  enquire,  whether  they 
might  not  in  fact  be  connected  with  the  east  and  west  system.  I  know 
not  that  it  is  yet  settled,  how  much  local  causes  may  alter  the  direc- 
tion of  strata  of  the  same  system  in  different  places.  But  my  present 
impression  is,  that  the  strata  under  consideration  can  hardly  be  con- 
nected with  the  east  and  west  system :  and,  therefore,  I  place  them 


536  Scientific  Geology.  , 

provisionally  under  a  sixth  system.     But  I  possess  no  data  for  forming 
even  a  conjecture  as  to  the  epoch  of  its  elevation. 

In  Dr.  Richardson's  account  of  the  geology  of  the  northwest  part 
of  North  America,  observed  during  the  recent  exploring  tour  under 
Capt.  Franklin,  we  find  him  describing  a  part  of  the  Rocky  Moun- 
tains as  composed  of  four  chains,  terminated  by  the  northern  ocean  to 
the  west  of  Mackenzie's  River,  and  running  about  S.  E.  and  N.  W- 
They  consist  of  primary  rocks:  and  I  mention  them  here,  as  a  pretty 
strong  indication  that  a  system  of  elevation  with  such  a  bearing  exists 
on  this  continent.  Such  a  direction,  however,  is  not  common  in  North 
America  in  our  mountain  chains,  unless  we  go  as  far  south  as  the  isth- 
mus of  Darien. 

In  comparing  the  facts  which  have  now  been  stated  in  regard  to  the 
elevation  of  our  strata,  with  similar  facts  developed  in  Europe,  I  have 
been  led  to  conclude  that  it  is  a  considerably  longer  period  since  the 
elevating  force  has  acted  in  the  United  States  than  in  Europe.  For 
we  have  slight  evidence  of  any  extensive  disturbance  here  since  the 
deposition  of  the  strata  above  the  chalk,  and  not  very  conclusive  evi- 
dence of  such  disturbance  even  so  late  as  the  cretaceous  period: 
Whereas,  in  Europe,  several  systems  of  elevation  are  reckoned  of  a 
later  date.  And  this  conclusion  agrees  with  the  fact  that  volcanic 
agency  has  not  yet  ceased  on  the  eastern  continent,  but  in  the  United 
States,  no  traces  of  its  action,  since  the  earth  assumed  its  present  state, 
have  been  discovered.  For  if  I  mistake  not,  the  existence  of  volca- 
noes in  any  region,  indicates  less  thickness  in  the  crust  of  the  globe 
than  in  other  places  ;  since  the  melted  matter  would  be  forced  through 
the  envelope  where  it  is  thinest.  Accordingly,  the  only  experiments 
that  have  been  made  in  the  United  states  upon  internal  temperature, 
indicate  a  less  rapid  increase  as  we  descend  into  the  earth  here,  than 
in  Europe;  and  consequently  a  greater  thickness  of  the  earth's  crust 
on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic. 

All  this  would  lead  to  the  conclusion  that  our  western  continent  is 
older  than  the  eastern  :  at  least  that  such  is  the  fact  with  its  Atlantic 
border.  Beaumont,  however,  seems  to  be  of  a  different  opinion.  It 
appears  "  says  he,  from  the  description  of  Messrs,  Vanuxem  and  Mor- 
ton, that  the  ancient  level,  traced  on  the  flancs  of  the  Alleganies  by 
the  tertiary  deposits  and  the  alluvia,  anterior  to  that  of  existing 
streams,  which  cover  their  base,  is  no  longer  horizontal.  It  rises 
gradually  from  New  England  to  the  Mississippi,  so  that  at  the  Isle  of 
Nantucket  it  plunges  beneath  the  level  of  the  ocean ;  and  from  that 


Ancient  Deluges.  537 

point  even  to  Greenland,  no  tertiary  deposit  has  been  discovered  along 
the  coast.  It  follows  that  the  American  continent  has  experienced  a 
sort  of  see-saw  movement,  (mouvement  de  bascule,)  which  has  raised 
its  western  side  and  sunk  its  eastern  :  so  that  we  may  attribute  a  very 
recent  origin  to  the  Andes."*  I  confess  myself  rather  sceptical  in 
regard  to  these  conclusions.  But  even  if  it  be  admitted  that  the  west- 
ern side  of  this  continent  is  of  a  comparatively  recent  origin,  it  may 
still  be  true,  that  its  eastern  side  was  elevated  at  a  very  early  period. 

Ancient  Deluges. 

If  it  be  true  that  continents  and  vast  chains  of  mountains  were  ele- 
vated at  different  periods,  and  by  paroxysmal  efforts,  it  is  impossible 
but  that  deluges  of  tremendous  violence  and  universal  extent,  should 
have  been  the  consequence.  Accordingly  we  find  traces  of  such  del- 
uges in  the  vast  beds  of  conglomerates  that  exist  in  the  sedimentary 
deposits ;  and  also  in  the  frequent  extinctions  and  renewals  of  an- 
imal and  vegetable  life,  which  appear  to  have  taken  place  on  the 
globe.  For  such  deluges  must  have  been  fatal  to  organized  exis- 
tence :  at  least  to  a  great  extent.  But  I  doubt  whether  geology  is  yet 
enough  advanced  to  be  able  to  trace  particular  destructions  of  organ- 
ized beings  to  particular  epochs  of  elevation  with  their  attendant  del- 
uges. In  respect  to  the  rocks  of  Massachusetts,  I  feel  utterly  unable 
to  trace  any  such  connections.  Yet  our  rocks  show  the  occurrence  of 
several  very  powerful  deluges  in  early  times.  The  earliest  of  these, 
by  which  the  materials  of  the  Roxbury  and  Rhode  Island  conglom- 
erates were  accumulated,  must  have  been  of  great  power  :  and  if,  as 
I  suppose,  the  latter  conglomerate  was  deposited  much  earlier  than 
the  former,  two  such  deluges  must  have  been  required.  The  new 
red  sandstone  affords  evidence  of  numerous  deluges  during  its  deposi- 
tion, in  the  numerous  alternations  of  coarse  and  fine  materials  of 
which  it  is  composed.  Two  periods  during  its  production  appear  to 
have  been  particularly  distinguished  for  powerful  diluvial  action. 
In  the  first,  those  conglomerated  beds,  made  up  chiefly  of  the  ruins  of 
granite  and  associated  with  the  lower  beds  of  sandstone,  were  accu- 
mulated. In  the  second,  that  very  coarse  conglomerate,  cheifly  com- 
posed of  various  schists  and  connected  with  the  higher  shales  and 
sandstones,  was  brought  into  its  present  situation.  The  osseous  con- 
glomerate connected  with  the  plastic  clay  indicates  diluvial  action 


*Recherches  &c,  Chap.  2.  p.  321. 
68 


533  Scientific  Geology. 

perhaps,  though  not  of  the  most  violent  kind,  during  the  deposition  of 

this  formation. 

Theory  concerning  the  Force  by  which  Systems  of  Strata  were  elevated 

at  successive  epochs. 

Although  existing  volcanoes  often  occur  at  intervals  along  extensive 
ridges  of  mountains,  yet  there  is  no  evidence  that  such  ridges  have 
been  elevated  by  these  volcanoes.  Indeed,  it  is  difficult  to  conceive 
how  a  volcannic  force  can  operate  except  in  the  direction  of  the  radii 
of  a  circle:  so  that  however  numerous  the  foci,  they  could  not  have 
produced  mountain  ridges  having  a  common  direction  through  several 
degrees  of  the  earth's  surface.  Volcanic  power  then,  in  the  common 
acceptation  of  the  term,  could  not  have  produced  the  systems  of  eleva- 
tion that  have  been  examined. 

If  the  theory  of  internal  heat  be  admitted,  however,  we  are  furnished 
with  a  power  adequate  to  the  production  of  these  systems,  as  ingenious- 
ly suggested  by  Beaumont.  The  outer  crust  of  the  earth,  according 
to  the  doctrines  of  central  heat,  has  nearly  reached  the  limit  of  refrigera- 
tion :  at  least,  it  must  cool  much  slower  now  than  the  internal  parts,  if 
they  are  intensely  heated:  and  consequently,  the  internal  parts  must 
shrink  much  more  than  the  exterior.  Hence  the  envelope  must  from 
time  to  time  become  too  large  to  embrace  the  internal  diminished  parts, 
without  a  suffering  degree  of  plication.  That  is,  in  some  places  the  crust 
will  sink  down,  and  in  other  places  be  thrown  up  into  correspondent 
ridges.  Mere  gravity,  would  produce  this  effect,  unless  the  crust  had 
become  extremely  rigid.  And  a  little  reflection  will  satisfy  any  one, 
that  these  ridges  and  vallies  will  correspond  in  direction  with  the  semi- 
circumference  of  the  globe;  that  is,  with  a  great  circle  upon  it:  And 
such  is  the  direction  which  Beaumont  supposes  every  known  system 
of  strata  has  taken. 

According  to  this  hypothesis,  we  see  how  it  is  that  mountains  should 
be  elevated  at  different  epochs.  For  they  result  from  the  effort  which 
the  crust  of  the  globe  is  caused  to  make,  from  time  to  time,  to  accommo- 
date itself  to  the  continually  diminishing  size  of  the  internal  nucleus. 
Whenever  a  cavity  is  thus  produced  underneath  any  portion  of  the 
crust,  its  weight  will  cause  its  thickest  or  least  rigid  portions  to  sink  down 
upon  the  heated  and  it  may  be  fluid  nucleus,  and  this  will  produce  a 
lateral  pressure  sufficientto  elevate  adjoining  portions;  while  the  weight 
of  the  depressed  portion  will  force  the  fluid  matter  into  the  cavities  pro- 
duced by  the  elevations;  and  it  may  be,  even  cause  it  to  be  erupted 
through  the  ruptured  summits  of  the  ridges  :  thus  producing  unstrati- 


Concluding    Remarks.  539 

fied  rocks,  along  extensive  lines,  and  not  from  circular  craters,  as  lava 
is  now  erupted  from  volcanoes.  A  change  of  this  kind  having  been 
effected,  all  would  remain  quiet  until  the  secular  refrigeration  had  pro- 
duced other  cavities;  when  a  renewal  of  the  same  process  would  take 
place.  And  I  think  it  easy  to  conceive,  that  a  long  series  of  such 
changes  might  take  place  without  so  sensibly  diminishing  the  magni- 
tude of  the  globe,  that  astronomers  should  be  able  to  perceive  their 
effects  on  the  earths  rotatory  motion  through  decades  of  centuries. 
For  the  elevation  would  nearly  equal  the  depression. 

From  this  view  of  the  subject,  it  would  appear  that  gravity  has 
been  the  principal  force  employed  to  elevate  systems  of  mountains. 
This,  in  consequence  of  the  diminished  size  of  the  internal  nucleus 
of  the  globe,  would  produce  a  lateral  pressure  on  both  sides  of  that 
portion  of  the  crast  which  was  depressed,  sufficient  to  elevate  adjoin- 
ing portions ;  and  to  force  up  melted  matter  beneath  and  even  through 
the  ridges  ;  and  thus  the  ultimate  effects  would  he  precisely  like  that 
of  an'  expansive  force  within  the  earth  ;  except  that  it  would  operate 
along  extended  lines  and  not  in  circular  foci. 

I  am  aware  that  many  of  the  views  of  Beaumont,  which  I  have 
attempted  briefly  to  develope,  have  been,  and  are  now,  ably  and 
warmly  opposed  by  Boue  and  other  geologists  no  less  distinguished. 
All,  however,  agree,  I  believe,  that  different  formations,  and  consequent- 
ly different  mountain  masses,  have  been  elevated  at  different  epochs  ; 
which  I  regard  as  the  fundamental  and  most  important  principle  con- 
cerned. Even  if  it  be  proved  that  distant  parallel  mountain  chains  were 
not  of  synchronous  elevation,  (which  is  the  principal  point  at  issue,)  it 
cannot  materially  affect  the  value  of  Beaumonts  researches.  He  cer- 
tainly has  the  merit  of  bringing  together  all  that  was  known  on  this  sub- 
ject and  of  deducing  from  thence  some  masterly  generalizations, 
which  must  be  regarded  as  forming  an  interesting  epoch  in  geology. 

Concluding  Remarks. 

In  drawing  to  a  conclusion  this  protracted  Report  on  the  Geology 
of  Massachusetts,  it  is  natural  to  pause  and  look  back  upon  my  labor. 
And  I  freely  acknowledge  that  its  great  deficiency  and  imperfection 
are  its  most  striking  features.  I  cannot,  indeed,  accuse  myself  of  a 
want  of  diligence  and  effort  to  accomplish  the  objects  of  my  appoint- 
ment. It  is  now  a  little  more  than  three  years  since  I  received  my 
commission;  and  during  that  period,  in  addition  to  the  ordinary  la- 
bors of  my  profession,  I  have  traveled  4550  miles  for  geological  pur- 


540  Scientific  Geology. 

poses,  and  collected  for  the  Government  and  for  the  three  Colleges  in 
the  State,  not  less  than  5000  specimens  of  rocks  and  minerals : 
1550  of  which  belong  to  the  Government  collection.*  Yet  I  can- 
not but  perceive  great  imperfections  and  deficiencies  in  my  account  of 
our  rocks:  and  I  have  become  more  and  more  impressed  with  the  idea, 
that  a  much  longer  period  was  indispensable  to  enable  any  man  to 
obtain  a  full  and  complete  account  of  the  geology  and  mineralogy  of 
nearly  8000  square  miles  of  surface,  so  diversified  as  Massachusetts. 
Indeed,  had  I  not,  previous  to  receiving  my  commission,  traveled 
nearly  as  far,  and  obtained  nearly  as  much  information  relative  to  our 
geology,  as  since  that  period,  my  report  could  hardly  have  been  toler- 
able —  if  it  be  so  now.  As  it  is,  I  can  regard  it  only  as  a  commence- 
ment of  the  work  of  exploring  our  rocks  and  minerals.  The  field 
yet  remains  open  for  the  admission  of  other  and  more  able  laborers, 
who  I  doubt  not  may  reap  many  an  abundant  harvest.  If  my  efforts 
shall  aid  or  encourage  those  who  may  come  after  me,  they  will  not 
have  been  made  in  vain. 

I  cannot  close  without  expressing  to  your  Excellency,  how  gratifi- 
ing  it  has  been  to  me,  to  act  in  this  whole  business,  under  the  direc- 
of  one  whose  views  have  been  so  liberal  in  regard  to  it ;  whose  coun- 
sels and  instructions  have  been  so  judicious  and  encouraging  ;  and 
whose  personal  attention  and  kindness  have  laid  me  under  very  strong 
obligations. 

Nor  can  I  omit  to  mention  the  universal  disposition  which  I  have 
found  manifested  by  all  classes  of  the  citizens  of  the  Commonwealth, 
and  in  every  part  of  it,  to  do  all  in  their  power  to  forward  the  objects  of 
my  commission.  This  is  among  the  circumstances  that  gave  so  much 
interest  to  all  my  geological  tours,  and  renders  the  retrospect  of  them 
among  the  most  delightful  recollections  of  my  life.  The  excursions, 
I  am  happy  to  confess,  have  greatly  exalted  my  opinion  of  the  kind- 
ness, intelligence,  and  happy  condition  of  our  population,  and  sensibly 
increased  my  attachment  to  my  native  State. 

Finally,  and  above  all,  I  would  not  close  without  acknowledging 
my  supreme  obligations  to  Him  whose  providential  care  and  kindness 
have  followed  me  in  all  my  wanderings,  not  permitting  even  a  hair  of 
my  head  to  be  injured  ;  and  who  has  enabled  me  to  bring  at  length 
to  a  conclusion,  one  of  the  most  laborious  enterprises  of  my  days. 
To  Him  I  desire  to  consecrate  the  fruits  of  this  labor  and  of  all  the 

*  Instead  of  1200,  as  stated  on  pag-e  3. 


Concluding  Remarks.  541 

subsequent  labors  of  life.  And  should  they  prove  even  slightly  in- 
strumental in  promoting  human  knowledge  and  happiness  —  two 
grand  objects  of  the  Divine  Benevolence — I  know  that  they  will  be  ac- 
cepted. 

Respectfully  Submitted, 

EDWARD  HITCHCOCK. 
Amherst  College,  September  1,  1833. 


PART  IV. 

A     CATALOGUE 

OF    THE 

ANIMALS    AND    PLANTS 

IN 

MASSACHUSETTS. 

To  His  EXCELLENCY  LEVI  LINCOLN  ESQ. 

GOVERNOR  OF  MASSACHUSETTS. 

IN  executing  the  part  of  my  commission  which  directed  me  to  fur- 
nish catalogues  "  of  the  native  mineralogical  botanical  and  zoological 
productions  of  the  Commonwealth,"  I  have  been  greatly  dependant 
upon  the  assistance  of  several  gentleman  distinguished  for  their  ac- 
quaintance with  particular  branches  of  natural  history.  Their  names 
will  be  found  prefixed  to  the  catalogues  which  they  have  furnished. 
And  I  take  this  opportunity  to  testify  to  the  prompt  and  liberal  man- 
ner in  which  they  have  executed  this  difficult  task.  I  ought  also  to 
remark,  that  the  catalogues  which  follow,  being  for  the  most  part  the 
first  that  have  been  attempted  in  this  quarter  of  the  country,  cannot 
be  supposed  perfect  or  complete.  They  are  sufficiently  so,  however, 
to  furnish  a  great  amount  of  new  and  valuable  information  respecting 
the  organized  beings  found  within  the  limits  of  the  State. 

In  respect  to  the  minerals  of  the  State,  I  have  found  it  more  conve- 
nient to  give  an  account  of  them  in   describing  the  several  rocks  in 
which  they  occur,  and  also  in  the  Tabular  View  of  the  rocks  ;  and  I 
judge  it  wholly  unnecessary  to  repeat  the  list  in  this  place. 
Respectfully  Submitted, 

EDWARD   HITCHCOCK. 

Amherst  College,  October  1.   1833. 


544  Animals  in  Massachusetts. 


I.     MAMMALIA. 

OR  ANIMALS  WHICH  SUCKLE  THEIR  YOUNG. 

In  preparing  the  following  Catalogue  of  our  mammiferous  animals, 

I  have  been  permitted  to  make  free  use  of  notes  kindly  furnished  by 
Dr.  T.  W.  Harris ;  a  gentleman  so  well  known  as  an  accurate  zool- 
ogist, that  the  value  of  this  Catalogue  would  have  been  much  enhanc- 
ed, could  he  have  been  persuaded  to  make  it  entirely  his  own. 

ORDER  1.  CARNASSIERS. 

Vespertilio  pruinosus,  Say.     Hoary  Bat. 

Noveboracensis,  Linnaeus.     Red  or  New  York  Bat. 
Sorex  brevicaudus,  S.     Short  tail  Shrew, 
Scalops  Canadensis,  Cuvier.     Mole. 
Condylura  cristata,  Desmarest.     Star-nose  Mole, 

macroura,  Harlan.     Thick-tailed  star-nose  Mole. 
Ursus  American  us,  Pallas.     Slack  Bear,  * 
Procyon  lotor,  L.     Raccoon. 
Gulo  luscus,  L.     Wolverene.'* 
Mustela  (Putorius)  vulgaris,  L.     Weasel  t 
erminea,  L.    Ermine.\\ 

Canadensis,  L.     Fisher  Weasel.     (Dr.  Emmons) 
?  martes,  L.     Pine  Martin. 

vison.  L.   (lutreola,  Harlan  and  Godman.)     Mink. 
Mephitis  Americana,  Desmarest.     Skunk. 

Lutra  Canadensis,  Sabine.  (Brasiliensis,  Harlan  and  Godman.)     Land  Otter. 
Canis  (Lupus)  occidentals,  Richardson.      Wolf. 

( Vulpes)  fulvus,  D.     Red-Fox. 

virgiuianus,  Gmeliu.  (cinereo-argentatus,  Say  and  Godman.)  Gray- 
Fox. 
1  Pelis  concolor,  L.     Cougar,  Panther,  Painter  or  Catamount. 

Canadensis,  Geoffrey.     Lynx,  or  Wild-Cat. 
Phoca  vitulina,  L.     Common,  or  hair-Seal. 

cristata,  L.     Hooded- Seal. 

ORDER  2.  RODENTIA. 

?  Castor  fiber,   L.     Beaver. 

Fiber  zibethecus,  L.     Musquash. 

?  Arvicola  Pennsylvanica,  Ord.     Meadow-Mouse. 

Mus  decurnanus,  Pallas.     Common  Brown,  or  Norway-Pat,  Wharf-flat,  and    Wa- 

ter-Rat. 

rattus,   L.     Black-Rat. 

musculus,  L.     Mouse. 

?  leucopus,  Rafine;que.     (agrarius,  Godman  )     Field  Mouse. 

Gerbillus  (Meriones)  Canadonsis,  D.     Jumping  Mouse. 
Arctomys  monax,  Gmelin.      Woodchuck. 
Sciurus  cinereus,  L      Cat  &iuirrel, 

*  The  long-legged  variety  is  most  common  on  Hoosac  mountain,  but  the  shoi  t- 
legged  variety  has  been  killed  there  according  to  Dr.  Emmons. 

t  On  Hoosac  mountain  rare — Dr.  Emmons. 

JThe  Weasel  becomes  white  in  the  winter  like  the  ermine,  from  which  it  is  not 
distinguished  by  hunters. 

II  The  ermine  in  its  summer  dress,  greatly  resembles  the  weasel. 


Birds.  545 

Scuirus  Carolinensis,  Gmelin.     Gray  Squirrel. 

nig-er,  L.     Black  Squirrel. 

Hudsonius,  Gmelin.     Chickaree  or  Red  Squirrel. 
(Tamias)  striatus,  Klein  (Lystsri,    Ray,   and  Richardson)     Striped  or 

Ground  Squirrel. 

Pteromys  volucella,  L.     Flying  Squirrel. 
Hystrix  pilosus,  Catesby.     (dorsata  L.)     Porcupine. 
Lepus  Americanus,  Gmelin.     Rabbit,  or  Hare* 

Virg-inianus,  Harlan.  (variabilis,  Godman)  Varying  Hare. 

ORDER  3.  RUMINANTIA. 

Cervus  Virginianus,  Gmelin.     Common,  or  Fallow  Deer. 

ORDER  4.  CETACEA. 

Delphinus  Delphis,  L.     Grampus  or  Porpus.t 

(Phocsena)  gladiator.  Lacepede.     Killer,  Sabre-finned  Dolphin,  or  Sword 

Fish. 
Balaena  mysticetus,  L.      Common  Whole. 

Note.  Ii  is  doubtful  whether  the  animals,  to  the  names  of  which  this  character  (?) 
is  prefixed,  do  now  exist  within  the  limits  of  Massachusetts  ;  all  of  them,  except 
Must^la  martes,  Arvicola  Pennsylvania,  and  Mus  leucopus,  undoubtedly  once  had 
here  a  "  local  habitation  " 


II.  BIRDS. 

BY  EBENEZER  EMMONS,  M.  D. 

Professor  of  Natural  History  in  Williams  College. 
Explanations  and  Abbreviations. 

||  placed  before  a  species  denotes  that  it  is  a  summer  and  winter  resident. 

IT  marks  *he  rare  species. 

§  shews  that  it  is  a  regular  visitant,  and  breeds  in  this  climate. 

f  shews  that  it  is  an  occasional  visitant. 

L. — Linnaeus.     Briss.     Brisson.     Gmelin 

Lath.— Latham.     111.— Illiger.     Cuv.— Cuvier.     Vieill.— Vieillot 

Temm.     Temminck.     Ranz. — Ranzani.     Latr. — Latreille. 

Wils.— Wilson.     Bon.— Bonaparte. 

SUB  CLASS  I. 

Hind  toe  articulated  on  the  same  plane  with  the  foretoes,  aud  bearing  on  the 
ground  the  whole  length,  formed  for  grasping. 

ORDER  I.  ACCIPITRES. 

Jlccipitres.      L.      Gm.      Lath.      Cuv.      Vieill.      Raptatores,   111.      Rapaces 
Temm.     Latr.     Ranz. 

*  This  animal  is  almost  universally  called  a  Rabbit,  though  it  is,  strictly 
speaking,  a  Hare,  and  never  burrows  like  a  Rabbit. 

f  Not  unfrequently  but  improperly  called  Porpus.  It  is  the  true  Dolphin  of 
the  ancients,  but  not  the  Dolphin  of  Seamen,  which  is  the  Coryphaena  pur- 
purea. 

69 


546  Animals  of  Massachusetts. 

Falco. 

1f  fulvus,     Ring-toiled  Eagle. 

IT  leuco  cephalus,  L.     Bald  Eagle. 

haliaetus,  L.  Fish  Hawk.  Makes  its  visits  up  the  Hoosicinthe  Spring, 
sparverius,    L.  Sparrow  Hawk. 
columbarius,    L.  Pigeon  Hawk. 
palumbarius,  L.     Goshawk. 

velox,    Wils.  Slate-colored  Hawk.  Common.  Arrives  March  20th. 
lagopus,     L.  Rough-legged  Falcon. 
||  borealis,     Gm.     Red-tailed  Hawk.  1  Common.  Prepares  its  nest 

)  early  in  March, 
y  hiemalis,     Gm.  Wils.     Winter-Falcon. 

Strix. 

tlT  funerea,  Gm.     Hawk  Owl.     Autumn. 

||  1T  virginiana,  Gm.     Great-horned  Owl.     Inhabits  the  mountains. 

§  otus,     L.     Long-eared  Owl. 

§  brachyotus,     Gm.     Short-eared  Owl.     Common. 

IT  ||  Acadica,     Gm.     Little  Owl. 

ORDER  II.  PASSERES. 

TRIBE    I.    SCANSORES. 

FAMILY  AMPH1BOLI. 
Coccijzus.     Vieill.     Temm.     Ranz.     Cuv. 

Cuculus.     L.     Briss.     Gm.     Lath.     111. 

§  Americanus,     Bon.     Yellow-billed  Cuckoo. 

§  erythrophthalmus.     Black-billed  Cuckoo. 

FAMILY  SAGITTILINGUES. 
Picus.     L.     Briss.     Gm.     Lath.     &c. 

1  Common. — Arrives 

§  auratus,     L.     Golden-winged  woodpecker.       v  about  Ap.    10th.  and 

3  migrates  south  in  Oct 

||  pileatus,     L.     Pileated  Woodpecker. 

§  .  erythrocephalus,     L.     Red-headed  Woodpecker. 

t  Carolinus,  L.  Red-bellied  Woodpecker*  Common  near  Rochester  NY 

§  varius,     L.     Yellow-bellied  Woodpecker. 

||  villosus,     L.     Hairy  Woodpecker. 

||  pubescens,     L.     Downy  Woodpecker. 

TRIBE    2.    AMBULATORES. 

FAMILY  ANGULIROSTES,  111. 

Alcedo  L.     Gm.     Lath. 

*  alcyon,     L.     Belted  King  Fisher. 

FAMILY  GREGARII. 

Sturnus    L.     Briss.     Gm. 

§  Ludovicianus,     L.     Meadow  Lark.     Arrives  about  March  13th. 

Icterus     Briss.     Temm.     Ranz. 

5  Baltimore,     Dand.     Baltimore  Oriole. 

St  spurius,     Bon.     Orchard  Oriole. 

*  Takes  the  place  of  the  P.  auratus  in  the  Western  part  of  the  State  of  New  York. 


Birds.  547 

§  phoeniceus,     Band.     Red  Winged  Starling.     March  20th. 

§  pecoris,     L.     Cow  Banting. 

§  agripennis,     Bon.     Rice  Banting. 

Quiscalus     Vieill. 

§  versicolor,     Vieill.     Purple  Grakle. 

ferrugineus,     Bon.     Rusty  Grakle. 

Corvus     L.     Gm.     Lath.     Cuv. 

||  corone,     L.     Crow. 

cristatus,     L.    Blue  Jay. 

FAMILY  SER1CATI. 

Bombycilla,     Briss.  111. 

§  Carolinensis,     Briss.     Cedar  Bird. 

FAMILY  CHELTDONES. 

Caprimulgus     L.     Briss.     Gm.     Lath. 

§  vociferus,     Wils.      Whip-p&or-will. 

§  Virginianus,    Briss.     Night-Hawk.     Arrives  March  20th. 

Cypsdus.     Temm. 

§  pelasgius,     Temm.     Chimney  Swallow. 

Hirundo     L.     Briss.     Gm.     Lath. 

§  purpurea,     L.     Purple  Martin. 

§  rufa,     Gm.     Barn  Swallow.     Arrives  April  20th. 

§  fulva,     Vieill.     Rocky  Mountain  Swallow.         Common. 

§  riparia,  L.     Bank  Swalloio. 

FAMILY  CANOR1.     111. 

Muscicapa     Briss.     111.     L.     Gm. 

§  tyrannus,  Briss.  Tyrant  Fly-catcher.    Arrives  between  1  and  12  May 

§  crinita,     L.     Great  crested  Fly-catcher. 

§  fusca,     Gm.     Pewit  fly  catcher.     Arrives  March  20th. 

§  virens,     L.      Wood-Pewel  Fly-catcher. 

§  ruticilla,     L.     American.  Fly  Catcher.  Common. 

Icteria.     Bon. 

t  viridis,     Bon.     Yellow-breasted  Chat      First  of  September. 

Vireo.     .Vieill. 

flavifrons,     Yellow-throated  Fly-catcher. 
IT  Noveboracensis,     Bon.     While-eyed  Fly-catcher. 

§  olivaceus,     Red-eyed  Fly-catcher.         Common. 

Lanius.     L.     Briss.     Gm.  Lath. 

t  septentrionalis,      Gm.     Butcher  Bird.          Late  in  Autumn. 

Turdus     L.     Briss.     Gm. 

polyglottos,     L.     Mocking  Bird.        Very  rare  in  the  Spring. 

fell  vox,     Vieill.     Cat  Bird.         Arrives  between  May  1  and  12. 

migratorius,    L.    Robin.         Arrives  March  10. 

rut'us,     L.     Ferruginous  Thrush. 

mustelinus,     Gm.      Wood-thrush.         Arrives  May  1  to  12. 

minor,    Gm.     Hermit  Thrush.         Arrives  May  I  to  12 

Wilsonii,     Bon.      Tawney  Thrush.     Do.  Do. 


548  Animals  in  Massachusetts. 

Sylvia.     Lath.      Temm.  Ranz. 

§  aurocapilla,    Bon.    Golden  Crowned  Thrush.    May  1  to  12. 

Noveboracensis,     Lath.      Water  Thrush. 
t  coronata,     Lath.     Yellow-rump  Warbler.         }  Passes  north  in  the 

$  Spring,  returns  in  Sep- 

virens,     Lath.     Black-throated  green  Warbler. 
1f§  Blackburniae,     Lath.     Blackburnian  Warbler.         Mountain. 

icterocephala,     Lath.   Chesnut  sided  Warbler.  Do. 

§1F  castanea,     Wils.     Bay-breasted  Warbler. 

striata,     Loth.     Black-poll  Warbler. 

varia,     Lath.     Black  and  White  Creeper—  Mountain. 

tigrina,     Lath.     Blue  Mountain  Warbler. 
$  aestiva,     Lath.    Blue-eyed  yellow  Warbler. 

Americana,     Lath.     Blue  yelloiv—back  Warbler. 
tlT  Canadensis,     Lath.     Black-thi oaled  Blue  Warbler. 

^  agiiis,          Connecticut    Warbler. 

autumualis,  Autumnal  Warble).  Returns  from  the  North  in  Oct. 

Saxicola.   Temm.  Ranz. 

$  sialis,  Bon.  Blue  Bird.     Ar.  about  Mar.  10. 

Regulus.    Vieill. 

$  cristatus,  Vieill.      Golden  crested  Wren. 

Troglodytes. 

§  aedon,  Vieill.     House  wren. 

FAMILY   TENUIROSTKES. 

Sitta.  L.  Briss.  Gm.  Lath. 

$  Carolinensis,  Bris?.     White  breasted  Black-capped  Nuthach. 

FAMILY    ANTHOMYZI.   Ranz 

Trochilus.  L.  Gm.  Lath. 

$  colubris,  L.     Humming  Bird. 

Parus.  L. 

||  articapillus,  L.  Black-capped  Titmouse. 

FAMILY    PASSERINI.   ILL 

Emberiza.     L.  Briss.   Gm. 

t  nivalis,  L.  Snow  Bunting.     Winter. 

Tanagra  L.  Gm.   Lath.   Cuv. 

rubra,  L.  Scarlet  Tanager. 

Fringilla.  L.  Temm.  Ranz.  Wils. 

§  cyanea,  Wils.     Indigo  Bird.     Common. 

IT  §  Pennsylvanica,  Lath.  White- throated  Sparrow. 

§  graminea,  Gm.   Bay  winged  Bunting    Common. 

S  melodia,  Wils.     Song  Sparrow. 

||  hiemalis,     Snow  Bird.  Breeds  in  the  mountains  .•  common 

in  the  hedges  in  Spring  and  Autumn, 
f  passerina,  Wils.       Yellow  Winged  Sparrow. 

f  Canadensis,  Lath.     Tree  Sparrow.     Winter. 

socialis,  Wils.     Chipping  Sparrow. 
§  pusilla,  Wils.     Field  Sparrow.     Common. 


Birds.  .V19 

tristis,       L.    Yellow  Bird,  or  Goldfinch. 

pinus,  Wils.  finch. 

ff  linaria,     Lesser  red-poll.     Winter. 

iliaca,  Merrem.     Fox-colored  Sparrow.     Winter, 

eyrthrophthalma,  L.   Towhe  Bunting. 
T  cardinalis,  Bon.     Cardinal  Grosbeak. 

§1T  rosea,  Bon.     Rose-breasted  Grosbeak 

1T  purpurea,  Gm.     Purple  Finch. 

Loxia.  Briss.  L.   Gm.  Lath. 

Curvirostra,  L.  ^American  Cross  Bill. 

FAMILY  COLUMBINI. 

Columba. 

%  migratoria,  L.  Passenger  Pigeon. 

1F  Carolinensis,  L.   Turtle  Dove. 

SUB  CLASS,  II. 

Hind  toe  articulated  higher  on  the  tarsus  than  the  fore  toes;  incapable  of  grasp- 
ing, or  wanting. 

ORDER  III.  GALLING. 

FAMILY     GALLINACEI. 

Meleagris. 

1T||  Gallopavo,  L.  Wild  Turkey.         Now  become  scarce  and  near- 

ly extinct.* 

Perdix.  Briss  Lath.  111. 

§  Virginiana,  Lath.  Quail. 

Tetrao.  L.  Gm.  Lath.    111.  Cuv. 

|j  umbellus,  L.  Ruffled  Grous.     Common. 

ORDER  IV,  CRALL.S. 

FAMILY  PRESSIROSTRES. 

Charadrius.  L.   Gm.  Lath.  111. 

f  semipalmatus,  Bon.  Ring  Plover.  A   single    specimen  on  the 

banks  of  the  Hoosic. 
§  melodus,  Ord.     Ringed  Plover. 

vociferus,  L.  Kildeer  Plover     Appears  about  April.  10th. 
§  ruvialis,  L.  Golden  Plover. 

Strepsilas.   111.  Temm.  Ranz. 
§  interpres,  Til.   Turn-stone. 

FAMILY    HERODII.    ILL. 

Grus.  Pallas,  111.  Cuv.  Temm. 

1F§  Americana,  Temm.     Hooping  Crane. 

Ardea. 

§  Herodias,  L.  Great  Heron. 

§  alba,  L  Great  white  Heron. 

§  nycticorax,   L.  Mght  Heron.     More  common  late  in  the  Sunimei 

*  Frequently  met  with  on  mount  Holyoke.  E.  H. 


550  Animals  in  Massachusetts.  , 

coerulea,  L.  Blue  Heron. 
minor,  Wils.     American  Bittern. 
§  virescens.   Green  Heron. 

FAMILY     LIMICOL.E. 

Numenius.  Briss.  Lath.  111.  Cuv. 

§  longirostris,  Wils.  Long  billed  Curlew.     Rarely  ou  the  Hoos  ic. 

Tringa.  L.  Lath.  Gm. 

§  semi-palmata,  Wils.  Semi-patmated  Sandpiper. 

alpina,  L.  Red-backed  Sandpiper. 

pectoralis,  Ben.  Pectoral  Sandpiper. 
§  pusilla,  Wils.     Little  Sandpiper. 

Himantopus.  Briss.  111.  Cuv.  Temra. 

nigricollis,  Vieill.    Long-legged  Jlvocet. 
Totanus.  Cuv.  Temm.  Vieill.  Ranz. 

melanoleucus,  Vieill.    Tell-tale  Godwit. 
fl  macularius,  Temm. 

Scolopax.    L,  Briss.  Gm.  Lath, 
Wilsonii,  Temm.  Snipe. 

FAMILY     MACRODACTYLI. 

Rallus.  L.  Cuv.  Vieill. 

§  crepitans,  L.  Clapper  Rail. 

IT  Virginianus,  L.  Virginia  Rail. 

Fulica. 

Americana,  Gm.     Common  Coot. 

ORDER  V.  ANSERES. 

FAMILY     LONGIPENNES. 

R/iincops.  L.  Gm.  Lath. 

§  nigra,  k.  Black-Skimmer,  or  Shearwater.        Visits  the  coast  during 

Summer. 

Sterna. 

§  hirundo,  L.  Great  Tern. 

§  minuta.    Lesser  Tern. 

Larus. 

|]  capistratus,  Temm.  Brown  marked  Gull. 

atricilla,  L.  Black  headed  Gull 
§  canus,  L.  Common  Gull. 

fuse  us,  L.  Silvery  Gull. 

argentatoides,  Brehm.     Common  near  N.  Y. 

FAMILY  LEMALLOSODKNTATI.    ILL' 

Anser. 

canadensis,  Vieill. 

hyperboreas,  Pal  la?.     Snoiv  Goose. 

bernicla,  Bon.     The  Brant. 


v  JL 

Birds.  .'51 

Alias.  L.  Gm.  Briss. 
f  clypeata  L.  Shoveller. 

\  boschas,  L.  The  Mallard. 

§  acuta,  Pintailed  Duck. 

Americana,  Widgeon. 
f  sponsa,  Wood  Duck. 

discors,  Blue-winged  Teal. 

Fuligula.  Bon. 

perspicillata,  Bon.     Black  or  Surf  Duck. 
vallisneria,  Stephens.  Canvass-back  Duck. 
clane:ula,  Bon.     Golden-Eye.   Rare  on  the  Hudson. 
albeola,  Bon.  Buffet-headed  Duck. 

Mergus.  L. 

Merganser,  Goosander. 


bassana,  Lacep.   Gannet. 

Podiceps.  Temm.  Vieill. 

f  cristatus,  Lath.     Crested  Grebe.     Rare  on  the  Hudson. 

f  Carolinensis,  Lath.  Pied-  bill  Dob-chick. 

Colymbus. 

§  glacialis,  L,  Great  Northern    Diver,  or  Loon. 

f  septentrionalis,  L.  Red  throated  Diver. 

Uricb 

f  alle,  Temm.     Little  Auk. 

Mormon.  111. 

t  arcticus,  111.  Pujin. 

Alca.  L.  Gm.  Briss. 

torda,  L.  Razorbill' 


55^ 


Te 


Co 


Animals  in  Massachusetts. 

III.  REPT1LIA  OR  REPTILES, 

BY  DAVID   S.  C.   H.  SMITH.   M.   D. 

ORDER  I.    CHELONIA. 
ido,  L. 

scabra,  Shaw,  Common  Turtle.1 

Pensnylvanica, 

serpentina,      Snapping  Turtle. 

picta,      Painted  Turtle. 

punctata,     Speckled  Turtle. 

clausa,  >       On  the  authority 

insculpta,  Leconte.    )       of  Dr.  Emmons. 

ORDER  II.  OPHIDIA. 


ber. 


Cro 


Rat 


constrictor,     Black  Snake. 

crdinatus,     Strped  Snake. 

sipedon,     Water  Snake. 

saurita,     Ribbon  Snake. 

sirtalis,     Garter  Snake. 

striatulus, 

punctatus, 

eximus,     House  Snake. 

vernalis,     Green  Snake. 

is. 
durissus,     Banded  Rattle  Snake. 

ORDER  III.  BATRACHIA 


pipiens,     Bull  Frog. 
clamata,     Bawling  Frog. 
flavi-viridis,  Spring  Frog. 
sylvatica,     Wood  Frog. 
palustris,     Leopard  Frog. 

squirella  ?     Peeping  Frog  of  New  England. 
versicolor,     Common  Tree  Toad, 


Hyl 

\ 

ftj 

musiceus, 
Not  described. 

3alanindra,  Salmanders  or  Slows. 
I  subviolacea, 
1  faciata, 

erithronota, 

cinerea, 

symetrica. 

tigrina.  >      On  the  authority 

ongicauda.        \      of  Dr.  Emmons. 


Fishes.  553 

IV  FISHES. 

A  CATALOGUE  OF  THE  MARINE  FISHES  TAKEN  ON  THE  ATLAN- 
TIC COAST  OF  MASSACHUSETTS. 

BY  JEROME  V.  C.  SMITH,  M.  D. 

Anguilla  muraena,  L.  Anguilla  vulgaris,  Cuv.     Common  Eel. 
Confer  muraena,  L.  Conger  vulgaris,  Cuv.     Conger  Eel. 
Xiphius  gladius,  L.     Sword-Fish. 
Gadus  morhua,  L.     Common  Cod. 

Gadus  xnerluccius  L.  Merluccius  vulgaris,  Cuv.     Hake. 
Gadus  brosme,  Gmel.  Brosme  vulgaris,  Cuv.  Torsk. 
Gadus  aeglefinus,  L.     Haddock. 

Gadus  merlangus,  L.  Merlangus  vulgaris,  Cuv.     Whiting. 
Gadus  pollachius,  L.  Merlangus  Pollachius,  Cuv.     Pollock. 
Gadus  callarius.     Tom  Cod. 
Blennius  viviperus.     BUnny. 
Blennius  ocellaris,  Bloch.     Ocellated  Blenny. 
Blennius  pholis,  Bloch.  (rare.)     Smooth  Blenny. 
Scomber  scomber,  L.     Mackerel. 
Scomber  colias,  Gm.     Shore  Mackerel. 
Thinnus  vulgaris,  Cuv.  Scomber  Thinnus  L.     Tunny. 
Perca  labrax.     Sea-Perch. 
Sciaena  imberbis.     Drum-Fish. 

Pleuronectes  flessus.  Platessa  flessus,   Cuv.     Flounder. 
Pleuronectes  platessa.  Platessa  vulgaris,  Cuv.     Plaise. 
Pleuronectes  solea,  L.  Solea  vulgaris,  Cuv.     Sole. 
Pleuronectes  maximus,  L.  Rhombus  Maximus,  Cuv.     Turbot. 
Hyppoglossus  vuljraris,  Cuv.  Pleuronectes,  L.     Halibut. 
Labrus  tautoga,  Mitchell.     Tautog. 
Labrus  squeteague,  Mit.     Squeteague. 
Echenius  remora,  L.     Sucking  Fish. 
Perca  ocellata.     Bass. 
Cottus  scorpinus,  L.     Sculpin. 
Cottus  quadricornis.     Sea  Bull. 
Aspidophorus  cataphractus,  Cuv.     Armed-Bullhead. 
Clupea  harengus,  L.  et  Cuv.     Herring. 
Clupea  menhaden,  Mit.     Menhaden. 
Clupea  alosa,  L.     Shad. 
Clupea  vernalis,  Mit.  Serrata  ?     Jllewife. 
Clupea  minima,  Belknap.     Bret. 
Salmo  salar.     Salmon. 

Salmo  eperlanus,  L.  Osmerus   eperlanus,  Cuv.     Smelt. 
Esox  belone,  L.  Belone  vulgaris,  Cuv.     Sea-Pike. 
Telrodon  tergidus.     Swell  Fish. 
Acipenser  sturio.     Sturgeon. 
Syngnatus  typhle  Pipe- Fish. 
Raia  batis.     Skate. 
Raia  clavata.     Thornback. 
Squalus  zygaena.     Hammer  headed  Shark. 
Carcharius  glaucus.     Blue  Shark. 

•Selache  maximus,  Cuv.  Sqalus  maximus,  L.     Basking  Shark. 
Squalus  catulus,    Cuv.    stellaris,  L.     Catfish. 
Squalus  canicula,   Cuv.     Dogfish. 
Anarchicas  lupus,  L.      Sea-wolf. 
Cyclopterus  lumpus,  L.   Lump-sucker. 
Cyclopterus  minutus.  Little  Lumpfish. 
Lophius  piscatorius,  L.     Frogjith. 
70 


654  Animals  in  Massachusetts. 

Fishes  found  in  tht  Rivers,  mountain  Streams  and  Ponds  of  Massa- 
chusetts. 

Perca  chrysoptera.     Bream. 
Esox  lucius.     Pickerel. 
Salmo  fontinalis.     Highland  Trout. 
Silurus  felis.     Pout. 
Cyprinus   leuciscus.     Dace. 
Cyprinus  crysoleucas.     Shiner. 
Cyprinus  oblon^us.     Chub. 
Salmo  tructa  ?  of  Belk.     Salmon  Troul. 
Cyprinus  rubiculis.     Roach. 
Cyprinus  atronasus.     Sucker. 

Bodianus  pallidus.    Luciopera  of  Belk.      White  Perch. 
Bodianus  rufus.     Red  Perch. 
Labrus  auritus.     Pond  Perch. 

Anguilla  vulgaris.     Common  Eel.  ^ 

Perca  fluviatilis.      River  Perch. 
Petromyzon.     Lamprey  Eel. 
Cottus  gobio.     River  bull-head. 


V.    TESTACEA  OR  SHELLS. 

List  of  the  Marine  Shells  of  Massachusetts,  arranged  according  to 

the  System  of  Lamarck. 

BY  THOMAS   A.  GREENE,  ESQ.  of  New  Bedford. 
CLASS     IX.     ANNELIDES. 
ORDER  III.  SEDENTARIA. 

Pectinaria  belgica. 

Sabella  belgica  of  Linn. 
Terebella  conch ilega,  L. 

This  has  been  subdivided  into  several   species,  two  of  which 

have  been  seen  on  our  shore. 
Spirorbis  nautiloides. 

Serpula  spirorbis  of  L.  On  Sea  weed. 
Serpula  vermicularis. 
Serpula  contortuplicata. 

CLASS   X.     CIRRHIPEDA. 
ORDER  I.    SESSILIA. 

Balanus  tintinnabulum. 

On  the  bottoms  of  Ships. 
Balanus  ovularia. 

Lepas  balanoides  of  Wood — on  plank,  timber  &c. 
Balanus  miser. 

Very  abundant  on  our  rocks. 
Balanus  punctatus  of  Montague. 

Lepas  punctata  of  Wood  and  Dilcwyn — also  on  our  rocks 
Balanus  fistulosus. 


Shells. 


ORDER  II.  PEDUNCULATA. 

Anatifa  laev'is. 

Lepas  anatifera  of  L.     On  the  bottoms  of  ships. 
Anatifa  vitrea. 

Lepas  fascicularis.     Found  at  Nantucket. 
Cineras  vittatus. 

Lepas  vittata,  On  ihe  bottoms  of  ships.     ^ 

CLASS  XI.  CONCHIFERA. 

ORDER  I.  BIMUSCULOSA. 

Teredo  navalis. 

On  the  bottoms  of  ships, 
Pholas  crispata. 
Solen  ensis. 

viridis. 

Not  common  in  the  N.  England  States. 
Solecurtus  Cariboeus. 

Rare,  found  at  New  Bedford. 
Solecurtus  costatus,  Say. 

Common  at  Nahant  Beach. 
Solecurtus  fragilis. 

S.  centralis  of  Say.  Found  at  N.  Bedford. 
Mya  mercenaria,  Say. 

Common  clam. 

Anatina  convexa,  Turton.    Thracia  of  Blainville. 
Anatina  leana,  Conrad. 

A.  preetenuis?  of  Turton.     At  Nantucket. 
Mactra  solida. 
Mrctra  gigantea,  Lam. 

M.  Solidissima  of  Dillwyn. 
Mactra  subtruncata. 
Mactra  lateralis,  Say. 
Mactra  subtriangulata. 

M.  arctata  of  Conrad.     Figured  in  the 
supplement  to  Wood's  "Index  Testaceologicui." 
Mactra  tellinoides,  Conrad. 
Solemya  velum,  Say. 

Not  uncommon  at  N.  Bedford. 
Amphidesma  corbuloides. 

Mya  Norwegicaof  Wood  and  Dillwyn. 

M.  hyalina  of  Conrad. 
Corbula  ferruginosa. 

Mya  ferruginosa  of    Wood.     Not  described  by  Lamarck. 
Pandora  trilineata,  Say. 

Found  in  Nantucket  Harbor, 
Petricola  pholadiformis,  Lam. 

P.  fornicata,  of  Say.    Very  common. 
Sanguinolaria  fusca,  Conrad.     At  Nantucket. 
Tellina  polita,  Say, 

Found  at  N.  Bedford. 

Lucina  divaricata.     A  single  valve  found  at  Chatham. 
Crassina  danmoniensis. 

Astarte  castanea  of  Say.    Ocean  shore  at  Nantucket. 
Cyprina  islandica. 

Venus  Islandica  of  Linn.     Common  in  Essex  County. 
Venus  mercennaria.    Common  Quauhog  or  Round  Clam. 


\ 

556  Animals  in  Massachusetts. 

Venus  praeparca,  Say'. 
Venus  notata,  Say. 
Cardium  Mortoni,  Conrad. 

Very  common  at  N.  Bedford. 
Cardium  pinnulatum,  Conrad. 
Cardita. 

This  species  appears  to  be  undescribed. 
Area  ponderosa,  Say.    )  These  were  found  at  Smith's  point, 
Area  pexata,  Say.         $  on  the  ocean  shore  of  Nantucket. 
Area  transversa,  Say. 

Not  uncommon  in  Buzzards  Bay. 
Nucula  margaritacea. 

Nucula  proxima  of  Say. 

Area  nucleus  of  Linn. 
Nucula  rostrata,     Montague. 

N.  limatula  of  Say. 

ORDER  II.  UNIMUSCULOSA. 

Modiola  papuana. 

Mytilus  modiolus  of  Lin. 
Mytilus  edulis. 
Mytilus  ungulatus. 
Mytilus  pellucidus. 
Mytilus  incurvatus. 
Mytilus  demissus. 

Very  abundant  at  N.  Bedford. 
Pecten  magellanicus. 

Rare  in  Mass.    Common  at  Eastport,  Me. 
Pecten  Islandicus. 

P.  Pealeii  of  Conrad,  Rare. 
Pecten  concentricus,  Say. 

Common  Scallop. 
Ostrea  Virginica. 

Common  Oyster. 
Anomia  ephippium. 

Abundant  in  N.  Bedford. 
Anomia  undulata. 

Is  it  a  distinct  species  from  the  preceding? 

CLASS  XII  MOLLUSCA. 
ORDER  II.  GASTEROPODA. 

Chiton. 

Found  ot  Nautucket.     Not  described  to  my  knowledge. 
Patella  alveus,  Conrad. 
Patella  amoena,  Say. 
Crepidula  fornicata,  Say. 

Very  commou  on  our  coast. 
Crepidula  glauca,  Say. 
Crepidula  plana,  Say. 

Found  in  Nantucket  Harbor. 

ORDER  III.  TRACHELIPODA. 

Velutina  rupicola,  Conrad. 
Bull  a  solitaria,  Say. 

Found  at  Martha's  Vineyard.     Rare. 
Natica  duplicata,  Say. 
Natica  heros,  Say. 
Natica  triseriata,  Say.  , 


Shells.  .    557 

Nerita  intricata  of  Wood's  Supplement. 
Tornatella. 

Common  in  salt  marshes.     Not  described. 
Lacuna  pertusa,  Conrad. 
Turbo  obligatus,  Say. 

Very  common  in  Buzzard's  Bay. 
Turbo  palliatus,  Say. 
Turbo  calathiseus. 

Figured  by  Wood  and  described  by  Dillwyn.  Very  minute. 
Turritellabisuturalis,  Say. 
Fusus  Islandicus. 

Murex  corneus  of  Wood  and  Dillwyn. 

Fusus  corneus  of  Say. 
Fusus  cinereus,  Say. 
Fusus  decemcostatus,  Say. 

Murex  carinatus  of  Pennant. 
Ranella  caudata.     At  Nantucket. 
Pyrula  canaliculata. 

Murex  canaliculata  of  Linn. 
Pyrula  carica. 
Nassa  obsoleta,  Say. 

Buccinum  noveboracense  of  Wood's  Supplement. 

Murex  carica  of  Lin. 
Nassa  trivittata.    Say. 
Purpura  lapillus. 

Buccinum  lapillus,  Linn. 
Purpura  imbricata,  Lam. 
Buccinum  undatum,     Linn. 
Columbella  terpsichore. 

Buccinum  Terpsichore  of  Wood's  Supplement. 

ORDER    IV.  CEPHALOPODA. 

Spirula  Peronii. 

Nautilus  Spirula  of  Linn. 

Found  on  the  ocean  shore  of  Nantucket. 


List  of  Land  and  Fresh   Water  Shells  in  Massachusetts,  so  far 

they  have  been  asccertained. 
BY  MR.  JOHN  MILTON  EARLE,   of  Worcester. 

I.  BIVALVES. 
I.  GENUS  UNIO.  Lam. 

Unio. 

complanatus,  Lam.        Purpureus,  Say. 
nasutus,  Say         Ponds  in  Essex  and  Plymouth  Counties, 
ochraceus,  Say      Ponds  in  Plymouth  County, 
radiatus^ay  Do.         and  Essex  Counties. 

II.    GENUS    ALASMADONTA.    Say. 

Alasmadonta. 

margaritifera,  Linn,  arcuata,  Barnes. 
marginata  Say,  Blackstone  River, 
undulata,  Say  Do.  and  streams  in  Plymouth  County. 


558  Shells  in  Massaehnsetts. 

III.    GENUS    ANADONTA,    Lam. 

Anadonta. 

cataracta,  Say.        Common  Green  Muscle, 
marginata,  Say.         Blackstone  and  French  Rivers, 
lugubris,  Say.  Ponds  in  Essex  Co. 

IV.    GENUS    CYCLAS. 

Cyclas. 

similis,  Say. 
dubia,*  Say. 

And  two  species  not  described. 

II.  UNIVALVES. 

I.    GENUS     PALUDINA. 

Paludiria. 

decisa,  Say. 
limosa?  Say. 

II.    GENUS    PLANORB1S. 

Plariorbis. 

trivolvis,  Say. 
bicarinatus,  Say. 
armigerus,  Say. 
campanulatus. 
parvus,  Say. 

III.    GENUS    LYMNABA. 

Lymnaea. 

catascopium,  Say. 
heterostropha,  Say. 
coluinella,  Say. 

And  one  species  not  ascertained. 

LAND  SHELLS. 

IV.     GENUS      HELIX. 

Helix. 

alaboris.    Common  Wood  Snail. 

arboreus,  Say. 

trident  ata,  Say. 

alter  nata,  Say. 

glaphyra,  Say. 

thypopdus,  Say. 

minuta,  Say. 

hirsuta,  Say. 

*  This  does  not  agree  exactly  with  my  specimens  of  the  dubia  found  in 
Pennsylvania,  but  I  think  it  not  sufficiently  distinct  to  be  separated  from  that 
species. 


Shells.  559 


Helix. 

perspectiva,  Say. 
fraterna.  Say. 

V.   GENUS  SUCCINEA.  Amphibious . 

Succinea.. 

ovalis,  Say. 
campestris.?  Say. 
and  one  species  not  ascertained. 

VI.    GENUS    PUPA. 

Pupa. 

corticaria?     Say 

VII.     GENUS    CARACOLLA. 
One  species  not  ascertained. 


In  addition  to  .the  preceding  catalogues  of  the  shells  of  Mass, 
full  and  apparently  quite  accurate,!  have  received  from  Col.  Joseph  G. 
Totten  of  the  United  States  Army,  resident  in  Newport  R.  Island  the 
following  list  both  of  marine  and  land  shells  observed  "  on  and  near  the 
coast  of  New  England."  Although  this  extends  beyond  the  limits  as- 
signed me  by  the  government,  yet  as  so  little  is  known  of  this  class 
of  animals,  and  so  few  gentlemen  have  devoted  their  attention  to  it,  it 
has  seemed  to  me  probable  that  it  would  comport  with  the  views  of 
government  to  annex  this  catalogue  to  those  already  given  ;  contain- 
ing as  it  does  several  species  and  genera  that  have  not  been  mention- 
ed. 

List  of  Shells  observed  on  and  near  the  coast  of  New  England. 
BY  COL.  JOSEPH  G.  TOTTEN. 

Spiroribis  Lam. 

one  or  more  species.         » 
Serpula  Linn. 

one  or  more  species. 
Balanus  Brug. 

geniculatus,  Conrad. 

tintinabtilum,   Lin. 

fistulosus,  Brug. 
Anatifa  Brug. 

sulcatus,  Mont. 

fascicularis,  Solandui. 

loevis,  Brug. 


560  Shells. 

Pholas  Lin. 

one  or  more  species. 
Solen  Lin. 

ensis,   Lin. 

viridis,  Say. 
Solecurtus  Blain. 

cariboeus,  Lam. 

costatus,  Say. 

fragilis,  Dill,   centralis  of  Say. 
My  a  Lin. 

mercenaria,  Lin. 

hyalina,  Conrad. 
Anatina  Lam. 

convexa,  Wood.     A.  Thracia  ?  of  Blain. 

leana,  Conrad. 
Mactra  Lin. 

solidissima,  Chcm. 

lateralis,  Say. 

arclata,  Conrad. 

tellinoides,  Conrad. 

one  or  more  other  species. 
Solemya  Lam. 

velum  ?  Say. 

one  other  species. 
Corbula  Lam. 

contracta,  Say. 
Pandora  Lam. 

trilineata,  Say. 
Saxicava  Lam. 

distorta,  Say. 
Petricola  Lam. 

pholadiformis,  Lam. 
Sanguinolaria  Lam. 

fusca,  Say. 
Tellina  Lin. 

two  or  more  species. 
Lucina  Brug. 

divaricata,  Gmel. 

and  a  larger  species. 
Astarte  Sowerby. 

castanea,  Say. 
Cyclas  Brug. 

two  or  more  species. 
Cyprina  Lam. 

Islandica?  Lin, 
Cytherea  Lam. 

convexa,  Say. 
Venus  Lin. 

mercenaria,  Lin. 

notata,  Say. 
Cardium  Lin. 

Mortoni,  Conrad. 

pinnulatum,  Conrad. 


Shells.  561 


Cardita  Brug. 

borealis,  Say. 
Area  Lin. 

pexata,  Say. 

one  or  more  other  species. 
Nucula  Lam. 

proxima,  Say. 

limatula,  Say. 
Unio  Brug. 

complanatus,  Soland. 

and  others. 
Anadonta  Brug. 

one  or  more  species. 
Alasmadonta  Say. 

margaritifera,  Gmel. 

and  others. 
Modiola  Lam. 

plicatula,  Lam. 

one  or  more  other  species. 
Mytilus  Lin. 

edulis,  Lin. 
Pecten  Brug. 

magellanicus,  Gmel. 

Pealeii,  Conrad. 

concentricus,  Say. 
Ostrea  Lin. 

one  or  more  species. 
Anomia  Lin. 

ephippium,  Gmel. 

and  another. 
Chiton  Lin. 

marginatus,  Lin. 
Patella  Lin. 

amoena,  Say. 

alveus,  Conrad. 

a  third  ? 
Dispotea  Say. 

striata,  Say. 
Crepidula  Lam. 

fornicata,  Gmel. 

convexa,  Say. 

plana  ?  Say. 

glauca?  Say. 
Bulla  Lin. 

one  or  more  species. 
Helix  Lin. 

albolabris,  Say. 

alternata,  Say. 

thyroidus,  Say. 

2  or  more  other  species. 
Succinea  Draparnaud. 

2  or  more  species. 
Planorbis  Brug. 

2  or  more  species. 
71 


562  Animals  in  Massachusetts. 

Physa  Drapar. 

one  or  more  species. 
Lymnea  Lam. 

3  or  more  species. 
Paludina  Lam. 

decisa,  Say. 
Natica  Brug. 

duplicata,  Say. 

heros,  Say. 

triseriata,  Say. 
Scalaria  Lam. 

one  or  more  species. 
Turbo  Lin. 

palliatus,  Say. 

obligatus,  Say. 

vestita,  Say. 

inoratus,  Say. 

rudis,  Say. 

one  or  more  other  species. 
Lacuna  Turton. 

pertusa,  Conrad. 

2  or  more  other  species. 
Mfelampus. 

3  or  more  species. 
Velutina  Blain. 

rupicolor,  Conrad. 
Turritella  Lam. 

bisuturalis,  Say. 

one  or  more  other  species  ? 
Fusus  Brug. 

cinereus,  Say. 

decem-costatus,  Say. 

corneus,  Lin. 

one  or  more  other  species. 
Fulgur  Mont. 

canaliculata,  Lam. 

carica,  Lam. 
Ranella  Lam. 

caudata,  Say. 
Purpura  Lam. 

lapillus,  Lin. 
Buccinum  Lin. 

undatum  ?  Lin. 
Nassa  Lam. 

vibex,  Say. 

trivittata,  Say. 

obsoleta,  Say. 

lunata,  Say. 
Columbella  Lam. 

avara,  Say. 

and  three  or  four  shells  not  arranged  to  their  genera. 

Total,  61  genera,  and  at  least  125  species. 


Crustacea.  563 

VI.  CRUSTACEA 

For  the  means  of  preparing  this  Catalogue  of  our  Crustacea,  I 
have  been  almost  entirely  dependant  upon  notes  which  have  been  fur- 
nished me  by  Augustus  A.  Gould  M.  D.  of  Boston.  But  as  he  had 
only  a  very  short  notice  of  my  wish  to  obtain  such  a  catalogue,  he  is 
unwilling  to  appear  as  the  responsible  author  of  it.  I  apprehend, 
however,  without  pretending  to  much  knowledge  on  the  subject,  that 
even  as  I  have  prepared  it,  it  will  not  be  found  very  deficient  or  inac- 
curate. And  had  that  gentleman  consented  to  make  it  out  himself, 
I  presume  it  would  have  been  still  less  defective.  Specimens  of  near- 
ly all  of  them  are  in  the  Cabinet  of  the  Boston  Society  of  Nat.  Histo- 
ry, and  may  be  found  described  by  Mr.  Say,  in  the  Journ.  of  the 
Acad.  of  Nat.  Sciences,  of  Philadelphia. 

ORD.    I.    DECAPODA. 

Fam.  I.  Brachyura. 
Portunus. 

p  ictus. 
Lupa. 

hastata.  Nantucket.  Blue  claw  Crab. 
Cancer. 

granulatus.  Martha's  Vineyard  and  Nantucket.  Sand  Crab. 

irroratus.  ibid. 

limosa.  ibid. 

and  one  other. 
Ocypode. 

pugilator.  Martha's  Vineyard  and  Nantucket.      Fiddler  Crab. 
Pinnotheres  T 

ostreum.     In  Oysters. 

one  other  species.  Cambridge.     Marshes,  near  salt  water. 
Grapsus. 

pelagicus  ?     Say.    Gulf  Stream. 
Libinia. 

canaliculata.  Bost.  Harbor,  and  Cape  Cod.    Spider  Crab. 

Fam.  II.  Macroura. 
Astacus. 

marinus.     Bost.  Harbor.  Lobster. 
Hippa. 

emeritus.  Fab.  H.  talpoida?  Say.  Cape  Cod  and  Vin.  Sand  bug. 
Pagurus. 

longicarpus.  Inhabits   genus  IVassa.  Hermit  Crab. 

pollicaris.     Inhabits  genus  Natica,  Pyrula,  &c.  Hermit  Crab. 
Palaemon. 

vulgaris.     Inlets,  both  the  last  are  called  Shrimps. 
Crangon. 

septemspinosus,     Say.  Inlets, 

ORD.   II.    STOMAPODA. 

Squilla. 

empusa,  Say. 

ORD.    III.  AMPHIPODA. 

Taliprus. 

longicornis.  Under  Sea  Weed.  Sand  Flea. 


564  .  Animals  in  Massachusetts. 

Gammarus. 

mucronatus  1 

ORD.  IV.   ISOPODA. 

Idotaea. 


Stenosoma. 

irrorata. 
Oniscus. 

aflBnis.     Sea   shore. 
Armadillo. 

pilularis. 

ORD.    V.    BRAMCHIOPODA. 

Limulus. 

monoculus.     Bost.  Harbor.  Horse  Shoe  Monoculus, 

Branchipus. 

one  species.     Stagnant  water 


VII.  ARANEIDES.  Lair. 

THE  SPIDERS. 
BY  PROFESSOR  N.  M.  HENTZ. 

The  following  summary  catalogue  embraces  a  wider  field  than 
Massachusetts.  The  species,  indeed,  have  been  obtained  from  various 
parts  of  the  United  States.  This  arose  from  a  misapprehension  on 
the  part  of  Professor  Hentz  of  the  precise  object  I  had  in  view. 
Yet  I  did  not  think  it  important  enough  to  request  him  to  alter  the 
list.  The  interesting  notes  which  acompanied  this  catalogue,  being 
too  extended  for  this  place,  were  fo warded  to  the  editor  of  the  Amer- 
ican Journal  of  Science,  and  published  in  the  21st  volume  of  that 
work.  The  whole  paper  forms,  indeed,  a  valuable  monagraph  of  the 
Spiders  of  the  United  States. 


Spiders. 


565 


ARANEIDES,  (Latreille.)     Aranea,    (Linnaeus.) 


No.  of 
species. 


AX*^  j         o    "        —    f^          — & i      J  — 

rows,  never  both  bent  downward  ;  6  mam- 
mulae,  2  very  long, 

>^6  g 

8-sj* 


8  eyes  ;  4  mammulae,  2  very  short ;  tooth  of    } 
the  mandibulce  (cheliceres)  articulated  down-  >  Oletera,  * 

ward,         .'•".         .         •         •         •  .       •    3 

C  Fihstata?  1 

6  or  8  eyes;  6  mammulaB  ;  tooth  of  the  man-  )  Dysdera  1 

dibula3  articulated  laterally,         .  ^  Segestria  ?  1 

'  Araneides  forming  no  silken  habitation,  wan-"] 

dering  ;  legs,  4th  pair  longest ;  eyes  8,  in  two  f  Herpvllus  8 

vrkiiTO       t-»o-irt»r     Tir»fr)i   V>or»t     (\n\\rr\\Km  r(\    •     f\     mam-    f  *3 

Clubiona  6 
Tegenaria  2 
Agelena.  2 
Theridium  5 
Pholcus  1 
Linyphia  5 
Tetragnatha2 
Epeira  26 
Mimetus  1 
Thomisus  8 
Sphasus.  3 
Dolomedes  6 
Lycosa*  1 1 
|  Attus  29 

j_Epiblemum  2 
Species  not  included  in  Attus.         3 


ba  r- 
.5  ^ 


^  "~i 


«j  3 

$&% 


-- 


Araneides  making  a  web,  seden- 
tary,       *  'V     -'    .... 


Araneides  making  no  web  for  a 
constant  residence. 


125 


The  number  of  125  species  will  appear  very  large,  but  I  could 
have  swelled  the  list  to  150.  Spiders  differ  from  true  insects,  or  at 
least  winged  insects,  in  their  growing:  They  come  out  from  their 
eggs  very  minute,  and  continue  to  increase  in  size,  probably  for  sev- 
eral years  in  many  species ;  whereas,  with  few  exceptions,  insects 
come  out  of  their  pupa  state,  at  once,  with  the  size  which  is  peculiar 
to  them.  The  ARANEIDES,  in  their  different  ages,  present  differences 
of  color  and  marking.  The  seasons  also  produce  a  change  in  the 
colors  of  some  spiders  ;  and,  I  am  nearly  convinced  that  the  first 


*  The  famous  Tarantula  of  the  South  of  Europe,  the  bite  of  which,  for  many 
years,  was  supposd  to  produce  a  disease  that  music  alone  could  cure,  belongs  to  this 
genus  :  and  I  found  on  Round  Hill  (Mass.)  a  species  (Lycosa  fatifcra,  my  cata- 
logue) which  is  probably  very  closely  related  to  the  European  species,  and  which 
dwells  in  holes,  nearly  a  foot  deep. 


566  Animals  in  Massachusetts. 

frosts  prpducea  total  change  in  the  dress  of  several  described  EPEIR.E 
which  may  be  refered  to  one  name.  These  are  the  considerations 
which  have  induced  me  to  be  very  cautious  in  adopting  new  species, 
and  comparing  many  specimens  in  different  seasons,  when  possible, 
before  I  described  them. 


VIII.  INSECTS. 

BY  THADDEUS  WILLIAM  HARRIS  M.  D. 

I.  COLEOPTERA.          Beetles. 

CICINDELIAD^:-  Tiger -beetles. 

Cicindela  generosa,  Dejean. 
vulgaris,  Say. 
patruela,  Dej. 

purpurea,  Olivier,     marginalia,    Fabricius. 
sexguttata,  F. 

rugifrons,  D. — C.  unicolor,  D.  is  merely  a  variety, 
marginata,  F.  variegata,  D. 
dorsalis,  Say. 
duodceimguttata,  D. 
hirticollis.  ?     S.  repanda,  D. 
hsemorrhoidalis,  Hentz. 
punctulata,  Olivier. 

and  one  more  species. 

CARABID.E. 

Casiionia  Pennsylvania,  Linnaeus. 
Galerita  Americana,  L. 
Brachinus  librator  7  D, 

fumans,  L. 

formosus. 


perplexus  ?  D. 
cordicollis,  D. 
medius,  Harris, 
mniutus,  H. 
Helluo  prseustus,  D. 
Plochionus  Bonfilsii  ?     D. 
Cymindis  pilosus,  S. 

platicollis,  S. 
comma, 
glabratus. 
biplagiatus. 

Dromius  ?     subsulcatus  ?  D, 
Calleida  smaragdina,     D. 
Lebia  tricolor,    S. 
borea,  Hentz. 
atriventris,   S. 
pulchella,  D. 
vittata,  F. 
solea,  Hentz. 
ornata  S. 


Bombardier  Beetles. 


Insects.  567 

Lebia  decora.  S. 
viridis,  S. 

and  one  unnamed  species. 
Scarites  subterraneus,  F. 
Clivina  lineolata,  S. 

globulosa,  S. 
Cychrus  viduus,  D. 
Spheeroderus  stenostomus,  Weber. 
Scaphinotus  elevatus,     F. 
Carabus  vinctus,  Weber.          interrupt  us,  S. 
sylvosus,  S. 
limbatus,  S. 
serratus,  S. 
Calosoma  scrutator  F. 
callidum,  F. 
obsoletum,  S. 
Nebria  pallipes,  S. 
Omophron  labiatum,  F. 
Elaphrus  ruscarius,  S.     formely  riparius,  S. 
Nothiophilus  semistriatus,  S. 

porrectus,  S. 
Oodes  Americanus,  D. 

amaroides,  D. 
Chlsenius  prasinus,  D. 
laticollis,  S. 
sericeus,  Forster. 
tomentosus,  S. 
nemoralis,  S. 
pubescens,  H. 
Hthophilus,  S. 
emarginatus,  fc. 

and  one  unnamed  species. 
Kembus  impressicollis  ?    D. 
Diceelus  dilatatus,  S. 

elongatus,  Bonelli.  furvus,  D. 
politus,  D.     Leonardii,  H. 
Panagseus  fasciatus,  S. 
Patrobus  longicornis,  S. 
Calathus  piceus,  H.     g-reg-arius  1  S. 
Anchomenus  extensicollis,  S. 
decorus,  S. 

with  two  unnamed  species,  and  one  unde- 
termined allied  genus. 
Agonum  octopunctatum,  F. 
cupripenne,  S. 
morosum,  D. 

nutans  1  S.    nitidulum,  D. 
melanarium,  D.    placidum  1  S. 
lenum,  D. 
luctuosum,  D.     obsoletum  ?  S. 

with  two  unnamed  species. 
Feroma  (Pcecilus)  chalcites,  S. 

lucublanda,  S. 
fraterna?  S. 
(Argutor)  neglecta. 

and  one  unnamed  species, 
(Omaseus)  stygica,  S.  bisigillata,  H. 

subpunctata,  H.  corvina?  D. 
polita,  H.  morosa  ?  D. 
hamata,  H.  luctuosa  ?  D. 

with  two  unnamed  specie*. 
(Pterostichus)  adoxa,  S. 

with  two  more  species. 


568  Animals  in  Massachusetts. 

Amara  (Leirus)  exarata,  D. 

confinis,  D.    • 
obesa,  S. 
impunctata,  S. 
impuncticollis,  S. 
angustata?  S. 
basillaris?  S. 

and  seven  other  species  or  varieties. 
Daptus  incrassatus,  D. 
Ag-onoderus  lineola,  P. 
pallipes,  F. 
Harpalus  (Pangus)  caliginosus,  F. 

(Anisodactylus)carbonarius,  S. 
agricolus,  S. 
discoideus,  D. 
Baltimoriensis,  S. 
rusticus,  S. 
(Ophonus)   sericeus,  H.  femoratus,  D. 

erraticus,  S.    Pensylvanicus  ?  Degeer. 

viridis,  S. 

bicolor,  F. 

faunas'?  S. 

badius7  S. 

herbivagus,  S. 

hylacis,  S. 

and  seven  other  specie*. 
Stenolophus  ochropezus,  S.  plebejus  1  D. 
and  one  doubtful  species. 
Acupalpus  rupestris,  S.  elongatulus,  D. 

partiarius?  S.  pauperculus  1  D. 
conjunctus  7  S.  misellus,  D. 

and  two  more  species. 
Bembidium  tetracolum,  S. 
oppositum,  S. 
metallicum. 
inornatum,  S. 

and  two  more  species. 

DITICIDJE.      Long-horned  Water-Beetles. 

• 

Dyticus  verticalis,  S. 

fimbriolatus?  S.  Carolinus. 
fasciventris,  S. 
(Acilius)  fraternus,  H. 
mediatus7  S. 
basillaris,  H. 

(Hydaticus)  fasciaticollis,  H. 
liberus,  S. 

and  one  more  species. 
Colymbetes  sculptilis,  H. 
binotatus,  H. 

%  suturellus,  H. 

fenestralis,  S. 
bicarinatus,  S. 
discolor,  H. 
obtusatus,  S. 
tseniolatus,  H. 
venustus,  S. 
acuductus,  H. 

and  one  other  species. 


Insects. 

Laccophilus  maculosus,  S. 
Hydrocanthus  ? 
Hydroporus  niger,  S. 

catascopium,  S. 

lasciatus,  H. 

affinis,  8. 
Hyphydrus  punctatus,  H. 

and  one  more  species. 
Haliplus  duodecimpunctatus,  S. 
immaculaticollis,  H.     ^ 

GYRINIAD^.     Whirling  Water- Beetles. 

Gyrinus  emarginatus,  S. 
Americanus,  L. 
labratus. 

limbatus?  S.     affinis. 
analis?  S. 
arctus. 

STAPHYLINIAD^E.     Rover-  Beetles. 

Includes  nineteen  species  besides  the  following. 

Oxyporus  —  four  species. 
Staphylinus  villosus,  Gravenhorst. 
immaculatus. 
maculosus,  G. 
cingulatus,  G. 
fossator,  G. 
prslongus. 
cinnamopterus,  G. 
nigripes. 
pallipennis 
anthrax,  G. 
Paederus  littorarius,  G. 
longiusculus. 
Stenus  —  two  species. 
Tachinus  fimbr  iatu  s,  G. 
mcmnonius,  G. 

PSELAPHIDjE. 
Pselaphus  —  two  species. 

BUPRESTiADjE.     Flat  Boring  Beetles. 

Buprestis  Geranii,  H.  volvulus  ?  F. 
Virginica,  Drury. 
striata,  F. 
maculiventris,  S. 
longipes,  S. 
divaricata,  S. 
tuberculata. 
sylvatica. 

obscura?  F.     corrosa. 
lurida?  F. 
fasciata,  O. 
fulvoguttata,  H. 
characteristic^  H. 
72 


569 


Animals  in  Massachusetts. 

Buprestis  femorata,  F. 
sexguttata,  S. 
Harrisii,  Hentz. 
(Agrilus)  ignara  ?  F. 
subserata. 
ruficollis,  F. 
virescens. 

with  3  other  species  of  Buprestis,  and  one  of  Agrilus. 
Trachys  tessellata,  F. 
fucata. 
Lespedezse. 

and  one  more  species. 
Melasis  semivittatus. 

ELATERIAD^E.     Snapping  Beetles. 

Eucnemis  longulus. 

and  one  more  species. 
Elater  pennatus,  F. 

and  four  allied  species. 

oculatus,  L. 

my  ops,  F. 

longicomis. 

brevicornis,  S. 

carbonarius. 

prseustus. 

auriculatus. 

elongatus,  Palisot  de  Beauvois. 

corticinus,  S. 

decipiens. 

spiraculatus. 

cylindriformis,  S. 

plebejus,  S. 

appressifrons,  S. 

decoloratus. 

xanthopus. 

scapularis. 

quercinus,  S. 

cruciatus,  L. 

hieroglyphicus.    S. 

lugubris,  Pal.  de  Beauvois. 

discoideus,  F. 

contemptus. 

metallicus. 

glaber. 

vernalis,  Hentz. 

inflatus,  S. 

pumilus. 

plagicollis. 

dorsalis,  S. 

dilectus,  S. 

stigma,  Herbst. 

silaceipes. 

atriyentris. 

and  14  more  species. 

(Campylus)  septentrionalis. 

and  one  more  species. 
(Nothora)  cinereus  ?  Weber. 


Insects.  571 


Elater  dispar?  Herbst. 

bicolor. 

and  2  more  species. 

(Drapetes)  Americanus. 
Throseus — 

CEBRIONIADJ3 

Anelastes?  sericea. 
Physodactylus  ?  cisteloides. 
Sandalua  ?  lineatopunctatus. 
Ptylodactyla— 
Dascillus — 2  species. 
Elodes  ovalis,  S. 

bicolor. 
Scirtes  tibialis. 

dorsalis. 

LAMPYRIDID^E, 

Lycus  Smithii. 

reticulatus,  F. 
terminal  is,  S. 
perfacetus,  S. 

Omalisus  coccinatus,  Say  in  letters, 
scapularis. 
quadricollis. 
marginellus. 

and  one  more  species. 
Phengodes  plumosa,  O. 
Lampyris  versicolor,  F 
centrata  S. 
angulata,  S. 


scintillans.  S. 


•   Firt-Flies. 


corrusca,  L. 
laticornis,  F. 
decipiens. 

Telephorus  rotundicollis,  S. 
Carolina,  F. 
basillaris,  S. 
diadema,  F. 
bilineatus,  S. 
rufipes,  S. 
scitula  ?  S. 

and  four  other  species. 
(Chauliognathus)  marginatus,  F. 

MELYRIDIDJE. 

Malachius  vittatus,  S. 

quadrimaculatus,  F. 

tricolor,  S. 
Dasytes  terminalis. 


PT1NIDJE. 


Ptinusfur,  L. 
Ptilinus  ruficornis,  S. 


572  Animals  in  Massachusetts. 

Dorcatoma  oculata,  S. 
Xyletinus  thoracicus. 

sericeus,  S. 
Anobium  gibbosum,  S.         ^ 

molle  ?  F. 

carinatum,  S. 

notatum,  3.          }•  Death- Watth  or  Ticking  Beetles. 

tenuestriatum,S.  | 

paniceum,  F.       J 

and  one  other  species. 


LIMEXYLID.E. 


Cupes  variegata. 
capitata,  F. 

TILLIAD^K. 

Enoplium  pilosum,  Forster. 
onustum,  S. 

CLERIAD^E. 

Seven  species  besides  the  following. 
Thanasimus  latefasciatus. 
nigrifrons,  S. 
analis. 

thoracicus,  O. 
Clerus  Nuttallii,  Kirby. 
Necrobia  violacea,  L.  ) 

ruficollis,  F.  J      Bone-Beetles. 

HISTERIADjE. 

Ten  species  besides  the  following. 
Hister  arcuatus,  S. 

interruptus,  Pal.  de  Beauvois. 

merdarius,  Paykull. 

unicolor,  L. 

abbreviatus,  F. 

pulicarius. 

indistinctus,  S. 

mancus,  8. 

punctulatus,  S. 

elongatus,  O. 

(Platysoma)  deplanata,  Gyllenhal. 

SILPHIAD^E.     Carrion- Beetles. 

Necrophorus  Americanus,  O.  grandis,  F. 
orbicollis,  S. 
marginatus,  F. 
mediatus,  F. 

tomentosus,  Weber,  velutinus,  F. 
mortuorum,  F. 
Necrodes  Surinamensis,  F. 
Silpha  Americana,  L. 
marginalis,  F. 


Insects.  573 

Silpha  inequalis,  F. 
caudala,  S. 

NITIDULAD^E. 

Fourteen  species  besides  the  following. 

Thymalus 

Nitidula  grossa,  F. 

bipustulata,  L. 
undulata,  S« 
variegata,  O.  colon  ?  L. 
Ips  fasciata,  O. 
dilecta. 
immaculata. 
sanguinolenta,  O. 
octomaculata. 
Dacne  fasciata,  F. 
Byturus  unicolor,  S. 
Cryptophagus  cellaris,  O. 
Scaphidium  quadripustulatum,  S. 
unicolor. 

DERMESTIAD.E. 

Dermestes  vulpinus,  F. 

lardarius,  L. 

marmoratus,  S. 

varregatus,  S. 
Megatoma  pellio,  L. 

macellarius,  F.  and  (Dermestes)  megatoma,  F 

BYRRHIADJE. 

Anthrenus  museorum  ?  L.  varius  ?  F. 

and  3  more  species. 
Byrrhus  Americanus. 
alternatus,  S. 

and  2  more  species. 

PARNIAD/E. 

Heterocerus  maculatus,  S.  in  letters. 

Dryops 

Elmis 

Macronychus  glabratus.  S. 
Hydera  ? 

HYDROPHILIDJE.     Short-Horned  Water-Beetle. 

Hydrophilus  triangularis,  S 

obtusatua,  S. 

glaber  ?  Herbst. 

nimbatus,  S. 

globosus,  S. 

ovalis. 

rotundatus,S. 

striatus,  S.  undatus  ?      F.  signaticollis. 

nebulosus,  S. 

and  3  more  species. 
Elophorus 


574  Animals  in  Massachusetts. 

SPHAERIDIIDJE. 

Sphaeridium  occallatum,  S. 
rufum. 

and  4  more  species. 

SCARAB.EIAD.ffi. 

Ateuchus  Iffivis,  Drury.    volvens,  F.  Tumble- Dung. 

nigricornis,  S. 

Onitis  sulcatus,  Drury.     Nicanor,  F. 
Onthophagus  Hecate,  Panzer,  latebrosus,  F. 

(Varieties  of  this  insect  have  received  distinct 
names,  such  as  furcicollis  and  Lama.) 
subssneus,  Palissot  de  Beauvois.  ovatus  ?  L. 
Phanams  carnifex,  L. 
Copris  anaglypticus,  S. 

minutus,  Drury.     Ammon,  F. 
Aphodius  obliquatus. 
femoralis,  S. 
vittatus,  S. 
strigatus?  S. 
terrainalis,  S. 
rubeolus,  Palissot  de  Beauvois. 

and  2  more  species. 
Geotrupes  exaratus. 
dilatatus. 

Blackburni  ?  F.    rusticus. 
cupreus. 

and  one  other  species. 
Odontaeus  filicornis,  S. 
Trox  porcatus. 
echinatus. 
serrulatus  ?  Palissot  de  Beauvois.  hispidus. 

and  two  other  species. 

Scarabaeus  Jamaicensis,  Drury.     Satyrus,  F. 
Maimon,  F.     Antaeus?  Drury. 
relictus,  S, 
tridentatus,  S. 
gibbosus,  Degeer. 

and  two  more  species. 
Rutela  (Pelidnota)  punctata,  L. 
lanigera,  L. 
Melolontha  ( Anomala)"  arboricola,  F. 

ccelebs.» 

occidentalis,  L.  variolosa,  Hentz. 
(Rhisotrogus)  Quercina,  Knoch.  fervens  ?    Gyllenhal. 
This  insect  and  the  eight  following  are  commohly 
called  Dorr-bugs  or  Beetles. 
porcina,  Hentz. 
hirstitula,  Knoch. 
fraterna. 
•  balia,  S. 

Georgicana  ?  Gyllenhal. 

*  This  insect  has  generally  been  referred  to  the  varians,  F.  which  it  cannot 
be  ;  it  is  considered  as  undescribed  by  Prof.  Germar. 


Insects.  575 

Melolontha  (Rhisotrogus)  hirsuta  ?  Knoch. 

?  pilosicollis,  Knoch. 
?  longitarsa,  S. 
?  moesta,  S. 
?  sordida,  S. 
(Serica)  vespertina,     Gyllenhal. 

sericea,  S.     sericea  ?  Illiger. 
iricolor,  S. 

and  one  allied  species. 

(Dichelonyx)  linearis,  Gyllenhal.  elongatula  ?  F. 
(Macrodactyla)  subspinosa,  F.    Rose-Bug. 
Hoplia  oblonga. 

and  two  more  species. 
Amphicoma  vulpina,  Hentz. 
Trichius  eremicola,  Knoch. 

scaber,  Palissot  de  Beauvois. 
dispar. 

maculosus,  Knoch. 
piger,  F. 
lunlatus,  F. 

Cremastocbeilus  Hentzii,  H.     canaliculatus,  Kirby. 
Harrisii,  Kirby. 
Castaneae,  Knoch.     Sayii,  H. 
Cetonia  fulgida,F. 

Inda,  L.    barbata,  S. 
(Gymnetis)  nitida,  L. 

LUCANIAD.K. 

Lucanus  Capreolus,  L.  Dama.  F.  Horn-Bug  or  Stag-Beetle. 

latifrons. 

parallelus,  S.     Voeti  ?  Schoenherr. 
Platycerus  piceus,  Weber. 

securidens,  S. 
Passalus  cornutus,  F. 

BLAPTIADJE. 
Scotinus  inequalis. 
Dendarus  (Heliophilus  ?)  rorulentus. 

interruptus,  S.  (opatrum,  Say.) 

TENEBRIONIADJE. 
Boros  pusillus. 
Upis  rugosus. 
clayipes. 

Pennsylvanicus,  Degeer.  laevis,  Oliv. 
reticulatus,  S. 
saperdoides,  O.  (Helops  spinipes,  F.  Tenebrio  anthraci- 

nus,  Knoch. 
rufipes,  S. 

femorata,  F.  fulvipes,  Herbst. 
?  melandroide*. 

Tenebrio  granarius.   Meal  Worm. 
punctulatus. 
badius,  S. 
reflexus,  S. 

DIAPERIADJE. 

Uloma  fodiens. 


576  Animals  in  Massachusetts. 

Phaleria  testacea,  S. 

and  another  species. 
Diaperis  maculata,  O.  Hydni,  F. 

orbiculata. 

erythrocera. 

flavipes,  F. 

bicornis?  F.  viridipennis?  F. 
Leiodes  ?  humeralis  ?  F. 
Eledona  cornuta,  F. 

HELOPIDJE. 

Helops  vittatus,  O.  micans,  F. 

obliquatus,  F. 

antennatus. 

and  two  other  species. 
Pytho  nitidus. 

CISTELIADJE. 

Ci  stela  fuliginosa. 
marginata. 
manicata. 
collaris. 
tarsata. 
atra,  S. 
obscura,  S. 

sericea,  S.  (Long's  Expedition.) 
sulphurea  ?  L.  sericea,  S.  (Journ.  Acad.  Nat.^bc. 

SERROPALPIADAE. 

Orchesia — two  species. 
Eustrophus  bicolor,  F. 

tomentosus,  S. 

Dirca»a— 3  species,  allied  to  the  discolor  of  Fabncius. 
Melandria  striata,  S. 

?  maculata. 

Hypulus 

Serropalpus  corticinvs. 
linearis. 
quadrimaculatus,  S. 

(EDEMERIAD^. 

CEdemera  (Dytilus?)prseusta,F. 
Mycterus. 

LAGRIADJE. 

!  '"'  't  '  '  . 

Lagria  eenea,  S. 

PYROCHROAD^E. 

Dendroides  canadensis,  Latreille. 
Pyrochroa  flabellata,  F. 

infumata,  Hentz. 

elegans,  Hentz. 

and  3  other  species. 


Insects.  577 


MORDELLIADJE. 

Rhipiphorus  (Pelecotoma)  2  species. 
Mordella  nigra,  S. 

pruinosa. 

scutellaris,  F. 

and  4  more  species. 

ANTHICID^E. 

Scraptia  —  two  species. 
Notoxus  anchora,  Hentz. 

monodon,  F. 
Anthicus  cinctus,  Say. 

and  two  more  species. 

HORIADA;. 
Horia  sanguinipennis,  S. 

CANTHARIDIDJE-      Blistering  Flies  or  Beetles, 
Meloe  angusticollis,  S. 

and  two  other  species. 
Cantharis  marginata,  F. 

senea,  S. 

vittata,  F. 

cinerea,  F. 

atrata,  F.  Pennsylvania,  De  Geer. 

BRUCHIAD-E. 

Rhinaria  ?     tseniolata. 
Anthribus  marmoreus,  O.  luimtus  ?  F. 
and  another  species. 

Rhinomacer 

Bruchus  Pisi,  L.     Pea  Bug  or  Beetle. 
and  3  more  species. 

cuRcuLioNiADjE.     Weevils. 

Attelabus  analis,  Herbst. 
pubescens,  S. 
bipustulatus,  F. 
Rhynchites  bicolor,  F. 
hirtus  ?     F. 
collaris,  O.  rubricollis,  S. 

and  another  species  allied  to  the  last. 
(Pterocolus)  ovatus,  F. 
Apion  porosum. 
rostrum  S. 

and  another  species. 

Brentus  septentrionis,  Herbst.  maxillosus  ?     O. 
Curculio  (Thylacites)  ciinitus. 

(Sitona)    lineatus,  S.  in  letters. 

tricarinatus. 
(Aphrastus)  tseniatus,  S. 
(Hadromerus)  hilaris,  Herbst.  >vv  9 

(Otiorhynchus)  one  species  much  like  rvgoiut. 
(Hylobius)  Abietis,  L.  multiguttatus  ?     O. 
another  species  of  Hylobius  and 
5  more  of  Curculio,  F. 

73 


578  Animals  in  Massachusetts, 

Lixus — two  species. 

Rhynchsenus  (Balaninus)  nasicus,  S.      )       «  ,  • 
rectus,  S.        $ 

and  another  species. 

(Pissodes)  Strobi,  Peck.     White-Pine-Weevil. 
Rhynchtenus  (Orchestes) — one  species. 
(Baridius)  modestus. 

and  4  more  species, 

(Cryptorhynchus)  argula,  F.  Nenuphar.    Herbst. 
Cerasi.  Peck.     Plum  and  Cherry 
macnlipennis.  [Weevil. 

porcatus. 
tormeinalis. 
Juglandis. 

and  3  more  species. 
(Ceutorhynchus)  acephalus,  S. 
(Mononychus)  vulpeculus,  F. 

and  2  more  species  of  RhynchaenuS}  F. 
Calandra  pertinax  ?  O. 
cariosa. 
obliterata. 
callosa?  O. 
Oryzae,   L.     Introduced.     Rice-Weevil. 

and  one  more  species. 
Cossonus  cylindricus.     corticalis?  F. 
and  one  more  species. 

BOSTRICHIDJE. 

Ten  species  besides  the  following. 
Hylurgus  terebrans,  Q. 
septentrionis. 
(Tomicus)  Pini,  S. 

dentatus,  S. 

(Scolytus)  Pyri,  Peck.  Pear-Tree  Scolytus. 
Apate  basillaris,  S. 


Cerylon 

Monotoma 

MYCETOPHAGIDJE. 

Three  species  besides  the  following. 
Lyctus —  2  species. 
Mycetophagus  flexuosus,  S. 

and  another  species. 
Latridius —  2  species. 
Silvanus  Surinamensis,  L.  frumentarius,  F. 

and  2  more  species. 

Trogosita  mutica  ?     Palissot  de  Beauvois.     brevicollis. 
cinnamomea,  S. 


CUCUJIAA:. 


Cucujus  clavipes,  O. 
rufus,  O, 


Insects.  579 

Cucujus  biguttatus  S. 

and  2  more  species. 
Uleiota  dubia,  F. 

arid  another  species. 
Parandra  brunnea,  F. 

CERAMBYCID^E.      Capricorn  Beetles. 

Prionus  laticollis,  Drury.  brevicornis,  F. 
laevig-atus. 

unicolor,  Drury.  Cylindricus,  F. 

Cerambyx  (Callichroma  1)  one  species.  _ 

(Stenocorus)  atomarius,  Drury.  Marilandicus,  *. 
cinctus,  Drury.  garganicus.  F. 
undatus,  P. 
quadrigeminatus,  S. 
putator,  Peck.    Oak-Pruner. 

and  another  species. 

(Clytus)speciosus,  S.  -,   , 

pictus,  Drury.  Robinise,  Foster,  flexuosus,  F.  Lo- 
cust-tree Borer. 
fulminans,  F. 
undulatus,  S. 
villicus,  O. 
hamatus,  S. 
caprea,  S. 
palliatus. 

verrucosus,  O.  gibbosus  7  F. 
erythrocephalus,  F. 
supernotatus,  S.     Pini?  O. 

and  4  more  species. 
(Callidium)  foveicolle. 
juvencum. 
bajulus,  L. 
violaceum.  L. 
janthinum. 
undatum1?  L. 
Hgneum,  F. 

variabile,  L.  fennicum,  F. 
Necydalis  (Stenopterus)  rufus,  L. 

(Molorchus)  bimaculatus,  S. 
Lamia  (Acanthocinus)  acanthura.     subfasciata- 
anetnnator?  F. 

and  2  more  species. 
(Tetraopes)  tetropthalma,  Forster.  tornator,  F. 

arator,  Germar. 
(Monochamus)  titillator,  F. 

dentator7  F.  Caroliniensis  ?  O. 

sutor,  L. 

pruinosa. 

bifasciata. 

and  2  more  species. 
(Mesosa)  macula,  S. 
divaricata. 
nebulosa  ?  L. 
aspersa,  S. 

and  3  more  species. 
(Saperda)  calcarata,  S. 

vestita,  S.     Append,  to  Long1, 
bivittata,  S. 
tridentata,  O. 


580        ^.  Animals  in  Massachusetts. 


Larmia  (Saperda)  triuncata. 
lateralis,  F. 
plumbea?-  O. 
Rubi. 

and  3  more  species. 

Leptura  (Desmocerus)  palliata,  Forster.  cyanea  ,F. 
(Rhagium)  lineata,  O. 
(Rhamnusium)  decolorata. 
(Pachyta)  Leonaradii. 
canaliculata. 

and  2  more  species  of  Pachyta. 
atrata. 
annulata. 
Canadensis,  O. 
velutina,  O. 
Rosarum. 

nitens,  Forster.     Zebrata,  F. 
rubrica,  S. 
proxima,  S. 
vittata,  O. 
lineola,  S. 
scalaris,  S. 
luteicornis,  F. 

and  6  more  species. 

CRIOCERID*:. 

Donacia  palmata,  O. 

metallica,  S. 

chalybata. 

pusilla,  S. 

and  14  more  species,  or  remarkable  varieties. 
Orsodachna  vittata,  S.  wir,  hepatica,  S. 
Crioceris  trilineata,  O.  trivittata,  S. 

collaris,  S. 
Auchenia  tuberculata. 

and  another  species. 

HISPIAD.K. 

Hispa  vittata,  F. 

suturalis,  F.  rosea,  Weber, 
quadrata,  F.  marginata,  S. 
pallida,  S. 
obsoleta,  S. 

and  2  more  species. 

CASSIDADJE. 

Cassida  Argus,  Herbst. 
clavata,  F. 
aurichalcea,  F. 
quadrisignata. 
vicina. 
C  onvolvulvi. 

CRYSOMELIAD^,. 

Clythra  dominicana,  F. 

quadriguttata,  S. 

Chlamys  g-ibbosa,  F.  plicata  F.(Bruchus  and  Clythra)  tubcroia,Kn, 
Cryptocepbalus  quadrig-uttatus,  S. 


Insects.  581 

Cryptocephajus  luridus,F. 

and  2  more  species. 
Eumolpus  auratus,  F. 
Pini,  S. 
varians. 
Colaspis  Quercus,  S. 

decemnotata,  S. 
puncticollis,  S. 
striata,  S. 
ovata,  S. 

and  6  more  species. 
Chrysomela  trimaculata,  F. 

scalaris,  Leconte. 
Philadelphica,  F. 
hybrida,  S. 
pulchra,  F. 
eleg-ans,  O. 
cseruleipennis,  S, 
teres. 

and  2  more  species. 
(Prasocuris)  scripta,  F. 
trivittata,  S. 

and  1  more  species. 

(Megalamera)  Rhois,  Forster.   meticuloaa,  O. 
Galeruca  tomentosa,  L.  Baccharidis,  Weber, 
puncticollis,  S. 

vittata,  F.    Cucumber-Bug  or  Beetle. 
Gelatinarise,^F. 
sordida. 

rufosang-uinea,  S. 
duodecimpunctata,  F. 
chalybata. 

and  two  more  species. 

(Adimonia  ?)— 2  species. 

Haltica  (CEdionychis)  thoracica,  P. 

abdominalis,  O. 
t  vians,  S. 

fimbriata,  Forster.  suture lla,  S. 
subvittata. 

and  one  more  species. 
Caroliniana,  F.  alternata?  lllig-er. 
g-labrata?  F. 
tseniata. 
triangularis,  S. 
collaris,  F. 
collata,  F. 
senea?  O. 

chalybea,  Illiger.  amethystina  1  O. 
ig-nita,  Illiger. 
nana,  S. 

striolata,  F.    var.  bipustulata,  F. 
Cucumeris. 

and  two  more  species. 
(Dibolia)  —  one  species. 


EROTYLIDJE. 


Ropalocerus  fasciatus. 
Tritoma  humerale,  F. 
Triplax  thoracica,  S. 
Lang-uria,  elong-ata. 


Animals  in  Massachusetts. 

Languria  Mozardi,  Latreille. 

and  one  more  species. 

ENDOMYCHIDJE. 

Endomychus  lineatus,  F.  and  O.     Eumorphus  distinctus,  S, 
angustatus,  S.  (Eumorphus,  S.) 
vestitus,  S.     (Lycoperdina,  S.) 
ferrug-ineus,  Leconte.     (Lycoperdina,  Lee.) 
biguttatus,  S. 

and  one  more  species. 

COCCINELLIADJE.     Lady-Birds. 

Coccinella  borealis,  F. 
Mali,  S. 
novemnotata,  F. 

transversa' 
transversoguttata,  S. 

bioculata,  s* 
g*eminata. 
immaculat^j  F. 
ursina,  F. 

vigintimaculata,   S. 
abbreviata,  F. 
decemmaculata,  F. 
tibialis,  S. 
parenthesis,  S. 

and  six  more  species. 
(Chilocorus)  Cacti,  L. 

normata,  S. 
Scymnus  parvulus. 
Gluerci. 
Cissi. 

II.  ORTHOPTERA. 

BLATTIAD^E.     Cockroaches. 

Blatta  orientalis,  L.  introduced, 
and  four  more  species. 

MANTIADJG. 

Spectrum  femoratum,  S. 

ACHETADJE.     Crielcets.  t 

Gryllotalpa  —  one  species.     Mole  Cricket. 
Acheta  nivea,  De  Geer. 

and  five  more  species. 

GRYLLIAD^.     Nocturnal  Grasshoppers. 

Gryllus  (Ephippiger)  —  one  species. 

(Pterophylla)  concavus,  S.  (in  letters.)     Katy-did. 

oblongifolius,  De  Geer.    laurifolius,  L: 
curvicaudus,  De  Geer. 
agilis,  De  Geer. 
fasciatus?  De  Geer. 

and  one  more  species. 
(Conocephalus)  tuberculatus  ?  De  Geer. 
and  another  species. 


Insects.  583 

LOCUSTIADJE.     Diurnal  Grasshoppers. 

Acrydium  obscurum  ?  F. 

flavo-fasciatum  ?  De  Geer.     vittatum,  0. 
sanguinipes  1  F. 

femur-rubrum,  De  Geer.     erythropum,  Gm. 
Locusta  Carolina,  L. 

tuberculata,  F. 

equalis,  S. 

sulphurea  ?  F.  C  Virginiana,  F. 

vividifasciata,  De  Geer.  J  chrysomela,  Gm. 

sulphurea,  Palisot  de  Beauvois.  (  hemiptera,  Beauvois. 

eucerata, 

cerineipennis. 

and  two  more  species. 
Tetrix  laterale,  S. 
parvipenne. 

and  six  more  species. 

III.     HEMIPTERA.     Bugs. 

PENTATOMAD^. 

Scutellera  (Tetyra)  fimbriata,  S. 
alternata,  S. 

dubia,  Pal.  de  Beauv.      cinctipes,  S. 
(Thyreocorus)  subviridis,  S.  letter,     unicolor  7  B. 
Pentatoma  arborea,  S. 

Pensylvanica,  De  Geer. 

obesa,  S. 

punctipes,  S. 

punctipes  ?  Pal.  de  Beauvois. 

and  fifteen  more  species. 
(Cydnus)  bilineata,  S.     cincta  ?  Pal.  de  B. 

COREID2E. 

Coreus  galeator,  F. 

tristis,  De  Geer.     ordinatus,  S.     Squash-Bug. 

and  two  more  species. 
Berytus  spinosus,  S. 
Lygseus  turcicus,  F. 

and  eleven  more  species. 
Salda  pedunculata,  S. 

and  two  more  species. 
Myodocha — one  species. 
Astemma — one  species. 
Miris — one  species. 
Capsus — one  species. 

and  nineteen  more  of  the  Coreidse. 

CIMICIDJE. 

Syrtis  erosa,  F. 

Tingis  — 

Aradus  sanguineus,  S. 

and  two  more  species. 
Cimex  lectularius,  L.  Bed-Bug. 
JNabis  —  two  species. 


584  Animals  of  Massachusetts. 

Reduvius  personatus,  L. 

multispinosus,  De  Geer.  raptorius,  S. 

and  three  more  species. 
Zelus  —  three  species. 
Ploiaria  —  one  species. 


HYDROMETRAD.&. 


Gerris  —  three  species. 
Velia  ?  — 


NEPADJE. 


Belostoma  Americanaj  F. 

and  two  more  species. 
Nepa  —  one  species. 
Ranatra  —  one  species. 

NOTONECTIAD.E.      Water-Boatmen. 

Corixa  interrupta/  S. 

and  another  species. 
Notonecta  Americana,  F. 

and  five  more  species  or  varieties. 

IV,  OMOPTERA. 

CICADIADJE.     Harvest  Flies  or  Locusts. 

Cicada  tibicen,  L, 

pruinosa,  S.  Common  Harvest-Fly  or  Locust. 
septemdecim,  L.  Seventeen  year  Locust. 
and  one  more  species. 

FULGORADJE. 

Otiocerus  Coquebertii,  Kirby. 
Degeerii,  Kirby..; 

CERCOPIAD*. 

Thirty  one  species  besides  the  following. 
Flata  —  one  species. 
Membracis  bimaculatus,  F. 

Cissi. 

latipes,  S. 

binotatus,  S. 

sinuatus  ?  F. 

bubaluSj  F. 
Tettigonia  octolineata,  S. 

coccinea,  Forster. 

Vitis,  H. 

APHIDID^E. 

Thrips  — 
Aphis  Garyse. 

and  many  other  species. 
(Eriosma)  lanigera,   L.  Mali,  Leach,  American  Slight . 

COCCIADJE. 

Coccus  arborum  linearis,  Geoffrey.     Bark-Louse. 


Insects.  585 

cryptogamus,  Dalman.     Oyster-shaped-Bark-Loute. 
Hesperidum,  L. 
Adonidum,  L. 

and  several  other  species. 

V.  NEUROPTERA. 

LIBELLULADJE.  Dragon-Flies  or  DeviPs  Needles. 

Libellula  pulchella,  Drury.     bifasciata,  F.  versicoZor  ?  F. 
Lydia,  Drury.     trimaculata,  Degeer. 
Eponina,  Drury. 
Berenice  ?  Drury. 

and  12  more  species. 
^Cshna  heros,  F. 
Gomphus  Junius,  Drury. 

and  five  more  species. 
Agrion  Virgo  gamma,  Drury. 

and  another  species. 
Calepteryx — three  species. 
Lestes— seven  species. 

EPHEMERAD*;. 

Ephemera  (Baetis) — six  species. 

(Cloeon .?) — two  species. 

one  species  of  Ephemera  proper. 

PANORPIADJE 

Panorpa  fasciata,  F. 

MYRMELEONTIDJE. 
Ascalaphus  maculatns  ?  O. 

HEMEROBIIDJE. 

Hemerobius  irroratus,  S. 
perla?  L. 

and  another  species. 

SEMBLID-E. 

Corydalis  cornutus,  L. 
Chauliodes  pectinicornis,  L. 

serricornis,  S. 

denticornis. 
Sialis — one  species. 

PERLIADJE. 

Perla  immarginata,  S. 

and  four  more  species. 

MANTISPIADJE. 

Mantispa  pagana,  S. 

TERMITID^E. 

Termes-three  species.  White-ants  or  Wood-lice. 

74 


586  Animals  in  Massachusetts. 

Psocus — four  species. 

PHRYGANEADjE. 

Phryganea  semifasciata,   S- 

subfasciata,  S.  , 

and  seventeen  more  species* 
(Lepfocerus)  variegatus. 

maculicornis. 
and  3  more  species. 

VI.  HYMENOPTERA. 

TENTHREDINIDJE.       StVW-FlieS. 
Cimbex  Ulmi. 

and  another  species. 
Tenthredo  (Schyzocera)  compar  ?  Leach. 

and  another  species. 
(Hylotoma)  erylhrosoma,  Leach. 

and  3  more  specie?. 
(Allantus)  Sambuci. 

and  13  more  species. 
(Selandria;  Vitis,  H. 

'  pygmse  ?   S. 

?  Cerasi,  Peck.  Slug-Worm. 
and  three  more  species. 
(Dosythaeus)sericeus,  S. 
arvensis,  S. 
collaris,  var  ?  S. 

and  4  more  species. 
(Emphytus)  inornatus  ?  S. 

and  3  more  species. 
(Craesus)   septentrionalis,  F. 
(Nematus) — eight  species. 
(Cladius) — two  species. 
(Lyda) — six  species. 

XIPHYDRIADJE. 

Xyela  ferruginea,  S. 

and  another  species. 
Cephus  abbreviatus,  S. 

and  three  more  species. 
Xiphydria — two  species. 

UROCERIDJE 

Oryssus—  three  species. 
Sirex  albicernis,  F. 
abdominalis. 
.Tremex  columba,  L. 

EVANIADJG. 

Paxylloma  ?     one  species. 
Fsenus — one  species. 
Evania  appendig aster  ?    Latreille. 
Pelecinus  polycerator,  F. 

and  another  species  ?  or  sex? 


Insects  587 


ICHNEUMONID.E. 

Eighty-eight  species  besides  the  following. 
Pimpla  atrata,  F. 
lunator,  F. 
Ophion  imbecillis,  S. 
Anomalon  Cecropiae. 

flavicornis,  S. 
Ichneumon ?    fulvus,  F. 

and  an  allied  species. 
Ichneumon  concitator,  S. 

Hispae. 

devinctor,  S. 

multor,  S. 

basiator,  S. 

alternator,  S. 

ferrugator?  S. 

centrator,  S. 

cingor,  S. 

uuifasciatorius,  S. 

lusorius,  S. 
Bracon  populator,  S. 
Chelonus  — two  species. 

DIPLOLEPIDID.2E. 

Diplolepis  Pini. 

Potentiilae. 

and  eleven  more  species. 

CHALCIDIDJE. 

Leucospis  affinis,  S. 
Chalciss — one  species. 
Torymus  Rosarum. 
Azaleae. 

and  another  species. 
Pteromalus  Arctiae. 
Vanesae. 
Clisiocampae. 

and  two  more  species. 
Eurytoma  Hordei,  H. 

and  two  more  species. 

PROCTOTRUPIADJE. 

Proctotrupes  cordatus,  S. 

and  two  more  species. 
Psilus  (Jurine) — one  species. 

CHRYSIDIDJE. 

Chrysis  nitidula  1  F.     czerulans  1  F. 
and  three  more  species. 

FORMICIADjE.   Ants. 

Formica — nine  species. 

Myrmica — one  species.  , 


588  Animals  in  Massachusetts. 


MUTILLIAD.E. 

Mutilla  —  four  species.    Stinging  Ants. 
Methoca  —  one  species. 

SCOLIADJE. 

Tiphia  inornata,  S. 

and  another  species. 
Plesia  —  one  species. 
Scolia  — one  species. 

SAPYGIADJE. 

Sapyga  —  two  species. 

POMPILIAD/E. 

Ceropales  bipunctata  ?S.  binotata  ?  S. 
and  two  more  species. 
Pompilus  tropicus,  F. 

and  ten  more  species. 
Miscus  —  one  species. 

SPHEGIADJE. 

Sphex  ichneumoneus,  L. 
flavipes,  F. 
cseruleus,  L. 
apicalis,  S. 
fulvicaulis,  S. 

and  four  more  species. 

BEMBECIADJE. 

Bembex  fasciata,  F. 
Monedula —  one  species. 

LARRIADJE. 

Astata  unicolor  ?  S. 

Larra  argentata,  Pal.  de  Beauvois. 

and  three  more  species. 
Nysson  —  one  species. 
Tripoxylon  —  three  species. 
Oxybelus  quadrinotatus,  S. 

and  six  more  species. 

CRABROMIADJE. 

Crabo  decemmaculatus,  S, 

gryphus. 

scutellum.  var.  S. 

and  seven  more  species. 
Cemonus  —  one  species. 
Pemphredon  concolor  ?  S. 
Mellinus  —  one  species. 
Stigmus  ?  —  one  species, 
Cerceris  deserta,  S. 

and  four  more  species. 


Insects.  589 


Philanthus  vertilabris,  S. 

and  five  more  species. 

VESPIAD.K.     Wasps  and  Hornets 

Three  species  besides  the  following. 
Vespa  (Odynerus)  quadricornis,  L.  cincta, 

[De  Geer.  uncinata,  F. 
pluricincta,  S 
incincta?  F, 

and  6  more  species. 
(Pterochilus  ?)  one  species. 
(Eumenes)  fraterna,  S. 

and  another  species. 
(Polistes)  fuscata,  F.  Common  Wasp. 

and  another  species. 
maculata,  L.   Common  Hornet. 
arenaria  ?  L. 
maculifrons,  S. 

and  one  more  species. 

ANDRENIADJE.     Solitary  Bees. 

Fifteen  species  besides  the  following. 
Hylaeus  sericeus,  Forster.  viridulus,  F. 
amoBnus,  S. 

and  three  more  species. 
Andrena  annularis,  Drury. 


Social  Bees. 
Eleven  species  besides  the  following. 
Xylocopa  victima,  S.    Wood-cutter  Bet. 
Osmia  metallica  ?  F.  caerulea,  S. 
Epeolus  mercatus,  F. 

and  another  species. 
Nomada  decora,  Say. 

and  three  more  species. 
Coslioxys  —  one  species. 
Megachile  latimana,  S. 

and  several  other  species.  Leaf-cutter  Bees. 
Ceratina  ?  —  four  species. 
Bombus  Americanorum,  L.  Humblebee. 
elatus,  F. 

and  twelve  more  species. 
Apis  mellifica,  L.—  introduced.  Honey  Bee. 

VII.  LEPIDOPTERA.  Butterflies  $  Moths. 

PAPILIONIADJE.     Butterflies. 
Papilio  Turnus,  L. 

Asterius,  Cramer. 
Troilus,  L. 
Pontia  oleracea,  H. 
Colias  f  hilodice,    Godart. 
Argynnis  Idalia,  Drury. 

Aphrodite,  F.  var.  Daphnis,  Cramer.  Cy- 
Melitaea  Phaeton,  Drury.  [bele,  F. 

Myrina,  Cramer. 


590  Animals  in  Massachusetts. 

Melitaea  Cocyta,Cramer.  Pharos?  Drury.    Tharos? 
Vanessa  Antiope,  L.  [Cr. 

Urticae.  L. 
interrogations,  F. 
PrognenCramer,  and  Godart. 
furcillata,  S. 
Cynthia  Atalanta,  L. 
Cardui,  L. 

Huntera,  F.  Belladona,  jPetiver.  lole,  Cr. 
Lavinia,  F.  Orythia,  Smith  —  Abbot. 
Hipparchia  Alope,  F.  &  Godart. 
Andromacha,  Hubner. 
Eurytris,  F.  Cymele,  Cramer, 
semidea,  S.  fortunata  ?  F. 
Limenitis  Ephestion,  Stoll.  Ursula,  F. 
Arthemis,  Drury. 
Misippus,  L. 

Danaus  Archippus,  F.  Flexippus,  Cramer. 
Lycaena  phlaeas  ?  L. 
Thecla  Damon,  Cramer. 
Pan  ?  Drury. 

and  five  more  species. 
Polyommatus  Argiolus,  L. 

and  two  more  species. 

HESPERIAN.  Skippers  or  Skipper  Butter-flies. 

Hesperia  Clarus,  Cramer.  Tityrus,  F. 
Bathyllu?,  Smith-Abbot. 
Juvenalis,  F. 

Juvenalis,  var.  Smith-Abbot, 
and  eight  more  species. 

SPHINGIAD.E.  Humming-Bird  or  Hawk  Moths. 

Smerinthus  excaecata,  Smith-Abbot, 
integerrima. 
myops,  Smith- Abbot, 
geminata,  S. 
Juglandis,  Smith-Abbot. 
Sphinx  lineata,  L. 
Epilobii. 
Carolina,  L. 
Ligustri  ?  L. 
gordius,  Cramer. 
Kalmiae,  Smith-Abbot. 
Grantor,  Cramer.  Achemon,  Drury. 
satellitia,  L.  Licaon  ?  Cramer. 
Hylaeus,  Drury.  Prini,  Smith-Abbot, 
pampinatrix,  Smith- Abbot.  My ron  ?  Cr. 
Azaleae  ?  Smith-Abbot.  Choerilus  ?  Cr. 

and  three  more  species. 
Thyreus  Abbotii,  Swainson. 
Macroglossa  Nessus,  Cramer. 
Sesia  pelasgus?  Cramer. 


Insects.  591 


.EGERIADJE. 

^g-eria  tricincta. 

Cucurbit®,  H. 

exitiosa.     Persicse,  Barton.     Peach-tree  Borer. 

fulviornis,  S. 

fulvipes. 

Pyri.  H. 

Tipuliformis,  L. 

and  four  more  species. 
Thyris  maculata. 


ZYGJENIADJE. 


Glancopis  pholus,  P. 
Aglaoped  ispar. 

BOMBYCIADJE. 

Hepialus  argenteomaculatus. 

Cossus  Robinise,  Peck.     Locust-tree  Cossus. 

crepera. 
Attacus  Luna,  L. 

Polyphemus,  L. 
Cecropia,  L. 
Promethea>  Drury. 
Saturnia  Proserpina»  F. 

Jo,  F.    , 
Ceratocampa  reg-alis,  F. 

imperialis,  F. 
Dryocampa  senatoria,  Smith  —  Abbot.     Astynome  ?  0. 

rubicunda,  F. 
Gastropacha  velleda,  Stoll. 

and  another  species. 

Clisiocampa  castrensis,  Smith  —  Abbot.     "  Caterpillar! 
neustria,  Smith  —  Abbot, 
pyxidifera  ?  Smith  —  Abbot. 
Bombyx  mori,  L.     Introduced  Silk  Worm. 

NOTODONTIAD.K, 

Pyg-sera  1  albifrons,  Smith  —  Abbot, 
ministra,  Drury. 

and  another  species. 
Notodonta  ang-uina,  Smith  — Abbot, 
concinna,  Smith  —  Abbot, 
unicornis,  Smith  —  Abbot, 
aurora,  Smith  — Abbot. 
?  grata,   F. 

and  four  more  species. 
Clostera  —  two  species. 
Cerura  —  two  species. 
Limacodes  scapha. 

and  another?  specie?. 

ARCTIADJE. 

Arctia  isabella,  6mith  —  Abbot. 

acria,  Drury.     male,  caprotina,  Drury. 

Virginica,  F. 

textor,  H.    Autumnal  Web  Caterpillar. 

virg-o,  Smith  —  Abbot. 

phyllira,  Smith  —  Abbot. 

fig'urata,  Drury. 


592  Animals  in  Massachusetts. 

Arctia  phalerata. 

Eefle,  Drury. 

tessellaris,  Smith  —Abbot. 

Caryse. 

and  another  species. 
Dasychira  7  Firmiana,  Cramer,    torrefacta,  Smith  —  Abbot. 

and  another  species. 
Orgyia  antiqua  1    L. 

and  two  more  species, 

LITHOSIADJE. 

Psychemorpha  maculata. 
Callimorpha?  militaris. 
Lithosia  Bella,  L. 

and  seven  more  species. 

NOCTUADJE. 

Erebus  odorus,  Drury. 
Catocala  nupta,  L. 

censors,  Smith,  Abbot. 
Epione,  Drury. 

and'six  more  species. 
Noctua  pyramidea  1  L. 

Aceris,  Smith,  Abbot, 
praemordens.     Cut  Worm. 
oleracea. 
verruca,  P. 
Jota,  Cramer, 
cingulata. 
Brassicariae  1  F. 
libatrix,  F. 
Emmedonia,  Cramer. 
Erichtea,  Cramer, 
lunata,  Drury. 
squamularis,  Drury. 

and  ninety  more  species. 

GEOMETRADJE. 

Geometra  vernata,  Peck,  brumata?  L.  Canker- Worm. 
catenaria,  Drury. 
undulata?  F. 
sospeta,  Drury. 
transversata  *?  Drury. 
vibicaria  1     Cramer, 
serrata,  Drury. 

and  fifty-nine  more  species. 
Platypteryx  erosa. 

PYRALIDjE. 

Herminia  —  eight  species. 
Margaritia  ?  —  one  species. 
Pyralis  farinalis,  L. 
atralis  ?  F. 

and  five  more  species. 

TORTRICIDJE. 

Tortrix  Pomona,  L.     Apple-  Worm. 

and  thirty-two  more  species. 


Insects.  593 

TlNEADjE. 

Galleria  cereana,  P.    Bee-  Moth. 

and  three  more  species. 
Crambus  nivalis,  Drury. 
Humuli. 
asperg-illus,  Coquebert  —  Bosc. 

and  twenty-six  more  species. 
Yponoineuta  —  two  species. 
Tinea  g-landis. 

pellionella,  L.     Clothes  Moth. 

and  ten  more  species. 
Pterophorus  —  four  species. 

VIII.     STREPSIPTERA. 

XenosPeckii,  Kirby. 

IX.     DIPTERA. 

Musquetos. 


Culex  damnosus,  S. 
cing-ulatus,  P. 

and  twenty  species  besides. 

TIPULADAE     Gnats. 

Tipula—  ten  species. 
Pedicia  —  one  species. 
Ptychoptera  clavipes,  L. 
Chionea  —  one  species. 
Sciara  —  one  species. 
Bibio  brunnlpes,  F. 
albipennis,  S. 

and  three  more  species. 
Dilophus  —  one  species. 

STRATIOMYIADJE. 

Stratiomys  —  seven  species. 
Nemotelus—  one  species. 
Sargus  —  three  species. 

XYLOPHAGIDJS. 

Xylophagus  —  four  species. 

TABANIADAE. 


Tabanus  cinctus,  F. 

lineola,  F.    occidentals  ?  L. 
divisus. 

and  seven  more  species. 
Chrysops  ferrugatus?  F. 

and  six  more  species. 

RHAGIONIADAE. 

Seven  species  besides  the  following. 
Calobata  antennaepes,  S. 

and  two  others. 

75 


594  Insects. 


ASILIAD^E. 

20  species  besides  the  following. 
Midas  filata,  Latseille.  clavata  1  Drury  and  F. 
Laphria  thoracica,  F. 

atribarbis,  S. 

flavicollis,  S. 

posticata,  S. 

fulvicauda,  S. 

sericea,  S. 
Aeilus  sericeus,  S. 

ANTHRACIDAE. 

Anthrax  morioides,  S. 

and  three  more  species. 
Thereva — one  species. 
Bombylius  aequalis,  F. 

and  one  other  species. 

SYRPHIAD.E. 

45  species  besides  the  following. 
Xylota  ejuncida,  S. 

proxima,  S. 

haematodes,  S. 
Rhingia  nasica,  S. 

CONOPIAD.E. 

Sixteen  species  besides.the  following. 
CoBope  sagittaria,  S. 

calcitrans '?    L. 

•YTtCIADJC. 

Forty-eight  species  besides  the  following. 
Sphyracephala  brevicornis,  Say. 
Musca  cerasina,  S.  iv  u 

vomitoria,  L. 

carnaria,  L.    Flesh-Fly. 

caesar,  L. 

CES  TRIAD  JE. 

OEstrus  cuccatus  7  F.  Cuniculi  1  Clarke. 
Equi,  L.  Bot-Fly,  or  Bot-Bee. 
Bovis,  L. 
Ovis,  L. 

and  three  more  species. 

HIPPOBOSCIAPJS. 
Ornithomyia  Falconis. 


X.   APTERA. 
Pulex  irritans,  L.  Common  Flea. 


Insects. 

NUMBER    OF    SPECIES. 

I.  Coleoptera 

994 

II.  Orthopera 
III.  Hemiptera 

44 
102 

IV.  Omoptera 

54 

V.  Neuroptera 

91 

VI.  Hymenopetera 

388 

VII.  Lepidoptera 

428 

VIII.  Strepsiptera 

1 

IX.  Diptera 

247 

X.  Aptera 

1 

2350 

The  insects  enumerated  in  the  preceding-  list,  with  the  exception  of  about  half  a 
dozen,  are  contained  in  my  cabinet ;  and  most  of  them  were  collected  in  the  vi- 
cinity of  Boston.  With  them  are  included  some,  which,  though  found  beyond  the 
boundaries  of  the  State,  may  eventually  be  detected  in  Massachusetts.  For  these 
and  an  immense  number  of  duplicates  I  am  indebted  to  my  friend  the  Rev.  L.  W. 
Leonard,  who  has  still  more  increased  my  obligations  to  him  by  his  disinterested 
liberality  in  sending1  me  even  the  rare  and  undescribed  insects  of  which  he  pos- 
sessed no  duplicates.  Dr.  D.  S.  C.  H.  Smith  has  kindly  supplied  me  with  a  suit 
of  insects  from  Sutton,  Massachusetts,  among  which  were  nearly  a  hundred  spe- 
cies new  to  my  collection.  My  acknowledgements  are  due  also  to  Wm.  Oakes, 
Esq.  of  Ipswich,  particularly  for  the  water- beetles  ;  and  to  Prof.  N.  M.  Hentz, 
formely  of  Northampton,  to  Drs.  Pickering,  Gould,  and  J.  S.  C.  Greene,  Mr. 
John  Randall,  Mr.  T.  Nuttall,  Mr.  John  Bethune,  and  Miss  D.  Dix,  for  several  in- 
teresting insects. 

Even  with  these  augmentations  the  present  list  must  fall  far  short  of  the  actual 
number  of  species  or  kinds  existing  in  this  Commonwealth.  The  proportion  of 
insects  to  plants  has  been  stated  to  be  six  species  of  the  former  to  one  of  the  latter. 
The  flowering  plants  of  Massachusetts  amount  to  above  1200  species  ;  hence  our 
insects  cannot  be  much  less  in  number  than  7000  species. 

Entomology,  within  a  few  years,  has.  engaged  the  attention  of  some  of  the  first 
naturalists  of  Europe ;  and,  since  the  days  ot  Linne  and  of  Pabricius,  vast  acces- 
sions have  been  made  to  the  number  of  known  insects,  and  great  improvements  in 
the  science  have  been  introduced.  The  results  ot  this  augmented  knowledge 
have  not  yet  reached  us,  and  are  beyond  the  means  of  most  individuals  in  this 
country.  Should  any  of  the  sons  of  New  England  have  the  inclination  to  turn 
their  attention  to  this  interesting  branch  of  Natural  History,  they  must,  for  want 
of  the  necessary  books  on  the  subject,  remain  in  ignorance  of  the  labors  of  their 
European  contemporaries ;  and,  although  they  may  have  discovered  many  curious 
and  valuable  facts  respecting  our  native  insects,  they  must  resign  to  foreigners 
the  honor  of  making  known  the  objects  of  their  investigations. 

A  long  list  of  names  in  a  dead  language  may  perhaps  be  considered  as  a  pedan- 
tic and  useless  exhibition.  As  an  apology  for  this  it  may  be  stated  that  but  a 
very  few  of  our  insects  have  received  popular  names,  and  that  therefore  I  have 
been  compelled  to  give  only  the  scientific  names  by  which  they  are  known  to  nat- 
uralists. It  is  a  matter  of  deep  regret  to  me  that  even  this  list  of  hard  names  is 
so  very  imperfect,  and  that  so  many  species  have  been  left  unnamed.  For  this 
omission  no  other  excuse  can  be  ottered  than  a  reference  to  the  obstacles  and  diffi- 
culties already  mentioned,  which  unavoidably  arrest  the  American  naturalist  in 
the  midst  of  his  investigations. 

To  the  names  of  insects  which  have  been  ascertained  through  published  des- 
criptions I  have  added  the  names  or  initials  of  the  first  describers,  together  with 
some  of  the  most  common  synonyms,  which  have  been  subsequently  imposed.  A  few 
names,  without  any  authorities  annexed  will  also  be  found  on  this  list ;  they  are 
applied  to  species,  which,  as  far  as  I  can  ascertain,  do  not  appear  to  have  been 
published :  these  it  is  my  hope  soon  to  make  known  by  means  of  necessary  de- 
scriptions. T.  WILLIAM  HARRIS. 
Cambridge,  (Mass.)  Feb.  1833. 


IX.  RADIATA. 


This  extensive  class  of  animals  has  yet  received  but  little  attention  in  Massa- 
chusetts ;  comprehending-  as  it  does,  creatures  of  not  much  use  to  man,  and  for 
the  most  part  inhabiting"  places  out  of  the  reach  of  common  observation.  In  re- 
spect to  some  of  them,  also,  it  seems  not  yet  to  be  agreed,  whether  they  ought  to 
be  regarded  as  animals  or  plants.  Through  the  assistance  of  Dr.  Gould,  I  am 
able  to  mention  a  few  genera  and  species.  But  I  hope  the  deficiency  of  the  list 
will  lead  those  naturalists  who  are  favourably  situated  for  examining  these  an- 
imals, to  enlarge  and  perfect  it. 

Similar  remarks  might  be  made  in  respect  to  our  Annelides  ;  a  much  less  nu- 
merous class  of  animals.  A  few  of  these  indeed,  such  as  the  leceh  (Hirudo)  and 
earth  worm,  (Lumbricus,)  are  very  common  and  well  known  ;  but  injgeneral  they 
possess  but  little  interest  or  importance. 

I.    ECHIXODERMATA. 

Asterias  spinosus.     Sea-Star.     Cape  Cod.     &c. 
Echinus  granulatus.     Cape  Cod,  Boston  Harbor.     &c. 
Scutella  pentaphora.     Cape  Cod. 
trifaria.  I 

II.    INTESTINA. 

Filaria — various  species. 

Tricocephalus  Do. 

Ascaris  Do. 

Taenia.  inhabiting  man,  the  cat,  rabbit,  &c. 

Ill    ACALEPHA. 

Medusa — one  or  two  species  on  the  coast. 

IV.    POLYPI. 

Actinia— one  species,  Nahant. 
Madrepora — several  species. 

Spongia  fluviatilis,  L.     In  ponds.     Leverett,    Chesterfield,  &c.    and 
at  least  two  other  species  at  Chelsea  and  Charlestown. 

V.    INFUSORIA. 
Vibrio  aceti. 

And  many  other  genera  and  species  in  the  various  kinds  of  infu- 
sions of  vegetable  and  animal  substances. 


Additional  Catalogue  of  Fishes.  597 

POSTSCRIPT. 
Since  the  Catalogue  of  Fishes  on  page  553  was  printed,  I  have  received  from 


to  say,  that  the  Catalogue  already  printed  was  prepared  a  year  or  two  since  ; 
and  that  he  has  continued  since  that  time  to  study  our  fishes  with  great  dili- 
gence. As  several  changes  of  names  appear  in  the  following  list,  I  have 
thought  it  best  to  give  it  Entire  ;  although  this  renders  some  repetition  unavoi- 
dable. I  give  it  likewise  in  the  precise  hrm,verbatim  el  pene  lteralim,m  which  it 
was  sent :  and  I  would  here  take  occasion  to  observe,  that  an  adherence  to 
this  rule,  so  far  as  possible,  is  the  reason  why  there  is  so  much  of  diversity 
in  the  manner  of  printing  the  several  catalogues  in  this  part  of  the  Report. 

Petromyzon  ATarinus — Sea  Lamprey. 

Petromyzon  Fluviatilis — Fresh,   water    Lamprey — in  fresh  water. 

Scyllium  Canicula — Sea-dog — a  small  Shark. 

Scyllium  Catulus—     "  u 

Carcharias  Vulgaris — White  Shark. 

Carcharias  Vulpes — Fox  Shark  or  Thrasher. 

Zygsena  Vulgaris — Hammer-headed  Shark. 

Seleche  Maximus — Basking  Shark. 

Torpedo  Vulgaris — Numbing  Fish. 

Raia  Clavata—  Thornback. 

Raia  Batis— Skate. 

Trygon  Pastinacea — Sting  Ray. 

Accipenser  Sturio — Sturgeon. 

Aluteres  Monoceros — Filefish. 

Ostracion  Triqueter — Mailed  or  trunk  fish. 

Ostracion  Bicaudalis—     "     "     " 

Tetraodon  Turgidus— Swell-fish. 

Syngnathus  Typhle — Little  pipefish. 

Salmo  Salar — Salmon — in  Salt  and  fresh  water. 

Salmo  Trutta  —  Salmon   Trout — in  fresh    and  Salt 

Salmo  Fario — Common  Trout — fresh  water,    [water. 

Salmo  Hucho— Hunchen  Trout—"         " 

Osmerus  Eperlanus — Smelt. 

Clupea  Harengus — Common  Herring. 

Clupea  Menhaden — Bony  fish-Menhaden. 

Clupea  Alosa — Shad 

Clupea  Vernalis — JLlewife. 

Clupea  Minima — Brit. 

Esox  Lucius — Common  Pike  or  Pickerel — fresh  water. 

Esox  Belone — Sea  Pike. 

Exocetus  Mesogaster — Flying  fish. 

Cypriuus  Auratus — Golden  Carp — fresh  water. 

Cyprinua  Crysoleucas — Shiner — fresh  water. 

Cyprinus  Atronasus — Minow — fresh  water. 
*•  Cyprinus   Oblongus—  Chub — fresh  water. 

Cyprinus  Teres — Sucker — fresh  water. 

Abramis  Chrysoptera — Bream— fresh  water. 

Leuciscus  Rutilus — Roach — fresh  water. 

Leuciscus  Vulgaris — Dace — fresh  water. 

Leuciscus  Alburnus — Bleak — fresh  water. 

Leuciscus  Cephalus— Head  or  short  Chub — fresh  water. 

Silurus — Horn  Pout — fresh  water. 

Gadus  Morrhua — Common  Cod. 

76 


598  Animah  in  Mas&asmchusettt 

Gadus  Rupestris — Rock  Cod. 

Gadus  Arenosus — Shoal  Cod. 

Brosraus  Vulgaris — dusk  or  Torsft, 

Gadus  Merluccius — Hake. 

Gadus  jEglefiuus — Haddock. 

Merlangus^  Vulgaris—  Whiting. 

Merlangus  Pollachius — Pollock. 

Gadus  Taucaud— Tom  Cod. 

Blennius  Viviperus — Blenny. 

Raniceps  Blennioides —  " 

Kypoglossus  Vulgaris — Halibut. 

Pleuronectes  Vulgaris — Flounder. 

Plalessa  Vulgaris —  Plaise. 

Solea  Vulgaris — Sole. 

Rhombus  Maximus — Turbot. 

Cyclopterus  Lumpus — Lump  Fish. 

Cyclopterus  Minutus — Small  Lump  Fish. 

Echeneis  Remora — Sucking  Fish. 

Echeneis  Naucrates — Indian  Sucking  Fish. 

Anguilla  Vulgaris — Common  Eel.  fresher  salt  water, 

Muraena  Conger — Conger  Eel. 

Anarchicas  Lupus — Sea  Wolf. 

Labrus  Tautoga — Tautog. 

Labrus  Coricus — Blue  perch. 

Labrus  Squeteague — Weak-fish. 

Labrus  Maculatus—  Spotted-fish. 

Crenilabrus  Merula — Blue  back. 

Scorpsena  Porcus — Yellow  Sculpin. 

Scorpsena  Scrofa —    "  " 

Scorp8Bna  Gibbosa— "  " 

Mullus  Barbatus — Red  mullet. 

Perca  Fluviatalis — River  perch — fresh  water. 

Bodianus  Leucos — Silver  perch — fresh  water. 

Bodianus  Rufus — Red  perch — fresh  water. 

Bodianus  Pallidus — White  perch — fresh  water. 

Bodianus  Flavescens — Yellow  perch — fresh  water, 

Perca  Labrax — Striped  bass — salt  or  fresh  water. 

Uranoscopus  Scaber — 

Trigla  Palmipes — Web-fingered  Gurnard. 

Cottus  Gobio — Bull-head — fresh  water. 

Cottus  Quadricornus — Se.a-bull. 

Cottus  Scorpius — Sculpin. 

Cottus  Cataphractus — Armed  bull-head. 

Batrachus  Grunniens — Grunting  bull-head. 

Loppius  Piscatorius — Mouse-fish — angler. 

Scomber  Grex — Chub-mackerel. 

Scomber  Vernalis — Spring  mackerel. 

Scomber  Crysos — Yellow  mackerel. 

Scomber  Plumbeus — Horse  mackerel. 

Scomber  Macculatus — Spanish  mackerel. 

Scomber  Scomber — Common  mackerel. 

Mullus  Surmuletus — Surmullet. 

Scomber  Thynnus — Tunny. 

Centronotus  Ductor — Pilot  fish. 

Zeus  Faber — Common  dory. 

Chrysotosus  Luna — Moon  fish. 

Xippius  Gladius — Swordfish. 

Seserinus  Alepidotus 

Fistularia  Tabacaria — Tobacco-pipe  fish. 


X.  CATALOGUE  OF  PLANTS, 

GROWING  WITHOUT  CULTIVATION. 

In  the  arrangement  of  the  following  Catalogue,  I  have  followed, — as  the  la- 
test and  most  accurate, — the  Natural  System  of  Prof.  Lindley,  as  adapted  to 
North  American  Plants  by  Professor  Torrey.  The  sources  from  which  I  have 
derived  materials  for  constructing  this  list,  are  mainly  the  following  :  First, 
Professor  Bigelow's  "Collection  of  Plants  of  Boston  and  its  vicinity."  (1824.) 
Secondly,  "  A  Catalogue  of  Plants  Growing  without  cultivation  in  the  vicinity 
of  Amherst  College  ;"  (1829,)  with  tuch  additions  and  corrections  as  I  have 
been  able  to  make  since  the  time  of  its  publication.  Thirdly,  Professor  Dewey'a 
Catalogue  of  Plants  found  m  the  County  of  Berkshire,  (1829,)  inserted  in  the 
History  of  Berkshire.  Fourthly,  the  manuscript  communications  of  Thomas 

A.  Greene  Esq.  containing  a  notice  of  such  plants  as  he  has  discovered  in   the 
vicinity  of  New  Bedford  and  on  the  island  of  Nantucket,  not  mentioned  in  the 
last  edition  of  Bigelow's  "  Florula  Bostoniensis-  " 

To  the  Latin  or  scientific  names  of  the  plants,  I  have  attached  their  common 
names,  whenever  I  could  ascertain  that  they  have  excited  attention  enough  to 
receive  a  common  name.  But  it  will  be  seen  that  comparatively  few  of  our 
plants  have  received  common  names. 

When  a  capital  A.  is  attached  to  a  species,  it  implies  that  the  plant  grows  in 
the  vicinity  of  Amherst :  B  implies  that  it  occurs  in  the  vicinity  of  Boston:  N. 

B.  that  it  is  found  in  the  region  around  New   Bedford;  and  B — e  that  Berkshire 
County  is  its  place  of  growth.     In  other  cases,  especially  where  the  species  is 
very  rare,  the  name  of  the  town  where   it  .occurs  is  mentioned.     When  no  lo- 
cal designation  is  annexed,  I  have  reason   to  suppose  that   the  plant  may   be 
found  in  any  part  of  the  State  of  considerable  extent.     In  some  of  the  flower- 
less  plants,  however,  there  is  an  exception  to  this  remark  ;  as  will  be  mention, 
ed  under  Muscoideae. 

In  reducing  our  plants  to  the  Natural  Orders  I  have  received  the  assistance 
of  Dr.  John  Blodget  of  A  inherit. 


ABBREVIATIONS. 

?  Indicates  a  doubt  as  to  the  species.  . 

§  Prefixed  to  those  plants  that  have  been  introduced  or  naturalized- 

Namts  of  Botanical  Writers. 


Ait. 

for 

Aiton. 

Brid. 



Bridel. 

Big. 

— 

Bigelow. 

R.  Br. 

— 

R.  Brown. 

Bull. 



Bullard. 

De.  Cand. 



Decandolle. 

Dicks. 

—  Dickson. 

Dill. 

—  Dillenius. 

Ehrh. 



Ehrh  art. 

Ell. 

— 

Elliott. 

Fr. 



Fries. 

Hall. 



Haller. 

Hedw. 
1'Herit. 

—  Hedwig. 
—  1'Heritier. 

Hook. 



Hooker. 

Hoffm. 



Hoffman. 

Jacq. 

— 

Jacquin. 

Lamb. 

— 

Lambert. 

L. 

— 

Linnaeus. 

Lmk. 



Lamarck. 

MX. 



Michaux. 

MX.  f. 

— 

Michaux  filius. 

Muhl. 
Nutt. 

— 

Muhlenberg  . 
Nuttall. 

P.  de  B. 



Palisot  de  Beauvois 

Pers. 



Persoon. 

Ph. 



Pursh. 

Salis. 

— 

Salisbury. 

Schaeff. 



Schaeffer  . 

Schk. 



Schkuhr. 

Schrad. 



Schrader. 

Schreb. 



Schreber. 

Schw. 



Schweinitz. 

Sibth. 



Sib  thorp. 

Sm. 



Smith  . 

Spreng. 

— 

Sprengel. 

Sw. 

— 

Swartz. 

Tor. 



Torrey. 

Tourn. 



Tournefort. 

Vent. 



Ventenat. 

Walt. 



Walter. 

Wang. 
Web.&M. 

— 

Wengenheim. 
Weber  &  Mohr. 

W. 

— 

Willdenow. 

CLASS  I.  —  VASCULARES 

'*"%*     **r,  ••••'• 

OR 

FLOWERING  PLANTS. 

SUB  CLASS  I.  — EXOGENAE  OR  DICOTYLEDONS. 
TRIBE  I. — ANGIOSPERMAE. 

1  Polypetalous,  Apetalous,  and  Achlamydeous  Plants. 

ORDER    ARALIACE^E. 

Aralia  L. 

hispida,  MX.  Bristly  Stem-Sarsaparilla. 

nudicaulis,  L.   Wild  Sarsaparilla. 

racemosa,  L.  Spikenard. 
Panax  L. 

quinquefolium,  Lr.     Ginseng.     A. 

trifolium,  L.     Dwarf  Ground  Nut. 

UMBELLIFERAE. 

Aethusa  L. 

§  cynapium,  L.     FooVs  Parsley.     Boston. 
Angelica,  L. 

triquinata,  MX.     Atropurpurea,    L.    Angelica. 
Cicuta  L. 

bulbifera,  L.         Bulbiferous  Cicuta. 

maculata,     L.     American  Hemlock. 
Conium  L. 

maculatum,  L.    Poison  Hemlock. 
Daucus  L. 

§carota,'L.  Carrot.         B — e. 
Discopleura  De  Cand. 

capillacea,  De   Cand.  Ammi  capillaceum    Spreng.      N.  B.    Bishop- 

[  Weed. 
Heracleum     L. 

laudtum,  MX.     Cow  Parsnip. 
Hydrocotyle     L. 

americana,  L. 

umbellata,  L.     B. 

vulgaris,  MX.     N.  B. 
Ligusticum     L. 

scoticum,     L.     B.         Lovag*. 
Pastinaca     L:     Parsnip. 

§  ativa,   L. 
Sanicula  L. 

Marilandica,  L.  Sanicle. 


602  Plants  in  Massachusetts. 

Sison  L.         Chaerohyllum.     Pers. 

Canadense  L.     Hone- Wort     Mock  Sanide. 
Sium  L. 

latifolium,  L.      Water  Parsnip. 

line  are,  MX. 
Smyrnium     L. 

aureum,  L.   Sison  aureus  Spreng.     Thaspium  aureum,     Nutt.   Mead- 

[ow  Parsnip.     A.. 

Uraspermum     Nutt. 

clay toni,  Nutt.     Sweet  Sicily.         Scandix.  dulcis,     Muhl. 
liirsutum,  Big.  B. 

RANUNCULACAE. 

Actaea  L. 

alba,  Big. 

rubra,       Bane-berry.     W. 
Anemone  L. 

nemorosa,  L.  Low  Jlnemone. 

thalictroides,  L.  Rue  ^Anemone. 

Virginiana,  L.      Wind- Flower. 

Aquilegia   L. 

canadensis,  L.     Columbine. 

Atragene  L. 

Americana,  Sims.     Atragene. 

Caltha  L. 

palustris,  W.     Cowslip. 
Clematis    L. 

virginiana,  L.  Virgins  Bower. 
Coptis    Salisbury. 

trifolia,  Salis.     Gold  Thread. 
Hepatica  W. 

triloba,  W.     Liverwort. 
Ranunculus  L. 

abortivus,  L. 

acris,  L.     Buttercup. 

bulbosus,  L. 

cymbalaria,  Ph. 

fascicularis,  Muhl. 

filiformis,  IVJuhl. 

flammula,  L.     Spear  Wort. 

fluvitalis,  L.    River  Crowfoot. 

hirsutus,  Curtis.     B— e. 

multifidus,  Ph.  B. 

Pennsylvanicus,  L.  B. 

recurvatus,  L. 

repens,  L. 

sceleratus,  L.     Celery  Crowfoot. 
Thalictrum  L. 

dioicum,  L.     Meadow  Rue. 

coryuellum,  Decand. 

PAFAVERACEAE. 

Chelidonum  L. 

majus,  W.     Celandine. 
Sanguinaria  L. 

Cauadeusis,  L.     Blood  Root. 


Flowering  Plants.  603 

'  t 

NYMPHAEACEAE. 

Nymphsea  L. 

odorata,  Ait.     White  Pond  Lily. 
Nuphar  Sm. 

advena,  Ait.     Yellow  Water  Lily. 

kalmiana,  Ait. 

IIYDROPELTIDEAE. 

Hydropeltis    MX-. 

purpurea,  MX.     Water  Shield. 
FODOPHYLLEAE. 

Podophyllum    L. 

peltatum,  L.     May  Apple. 

CRUCIFERAE. 

Arabis  L. 

falcata,  MX.     Canadensis,  W. 
hastata,  L.    Hairy  Tower  Mustard. 
hirsuta,  Smith, 
rhomboidea,  Ph.  B. 
thaliana,  L.    Spring  Cress.    B— e. 
Barbarea  R.  Brown. 

vulg-aris,  R.  B.     Erysimum  barbarea,  L.     Water  Radish. 

Brassica  L. 

§  napus,  L.     Kale. 
Caldle  L. 

maritima,  Nutt  Bunias  maritima,  Ph.  B.     Am.  Sea  Rocket. 

Cardamine  L. 

Pennsylvania,  W.     Water  Cress. 

Virginica,  W.     B— e. 

teres?    MX.     A.      Dr.  G.  White.  >r^    .; 

Cochlearia  L. 

§  armoracea,  L.     Horse  Radish. 

Dentaria  L. 

diphylla,  MX.      Tooth  Root.   A. 
lacmiata,  W.     A. 

Draba  L. 

verna,  L.    N.  B.    Bigelow.  ^ 

Erysimum  L. 

officinale,  L.  Hedge  Mustard 
Leipidium    L. 

Virginicum,  L.     Wild  Peppergrass. 
Raphanus  L. 

§  raphanistrum,  L.  Cadlock,    Wild  Radish. 
Sinapis   L 

§  nigra,  Smith.     Mustard. 
Sisymbrium  L. 

amphibium,  L.     Water  Radish. 

nasturtium,  L.    English  Water  Crest. 

Thlaspi  L. 

bursa-pastoris,  L.     Shepherds  Purse 
campestris,  L.     Yellowseed. 


604  Plants  in  Massachusetts. 


FUMARIACEAE. 

Corydalis  Vent. 

cucullaria,  Pers.    Colic  Weed. 
formosa,  Ph.  A. 

fung-osa,  Pers.     Climbing  Colic  Weed. 
glauca,  Ph. 
Fumaria  L. 

§  officinalis,  L.     Fumitory. 

MAGNOLIACEAE. 

Liriodendron  L. 

tulipifera,  L.     Tulip   Tree.     A.  and  N.  B. 

Magnolia  L. 

glauca,  L.     Beaver  Tree.  Swamp  Laurel.     Gloucester. 
LAURINEAE. 

Laurus    L. 

benzoin,  L.     Spice  Bush.  Fever  Bush. 
sassafras,  L.     Sassafras. 

BERBERIDEAE. 

Berberis    L. 

vulg-aris,  MX.     Barberry. 
Leontice  L. 

thalictroides,  L.      Caulophyllum  thalictroides,  MX.    Pappose 
Root.    Cohosh. 

MENISPERMEAE. 

Menispermum  L. 

Canadense,  L.     Moonseed.    A. 

MALVACEAE. 

Althaea  L. 

officinalis,  L.     Marsh  Mallows.     B.  and  N.  B. 
Hibiscus  L. 

palustris,  L.  B.     Marsh  Hibiscus. 
Malva  L. 

rotundifolia,  L.     Low  Mallows. 

Sida  L. 

abutilon,  L.  Indian  Mallows,  A. 

TILIACEAE. 

Tilia  L. 

glabra,  Vent.  Bass  Wood. 
pubescens,  Vent.  Bass  Wood. 

HYPERICINEAE. 

Hypericum  L. 

angulosum,  MX. 

ascyroides,  W.  Saint  John*i  Wort. 

Canadense,  L. 

corymbosum,  W. 

cystifolium,  Lmk.  A. 

parviflorum,  W. 

perforatum,  L.     St.  John's  Wort. 

sarothra,  MX.     Sarothra  gentianoidea  L. 

virjjinicum,  L.     Elodea  campanulata  Ph. 


Flowering  Plants  605 

SAXIFRAGEAE. 

Chrysosplenium  L. 

Americanum  Hooker,  oppositifolium,  L.  Golden  Saxifrage. 

Mitella  L. 

cordifolia,  Lamb.     B — e. 

diphylla,  L.     Currant  Berry.  A. 
Parnassia     L. 

Caroliniana,  MX.     Parnassus  Grass. 
Saxifraga  L. 

Pennsylvania,  L.  Water  Saxifrage. 

Virginiensis,  MX.  Rock  Saxifrage, 
Tiarella    L. 

cordifolia,  L.  Mitre  Wort. 

HAMAMILIDEAE. 

Hamamelis  L. 

virginica,  L.     Witch  Basel. 

GROSULARIAE. 

Ribes  L. 

cynobasti,  Jacq.    B  —  e  Wild  Gooseberry. 

gracile,  MX.  A. 

floridum,  1'Herit.     Black  Currant. 

lacusrre,  Ph.  A.  &  B—  e  Gooseberry. 

prostratum,  L  Herit.  A. 

rigens,  MX.  B  &  A. 

triflorum,  W.  Wild  Gooseberry. 

trifidum,  MX.  B —  e. 

CACTEAE. 

Cactus  L. 

opuntia,  L.  Nantucket  T.  A.  Greene.     Prickly  Pear. 

ONAGRARIAE. 

Epilobium  L- 

coloratura,  Muhl. 

lineare,  Muhl.  rosmarinifolium,  Ph. 

molle,  Torrey.  A. 

spicatum,  Lam.     Willow  Herb. 
Isnardia  L. 

palustris,  L.     Water  Purslane. 

alternifolia,  De.  Cand.  Seed  Box.  Ludwlgia  alternifoha  L. 
CEnothera  L. 

biennis,  ~L$Scabish.  Tree  Primrose. 

fruticosa,  L.  Plymouth.  T.  A.  Greene. 

pumila,   L. 

HALORAGEAE. 

Myriophyll  um  L. 

ambiguum,  Nuttall.  N.  B. 
procumbens,  Big.  Danvers. 
spicatum.  L.  B. 
77 


606  Plants  in  Massachusetts. 

Myriophyllum. 

tenellum,  Big.  Te\^ksbury  and  Plainfield  , 

verticillatum,  L.  Water  Milfoil. 
Proserpinaca  L. 

palustris,  L.  Mermaid  Weed. 

pectinace"ci,' Lain.  N.  B. 

CIRCAECAE. 

Circsea    L. 

alpina,  L.  Enchanters  Night  Shade. 
lutetiana,  L.  Canadensis.  Muhl. 

LOASEA. 

Centaurella  MX. 

paniculata,  MX.     Screw  Stem. 

SALICARIAE. 

Ammannia  L. 

humilis,  MX.  B. 
Cuphea  Jac. 

vicosisima,  Pittsfield.  Dr.  G.  White. 
Ly thrum  L. 

hyssopifolium,  L.  B. 

salicaria,  Ph.  N.  B. 

verticillatum.  L.  Swamp  willow  Herb. 

MELASTOMACEAE. 

Rhexia  L. 

virginica,  L.     Meadow  Beauty.  Deer  grass* 

ARISTOLOCHIAE. 

Asarum  L. 

Canadense,  L.  Wild  Ginger. 

SANTALACEAE. 

.Nyssa  L. 

bilflora,  W.  Sour  Gum.  A.  and  Plymouth  T.  A.  Greene. 
Thesium  L. 

umbullatum,  L.     False  Toad  Flax. 

THYMELE^E. 

Dirca  L. 

palustris,  L.     Moose  Wood.     Leather  Wood. 

SANTTGISORBEAE. 

Sanguisorba  L. 

Canadensis,  L.  Burnet  Saxifrage.     A.  &  B. 

ROSACEAE. 

Agrimonia  L. 

eupatoria,  L.  Agrimony. 
Dalibarda  L. 

fragrarioides,  MX.         B — e  and  A. 

repens,  Lmk.     Greenfield  and  Princeton. 


Flowering  Plants.  607 

Fragraria  L. 

virginiana,  L.  Strawberry. 
Geum  L. 

rivale,  L.  Purple  diverts. 

strictum,  Ait.  Upright  Averts.                ^  .                                                ; 

virginianum,  L.  Averts. 
Potentilla  L. 

anserina,  L.  B. 

arg-entea,  L.  Silver  Five  Fingers. 

Canadensis,  L.    Five  Finger. 

confertiflora,  Torrey.  Bootia  sylvestsri,  Big1.  Geum  argrimoni- 
oides.  Ph.     arguta  Ph.     Hooker. 

fruticosa,  L. ' 

Norwegica,  L.     Cinquefoil. 

palustris,  Scop.     Comarum  palustre,  L.     B — e  and  B. 

simplex,  MX.     B. 

tridentata,  Ait.     Hoosac  Mountain  and  Wachusett. 
Rosa  L. 

corymbosa,  Ehrhart.     Carolinia,  L.     Swamp  Rose. 

lucida,  Ehrh.     B— e. 

micrantha,  Sm.  B. 

parviflora,  Ehrh.     Caroliniana,  MX. 

§  rubiginosa,  L.     Sweet  Briar. 
Rubus  L. 

Canadensis,  L. 

frondosus,  Big-.  .  B. 

obovalis,  L. 

occidentalis,,  L.     Black  Raspberry. 

odoratus,  L.     Flowering  Raspberry. 

setosus,  Big1.  B. 

strig-osus,  MX.     Red  Raspberry. 

saxatilis,  MX.     Stone  Raspberry.     B. 

trivialis,  MX.     Dewberry. 

villosus,  Ait.     Blackberry. 

Spiraea  L. 

salicifolia,  MX.     Hard  Hack. 
tomentosa,  L.     Steeple  Bush. 

POMACEAE. 

Crategus  L. 

coccinea,  L.     Thorn  Bush. 
crus  galli,  L.     B.      Thorn  Bush. 
punctata,  Jacq.     Thorn  Bush. 
Pyrus  L.      Aronia  Pers. 

Americana,  De  Cand.    Sorbus  Americana,  Ph.  Mountain  Ash. 

arbutifolia,  W. 

botryapium,  L. 

ovalis,  W. 

sang-uinea,  Ph.     Western  part  of  the  State  ?     Big-clow. 

AMYGDALEAE. 

Primus  L. 

Americana,  Marshall.     Wild  Plum.     A. 
borealis,  Ph. 
Canadensis,    W. 


608  Plants  in  Massachusetts. 

Primus.  v 

depressa,  Ph.     Sand  Cherry. 

littoralis,  Big-.    B. 

mollis,  Torrey.  B — e. 

pumila,  L.  A. 

serotina,  Ehrh.     Choke  Cherry. 

'Virg-iniana,  L.     Wild  Cherry. 

LEGUMINOSEAE. 

Amphicarpa  Ell. 

monoica,  Nutt.     Pea   Vine. 
Apios  Moench. 

tuberosa,  Ph.     Ground  Nut. 

Baptisia  Vent. 

tinctoria,  R.     Brown.      Wild  Indigo. 

Cassia  L. 

chamaecrista,  L.     Partridge  Pea. 

Marilandica,  L.     Wild  Senna. 

nictitans,  L.     Hadley,  Spring-field,  and  N.  B. 
Crotolaria  L. 

sag-ittalis,  MX.     Rattle  Box. 
Genista   Lam. 

tinctoria,  L.     Dyer's  Weed.     B. 
Hedysarum  L. 

acuminatum,  MX. 

bracteosum,  MX. 

Canadense,  L.     Bush  Trefoil. 

ciliare,  Nutt.     B— e. 

cuspidatum  ?    W.     B. 

humifusum,  Muhl, 

nudiflorum,  L. 

obtusum,  W.  A.  and  N.  B. 

paniculatum,  W. 

rotundifolium,  MX. 

viridiflorum,  L. 

Lathyrus  L. 

palustris,  L.  B. 
Lespedeza  MX. 

angustifolia,  Ell.     Plymouth.  T.  A.  Greene. 

capitata,  MX. 

polystachia,  MX. 

procumbens,  MX. 

prostrata,  Muhl.  B. 

reticulata,  Nutt. 

sessiliflora,  MX. 

violacea,  Pers. 
Lupinus  L. 

perennis,  L.      Wild  Lupine. 
Medicago  L. 

lupulina,  L.     B.  and  Cummington.     Dr.  Porter. 
Phaseolus  L. 

trilobus,  MX.  B.     Bean  Vine. 
Pisum   L. 

maritimum,  L,     Sea  Pea.     B.     Lathyrus  maritimus,    Big. 

L.  pissiformis,  L.  Hooker. 
Robinia  L. 

pseudacacia,  L.     Locust  Tree. 


Flowering  Plants.  609 


Tephrosia   Ph. 

Virginica^L.     GoaVs  Rue.     Galena  Frrginiarta,  L. 

Trifolium  L. 

agrariurn,  L.     Cumtnington. 

arvense,  L.     Field  Clover. 

officinale,  L.     Melilot. 

pratense^JL.'^jRerf  Clover. 

procumbens.  L, 

repens,  L.     White  Clover. 
Vicia  L. 

cracca,  L.     Vetch. 

pusilla,  Willd.  B.  Ervum  tetraspermum,  L. 

sativa,  W.     Tare. 

URTICEAE. 

Boehmeria  W. 

cylindrica,  W.     False  Nettle. 
Humulus  L. 

lupulus,  L.     Hop. 
Parietaria   L. 

Pennsylvanica,  L.      Sugar  Loaf,  Deerfield. 
Urtica  L. 

Canadensis,  L.     Yellow  Nettle.  A. 

dioica,  L.     Common  Nettle. 

procera,  Muhl.     B — e. 

pumila,  L.     Slingless  Nettie. 

urens,  L.     Dwarf  Stinger. 

ULMACEAE. 

Celtis  L. 

occidentalis,  L.    Nettle  Tree.  Deerfield  and  Waltham. 
Ulmus    L. 

Americana,  L.     Elm. 

fulva,  MX.     Slippery  Elm. 

ARTOCARPEAE. 

Moms  L. 

§  alba,  L.      White  Mulberry. 

rubra,  L.     Red  Mulberry.     Deerfield  ? 

CUPULIFERAE. 

Castanea  To  urn. 

Americana,  MX.     Chesnut. 
Corylus  L. 

Americana,  Walt.  Hazel  Nut. 

rostrata,  Ait.     Beaked  Hasel  Nut. 
Fagus  L. 

ferruginea,  Ait.     Beech  Tree. 
Gtuereus  L. 

alba,  W.     White  Oak. 

bicolor,  W. 

ambigua  ?  MX.  et  fil. 

Banisteri,  MX.     Shrub  Oak. 


610  Plants  in  Massachusetts. 

Gluercus. 

coccinea,  Wang.     Scarlet  Oak. 

montana,  W.     Chesnut  Oak. 

palustris,  W.     Pin  Oak.     A. 

prinos-chinchapin,  MX.  A.     Chinquapin,  2  to  6  feet  high. 

prinos-discolor,  MX.     Sivamp   White  Oak. 

rubra,  L.     Red  Oak. 

tinctoria,  MX.     Black  Oak. 

BETULINEAE. 

Alnus  W. 

glutinosa,  L.  A. 

serrulata,  Willd.      Alder. 
Betula  L. 

excelsa,  Ait.      Yellow  Birch. 

glandulosa,  MX.  B — e.     Shrub  Birch. 

lerita,  W.    Black  Birch. 

papyracea,  W.     Canoe  Birch.  • 

populifolia,  Ait.      White  Birch. 

rubra,  MX.  fil.     Red  Birch.     B— e. 
Carpinus  L. 

Americana,  W.   Horn  Beam. 
Ostrya  MX. 

Virginica,  W.     Iron  Wood.  Hop  Hornbeam. 

SALICINEAE. 

Populus  L. 

balsamifera,  Wang.     Balsam  Poplar. 

candicans,  Ait.     Balm  of  Gilcad. 

%  dilatata,  L.  .^Lombardy  Poplar. 

grandidentata,  MX.     Poplar. 

tremuloides,  MX.      White  Poplar. 
Salix  L.      Willow. 

§  Babylonica,  L. 

conifera,  W. 

cordata,  W. 

discolor,  Willd.  B.     Bog  Willow. 

eriocephala,  MX.     Swamp  Willow.  B. 

falcata,  Ph. 

grisea,  W. 

lucida,  Muhl. 

Muhlenbergiana,  W. 

myricoides,  W. 

nigra,  W. 

pedicellaris,  Beauv. 

prinoides  Ph.     B — e. 

rigida,  W. 

vitellina  L .  Yellow  Willow. 

viminalis,  L.  Osier  Basket   Willow.     B. 

PLATANEAE. 

Platanus     L. 

occidentalis,     L.   Sycamore.   Button-Wood. 

MYRICEAE. 

Comptotiia     Gaert. 

asplenifolia,  Ait.  Sweet  Fern. 


Flowering  Plants. 


Myrica  L. 

cerifera,  L.  Bay  Berry. 
Gale,  L.   Sweet  Gale. 

JUGLANDEAE. 

Carya  Nutt. 

alba,  W.  Common  Hickory. 

amara,  MX.  Bitter  Nut.  Deerfield&Sheffield 

porcina,  MX.     Pig  Nut. 

squamosa,  MX.  Shag  Walnut. 
Juglans  L. 

cinerea  L.     Butternut. 

§  nigra,  L.     Black  Walnut. 

EUPHORBIACEAE. 

Acalypha  L. 

virginica,  L.     Three  Seeded  Mercury. 
Euphorbia  L. 

maculata,  L.     Spotted  Spurge.  './•;'." 

hypericifoHa,  W. 

polygonifolia,  L.  B. 

CELASTR1NEAE. 

Celastrus  L. 

scandens.  L.  False  Bitter  Sweet. 

RHAMNEAE. 

Ceanothus  L. 

Americanus,  L.  New  Jersey  Tea. 
Rhamnus  L. 

alnifolius,  1'Herit.  Dioarf  Alder.  Deerfield. 
§  catharticus,     L.  Buckthorn. 

STAPHYLEACEAE. 

Staphylea  L. 

trifolia,  L.      Bladder   Nut.    Mt.    Holyoke, 
[Deerfield  and  Weston. 

ACERINEAE. 

Acer  L. 

dasycarpum,  Ehrh.  Silver  Maple. 
Pennsylvanicum   W.  Striped  Maple.  Moose- 

[Wood. 

rubrum,  L.  Red  Maple. 
saccharinum",  L.  Sugar  Maple. 
spicatum,  Lmk.     Mountain  Maple  Bush. 

VITES. 

Ampelopsis  MX. 

quinquefolia,  MX.   False  Grape.  FiveFinger. 
Vitis  L. 

aestivalis,  MX.     Svmmer  Grape. 

cordifolia,  MX.  Frost  Grape. 

labrusca,  L.  Plum  Grape.     Fox  Grape. 


612  Plants  in  Massachusetts. 

ANACARDIACEAE. 

Rhus  L. 

aromaticum,  Ait.     Fetid  Sumach.     B — e. 
copallinum,  L.     Sumach. 
glabrum,  L.     Sumach. 
toxicodendron^  L.     Poison  Ivy. 
typhynum,  L.     Sumach. 
venenata,  De  Cand.   vernix  L.     Poison  Sw_ 
[mach.     Dog  Wood. 

XANTHOXYLEAE. 

Xanthoxylum  L. 

fraxineum,  W.     Prickly  Ash. 

GERANIACEAE. 

Geranium  L. 

dissectum,  Willd.    B. 

maculatum,  L.     Crow-Foot  Geranium. 

robertianum,    L.    Herb  Robert. 

OXAL1DEAE. 

Oxalis  L. 

acetosella,  L.    Wood  Sorrel. 
stricta,  Jacq.     Yellow  Wood  Sorrel. 
violacea,  L. 

BALSAMINEJE- 

Impatiens  L. 

fulva  Nutt. "  biflora,  Walt.    Jewel  Weed. 
pallida,Nutt.  noli-tangere,  Ph.   Touch-me.not. 

POLYGALEAE. 

Polygala  L. 

cruciata,  L.  B. 

paucifolia,  W.   Flowering  Wintergreen. 

polygama,  Walt,     rubella  Muhl. 

sanguinea,    L. 

verticillata,  L.     Dwarf  Snake  Root. 

VIOLACEAE. 

Viola  L. 

acuta,  Big.     B  and  A. 
blanda,    W.     Smooth  Violet. 
Canadensis,  L.      Woods  Violet. 
cucallata,  Ait.     Common  Violet. 
Muhlenbergii,  Tor.  debilis,  Ph.     Spear  Violet. 
lanceolata,  Ait. 

obliqua  ?     Schwein.     Weak  Stem  Violet. 
striata,  Ait.  ochroleuca^  Schwein.     Amhersl. 
,       ovata,  Nutt. 

palmata,  L.     Hand  Violet. 
pedata,  L.     Bird  foot  Violet. 
pubescens,  Ait.      Yellow  Violet- 
rostrata,  Muhl.     Beaked  Violet. 


Flowering  Plants.  613 

Viola. 

rotundifolia,  MX.  Ground  Violet. 
sagittata,  Ait.     Arrow  Violet. 
§  tricolor,  L.     Garden  Violet. 
villosa,  Nutt. 

CISTINEAE. 

Helianthemum  Tourn.     Cistus  L. 

eanadense,  L.     Rock  Rose.  &•'& 

ramuliflorum,  MX.  N.  B. 
Hudsonia  L. 

ericoides,  L.     False  Heath.  Cape  Cod  and 

Nantucket. 

tomentosa,  Nutt.  B.   Poverty  Grass.     Cape 
Cod  and  Nantucket. 
Lechea  L. 

major,  L.    Pin  Weed. 

minor,  L. 

SARRACENIEAE. 

Sarracenia  L.. 

purpurea,  L.    Sidesaddle  Flower. 

DROSERACEAE. 

Drosera  L. 

longifolia,  L. 

rotundifolia,  L.     Sun  Dew. 

tenuifolia,  Muhl.  B. 

LINEAE. 

Linum  L. 

Virginianum,  L.     Wild  Flax. 

CARYOPHYLLEAE. 

Agrostemma  L. 

githago,  L.     Cockle. 
Arenaria  L. 

lateriflora,  W.     Sand  Wort.  Springfield. 

peploides,  L.  B. 

rubra,  L.  B.  &  A. 

§  serpyllifolia,  L. 
Cerastium  L. 

§  arvense,  L. 

hirsutum,  Muhl  A  ? 

oblongifolium,  Torrey. 

§  semidecandrum,  L. 

tenuifolium,  Ph. 

§  viscosum,  L. 

vulgatum,  L.     Chickweed. 

78 


614  Plants  in  Massachusetts. 

Cucubalus  L. 

behen,  L. 

stellatus  L.  B.  Star  Campion. 

Dianthus  L. 

armeria,  S.  Pink.  B.  and  Banks  of  Ct.  River 
near  Mt  Toin. 
Mollugo  L. 

verticillata,  L.     Carpet  Weed. 
Saponaria  L. 

§  omcinalis,  L.  Bouncing  Bet.     Soap  Wort. 
Silene  L. 

antirrhina,  L.  Sleepy  catch  Fly.  Snap    Dra- 
gon. 

Pennsylvania,  MX.     Pink  Catch  Fly. 
Sagina  L. 

procumbens,  L.     Pearl  Wort. 
Spergula  L. 

arvensis,  L.     Spurry. 
Stellaria  L. 

lanceolata,  Torrey. 

longifolia,  Muhl.    Longleaf  Starwort. 

media,  Smith.  Alsine  media,  L.  Chickweed. 

PORTTJLACEAE. 

Clay  ton  ia  L. 

virginica,  L.    Spring  Beauty. 
Portulacca  L. 

oleracea,  L.     Purslane. 

CRASSULACEAE. 

Penthornm  L. 

sedoides,   L.  Virginian  Orpine. 

ILLCEBREAE. 

Glueria  L. 

Canadensis,  L.  Fork  Chickweed. 

AMARANTHACEAE. 

Amaranthus  L. 

§  blitum,Willd.  B. 

hybridus,  Willd. 

§  oleraceus,  L  ?  Pot  Amaranth. 

pumilus,  Nutt.     Nashawn  Island. 

SCLERANTHEAE. 

Scleranthus  L. 

annuus,  L.  Gravel  Chickweed. 

CHENOPODEAE. 

Acnida   L. 

cannabina,  L.         Water  Hemp   B. 
Atriplex  L. 

arenaria,  Nutt.  N.  B. 

patula,  L.  B. 


Flowering  Plants.  6 1 5 


Blitum  L. 

capitatum.  L.     Strawberry  blite. 
Chenopodium  L. 

§  album,  L.    Pigweed.  Hogiveed. 

§botrys,  L.    Oak  of  Jerusalem. 

§hybfidum,  L.  Tall  Goosefoot. 

rubrum,  L.  Rusty  Pigweed  Red  Goosefoot. 
Salicornia  L. 

herbacea,  L.    Samphire.  Glass  Wort.  B. 

mucronata,  Big.  B. 

ambigua,     N.  B. 
Salsola  L. 

Caroliniana,  MX.    B. 

kali,  L.  B.    Canadensis. 

salsa,  MX.  B 

PHYTOLACCEA. 

Phytolacca  L. 

decanda,  L.     Poke  weed. 

POLYGONEAE. 

Polygonum  L. 

arifolium,  L.     Knotweed. 
articulatum,  L. 
aviculare,,L.    JointJVeed. 
cilinode,  MX. 
coccineum,  W.  B. 
convolvulus,  L.  Bind  Knot  weed. 
§  fagopyrum,  L. 
lapathifolium ,  L.  A. 
mite,  Pers.     Tasteless  Knotweed. 
$  orientale,  L.    Princes  Feathers. 
persicaria,L.  Heartease. 
Pennsylvanicum,  N.B. 
punctatum,  Ell.  Biting  Knotweed. 
sagittatum,  L.     Prickly  Knotweed. 
scandens,  L.        Climbing  Buck  wheat. 
tenue,  MX.      Slender  Knot  Grass. 
Virgimanum,  L. 
Rum  ex  L. 

acetosella,  L.    Field  Sorrel. 

acutus?  L. 

Brittanica,  L.  B. 

crispus,  L.     Dock. 

obtusifolius,  L.  Broad  Leaved  Dock. 

pallidus,  Big.  B. 

PODOSTOMEAE. 

Podostemum  L. 

ceratophyllum,  MX.     Thread  Fool.  A  . 


616  Plants  in  Massachusetts. 

CALLITRICHINEAE. 

Callitriche  L. 

linearis,  Ph.     A.  &  N.  B. 
verna,  Muhl. 

CERATOPHYLLEAE. 

Ceratophyllum  L. 

demersum,  L.    Nantucket. 

II     Monopetalous  Plants. 

ILICINEAE. 

Ilex  L. 

Canadensis,  MX.    Mountain  Holly    B. 

opaca,  Ait.  Evergreen  Holly. 
Prinos  L. 

ambiguus,  MX.  B. 

glaber,  L.  B. 

verticillatus,  L.  Winter  Berry.  Black  Alder 

ER1CEAE. 

Andromeda  L. 

calyculata,  L  Leather  Leaf. 

ligustrina,  Muhl.  White  Bush. 

panic ulata,  MX.    B. 

polifolia,   L.    A. 

racemosa,  L.  B. 
Arbutus  L. 

uva  ursi,  L.      Bear  Berry. 
Azalea  L. 

nudiflora,  L.  Honey  Suckle. 

viscosa,  S.     White  Honey  Suckle. 

Clethra  L. 

alnifolia,  L.  Spiked  Alder.  B  and  Worcester. 
Epigaea  L. 

repens,  L.     Trailing  Arbutus. 
Gaultheria  L.    ' 

procumbens,  L.         Partridge  Berry. 
Kalmia  L. 

angustifolia,  L.  Sheep  Laurel. 

glauca,  Ait.         Swamp    Laurel. 

latifolia,  L.     Laurel. 
Lasicopa  Torrey  M.  S. 

hispidula,  For.  Gaultheria  hispidula,  Muhl. 
Ledum  L. 

latifolium,  Ait.     Labrador  Tea.    Amherst. 
Rhododendron  L. 

'maximum,  L.     American  Rose  Bay.     Medfield  &  Dedhaui. 
Rhodora  L. 

Canadensis,  L.     False  Honeysuckle.     A.  and  B. 

VACCINEAE. 

Oxycoccus  Pers. 

macrocarpus,  Ph.     Cranberry. 
vjilgaria  ?  Pers.     Cranberry. 


Flowering  Plants.  617 

Vaccinium  L. 

corymbosum,  L.     Giant  or  Swamp  Whortleberry, 

frondosum,  L.     Blue  Whortleberry. 

hirtellum,  Ait.  B. 

Pennsylvanicum,  Lam.     Black-blue  Whortleberry. 

resinosum,  Ait.     Black  Whortleberry. 

stamineum,  L.     Squaw  or  Green  Whortleberry.  Deer  Berry. 

tenellum,  Ait.     B. 

virgatum,  Muhl.    B. 

vitis-idea,  L.     Lynn. 

PYROLACEAE. 

Monotropa  L. 

lanuginosa,  MX.     Pine  Sap.   Hypopithys  lanuginosa,  Nutt. 

uniflora,  L.     Bird's  Nest.      Tobacco  Pipe. 
Pyrola  L. 

asarifolia,  MX.     Winter  Green. 

elliptica,  Nutt. 

maculata,  L.     Spotted  Winter  Green.      Chimaphila,  Ph. 

rotundifolia,  L.     Shin-leaf  Wintergreen. 

secunda,  L.     One-sided  Wintergreen. 

umbellata,  L.     Princess  Pine.     Wintergreen.    Piprissawa. 

uniflora,  L.     Lynn,  Mr.  Oakes. 

CAMPANULACEAE. 

Campanula  L. 

aparinoides,  Ph.     Prickly  Bell  Flower. 
perfoliata,  L.   Clasping  Bell  Flower. 
rotundifolia,  L.  Hair  Bell.  A. 

LOBELIACEAE. 

Lobelia  L. 

cardinalis,  L.  Cardinal  Flower. 

dortmanna,  L.  A.  and  B. 

inflata,  L.   Wild  Tobacco. 

kalmii,  L.  A.'and  B. 

Nuttallii?  R.  and  S,  Ludlow  and  Springfield. 

pallida,  Muhl. 

syphilitica,  L.  B — e. 

CUCURBITACEAE. 

Momordica  L. 

echinata,  W.  Hadley  and  Deerfield. 
Sicyos  L. 

angulata,  L.   Single  Seed  Cucumber.     A. 

PLANTAGINEAE. 

Plantago  L. 

lanceolata,  L.  Rib  Wort. 
major,  L.  Plantain. 
maritima,  L.  B.     Sea  Plantain. 


618  Plants  in  Massachusetts. 

PLUMB  AGINEAE. 

Statice  L. 

limonium,  L.  Marsh  Rosemary.  B. 
DIPSACEAE. 

Dipsacus  L. 

§  sylvestris,  L.  Wild  Teasel.     Sheffield. 

COMPOSITAE. 

Achillea  L. 

millefoliurn,  L.  Yarrow. 
Ambrosia  L. 

elatior,  W.  Hog  Weed.     Anakim. 

heterophylla,  Muhl.  B. 

trifida,  W.     Wild  Wormwood. 
Anthemis  L. 

colula,  L.  May  Weed. 
Apargia  W. 

autumnalis,;W.     False  Hawkweed.  B. 
Arctium  L. 

lappa,  L.  Burdock. 
Artemesia  L. 

Candadensis,  MX.  Wild  Wormwood.  A.  and  B. 

§  vulgaris,'jL.  Garden  Wormwood.     Naturalized  on  the  hil- 

[ly  parts  of  the  State. 
Aster  L. 

acuminatus,  MX. 

amplexicaulis,  MX.     B. 

ainygdalinus,  MX.     umbellalus,  Ait. 

conyzoides,  W. 

cordifolius,  L. 

coryfolius,  Muhl.     B. 

corymbosus.  Ait. 

cyaneus,  Hoff. 

diversifolius,  MX. 

dumosus,  L. 

ericoides,  N.  B. 

laevis,  sWilld.  B. 

linariifolius,  W. 

macrophyllus,  Ait. 

miser,  L.     a  divergens  ;  6.   difl'usus. 

multiflorus/W. 
mutabilis,  W.  B. 

Novi-Anglise,  L. 

Novae-Belgii,  L. 

paniculatus,  Ait.     B — e. 

phlogifolius,  W.     B — e. 

prenanthoides,  W.     B — e. 

puniceus,  L. 

rigidus,  W.    A. 

salicifolius,  W. 

solidaginoides,  W. 

sparsiflorus,  MX.     N.  B. 

spectabilis.  Ait.     N.  B. 

tradescanti,  W. 

subulatus,  MX.     Mashfield  and  B. 

umbellatus,  Ait.  B. 


Flowering  Plants.  619 


Bidens  L. 

cernua,  L.     N.  B. 

chrysanthemoides,  W.    Daisy  Beggar  Ticks. 
connata,  W.  A. 
frondosa,  L.     Burr  Marygold. 
tripartita,  L.     B. 
Carduus  L.      Cnicus  W. 
altissimus,  W. 

arvensis,  Pers.     Canada  Thistle. 
discolor,  Muhl.     Common  Thistle. 
lanceolatus,  W.     Common  thistle. 
glutinosus,  Big.     B. 
horridulus,  Ph.     B. 
pumilus,  Nutt.     B. 
Centaurea  L. 

§  nigra,  L.     B.    Hardwick  and  Bristol,  R.  I. 
Chrysanthemum  L. 

leucanthemum,  L.     Oxeytd  Daisy. 
Cichorium  L. 

intibus,  L.    Succory. 
Conyza  L. 

camphorata,  Muhl.     Marsh  Flea  Bane. 
Coreopsis     L. 

trichosperma,  MX.     B. 
rosea,  Nutt.     Plymouth.     T.  A.  Greene. 
Erigeron  L. 

bellidifolium,  W. 
Canadense,  L. 
heterophyllum,  Muhl. 
integrifolium,  Big.     B. 
Philadelphicum,  L. 
purpureum,  Ait. 
strigosum,  Muhl. 
Eupatorium    L. 

ageratoides,  W. 
aromaticum,  W.  B. 
hyssopifolium,  L.     N.  B. 
maculatum,  L.     B — e. 
ovatum,  Big.  B. 

perfoliatum,  L.     Thorough  Wort. 
pubescens,  Willd.     B. 
purpureum,  L.     Joe  Pye. 
sessilifolium,     L. 
teucrifolium,  L. 

verticillatum,  W.     Joe  Pye  Weed. 
Gnaphalium  L. 

decurrens,  Ives. 
Germanicum,  Sm.     N.  B. 
margaritaceum,  L.     Life  Everlasting. 
plantagineum,  L.  Do. 

polycephalum,  MX.     Sweet-Scented  do. 
purpureum,  W.     A. 
tiliginosum,  L. 
Helianthus   L. 
altisimus,  L. 
decapetalus,  L.    A.  and  N.  B. 


Plants  in  Massachusetts. 

Hellianthus  L. 

divaricatus,  L.     B. 

truncatus,  Schw. 

$  tuberosus,  L.     Artichoke. 
Helenium  L. 

autumnale,  L.     B  —  e. 
Hieracium  L. 

Grronoyii,  L.  A. 

Kalmii,  L. 

marianum,  W. 

paniculatum,  L. 

veuosum,  L.     Hawkweed. 
Inula  L. 

helenium,  L.     Elecampane. 
Iva  L     ata'  Ph'     N'  B'  and  Nantucket. 

Kri  iaUtLC6nS'  L*    *****  Water  Shrub'    B~"e< 

amplexicaulis,  Nutt.  A.    Hyoseru  amplexicaulit, 
LactuIaT"'  W>     ^  "*»• 

elongata,  W.     WW  Lettuce. 

mtegrifolia,  Big.    B.  and  A. 

sanguinea,  Big.     B. 
Leontodon  L. 


alba,  L.     White'  Lettuce. 

altissima,  L. 

cordata,  W. 

virgata,  MX. 
Rudbeckia  L. 

laciniata,  L.     Cone  F/OWCr. 
Senecio  L. 

aureus,  W.     Rag  Wort. 
balsamitae,  W.     Balsam  Groundsel. 
hieracifolms,  L.     Fire  Weed 
obovatus,  W. 
vulgaris,  L.     Groundsel. 
Sohdag-o  L.    Golden  Rod. 
altissima,  W. 
arguta,  W. 
aspera?  Ait. 
bicolor,  L. 
caesia,  W. 

Canadensis,  L.     B—  e 
ciJiaris?   W. 
gigantea,  Ait. 
lanceolata,  Ait. 


Flowering  Plants-  621 


Solidago  L-     Golden  Rod. 

latifolia,  Muhl. 

livida,  W. 

nemoralis,  Ait. 

odora,  Ait.     Sweet  scented  golden  rod. 

rigida,  Ait.     South  Hadley  Canal. 

serotina,  W. 

speciosa,  Nutt.   A. 

squarrosa,  Nutt.    Mt.  Holyoke. 

stricta,  W. 

tenuifolia,  Ph.  Nantucket,   T.  A.  Greene. 

ulmifola,  W. 
Sonchus  L. 

acuminatus,  W. 

leucophaeus,  W.     Sow  Thistle. 

oleraceus,  L. 

spinulosus,  Big.  6. 
Tussilago  L. 

farfara,  W.     CoWs  Foot. 

palmata,  Ait.      Sunderland. 
Tanecetum  L. 

§  vulgare,  L.     Tansey. 
Vernonia  L. 

noveboracensis,  L.     Flat  Top. 
Xanthium.  L. 

strumarium,  L.     Clott  Burr. 

STELLATAK. 

Galium    L. 

aparine,  L. 

asprellum,  MX.     Rough  Bed  Straw. 

boreale,  Ph.     Septentrionale,  R.  and  S. 

circaezans,  MX.     Liquorice. 

lanceolatum,  Torrey.     Toneyi^  Big, 

obtusum,  Big.  B. 

pilosum,  Ait. 

tinctorium,  L.     Dyers  Cleavers. 

trifidum,  L.     Bed  Straw.    Small  Cleavers. 

triflorum,  MX. 

verum,  L.  B: 

CINCHONEJE. 
Cephalanthus  L. 

occidentals,  L.     Button  Bush. 
Mitchella  L. 

repens,  L.     Checker  Berry.    Eye  Bright. 

CAPRIFOLIACEAE. 

Caprifolium  Goldie. 

pubescens,  Goldie.  Lonicera  hirsuta,  Eaton, 
Cornus  L. 

alba,  L.  B. 

alternifolia,  1'Her.  B. 

Canadensis,  L.     Dog  Wood. 

circinata,  PHer. 

florida,  L. 

paniculata,  1'Her. 

sericea,  1'Her. 
Dietvilla.     Tourn. 

'imnilis,  Pers.     Bush  Honeysuckle. 
Linnasa.     Gron. 


622  Plants  in  Massachusetts. 

Louie  era  L. 

parviflora,  Lmk. 
gambucus  L. 

Canadensis,  L.     Elder, 

pubens,  MX.     Red  Berried  Elder. 
Triosteum  L. 

perfoliatum,  L.  Fever  Root.  Deer.  &  Cam. 
Viburnum  L, 

acerifolium,  L.     Maple  Guelder  Rose. 

dentatum,  L.  Arrow  Wood. 

lantanoides,  MX.  Hobble  Bush.    Tangle  legs. 

lentago,  L.     Sheep  Berry. 

nudum,   L. 

||  oxycoccus,  Ph.     High  Cranberry. 

pyrifolium,   Lam.     Williamstown. 
Xylosteum.     Tourn- 

||  ciliatum,  Ph.     Fly  Honey  Suckle. 

||  villosum,  MX.  Deerfield  &  Williamstown. 

ASCLEPIADEAE. 

Asclepias  L.     Milk  Weed, 
incarnata,  L. 
||  obtusifolia,  MX. 
phytolaccoides,  Lyon. 
quadrifolia,  Jacquin. 
purpurascens,  L.  B. 
syriaca,  L.  Common  Milk  Weed. 
tuberosa,  L.  Pleurisy  Root .  Butterfly  Weed. 
variegata,  L. 
verticillata,  L. 

viridiflora,  Ph.     B.  and  Leicester. 
APOCYNEAE. 

Apocynum  L. 

androsaemifolium,  L.     Dog  Bane. 
cannabinum,  MX.     Pubescens,  Brown, 
hypericifolium,  Ait.     John's  Dog  Bane. 
GENTIANEAE. 

Gentiana  L. 

crinita,  L. 

I)  quinquefolia,  L.  Charle^mont  &  Hoosac  Mt. 

i  pneumonanthe,  L.  B. 

saponaria,  L.     Soap  Gentian. 
Houstonia  L. 

coerulea,  L.    Venus  Pride. 

longifolia,  Willd  B. 
Menyanthes  L. 

trifoliata.  L.   Buck  Bean.  B.  &  A. 
Sabbatia  Adanson. 

chloroides,  Ph.  B.  * 

stellaris,  Ph.     N.  B. 
"Villarsia   Gmelin. 

lacunosa,  Vent.     B.    Spur  Stem.  Floating  Heart. 

CONVOLOULACEAE. 

Gonvolvolus  L. 
arvensis,  L.  B. 

'   « 


Flowering  Plants.  623 

Convolvolus  L. 

sepium,  L.  Field  Bind  Weed. 

stans,  MX.  Dwarf  Morning  Glory. 
Cuscuta  L. 

Americana,  L.         Dodder. 

OLEACEAE. 

Fraxinus  L. 

Americana,  W.    White  Ash. 
juglandifolia,  W.     Swamp  Ash.     A. 
sambucifolia,  W.     Black  Ash.     A. 
L  igustrum  L. 

yulgure,  L.        Privet  or  Prim.     A.  &  B. 

PRIMULACEAE. 

Anagallis  L. 

arvensis,  L.     Scarlet  Pimpernel. 
Hottonia  L. 

inflata,  L.  B.  &  N.  B. 
Glaux  L. 

maritima,  L.  Barnstable  &  Yarmouth,  Dr.  D-  K.  Underwood. 
Lysimachia  L. 

capitata,  Ph.     A.  &  B. 

ciliata,  MX. 

hybrida,  MX.  B.  &  N.  B. 

quadrifolia,  L. 

racemosa,  Lmk.     Loose  Strife. 

Samolus  L. 

valerjindi,  L.  Brook  Weed.  B. 
Trientalis  L. 

Americana,  Ph.     Chick  Winter  green. 

LENTIBULARIAE. 

Utricularia  L. 

cornuta,  MX.  Leafless  Bladder  Wort.  A.  &  B. 

gibba,  Gron.  B — e. 

inflata,  Walt.  B. 

purpurea  Walt.  B. 

resupinata,  Green.  M.  S.  Tewksbury.' 

striata,  LeConte.     A. 

vulg-aris,  L.  Bladder  Wort. 

ORBANCHEAE. 

Epiphagus  Nutt. 

Americanus,  Nutt.   Cancer  Root. 
Orobanche  L. 

Americana,  L.     Mount  Holyoke. 

uniflora  L.     Cancer  Root. 

SCROPHULARINEAE. 

Antirrhinum  L. 

Canadense,  W.     Flax  Snap  Dragon . 
elatine,  L.  Haldley.     Dr.  George  White. 
§  linaria,  L.    Snap  Dragon. 


624  Plants  in  Massachusetts. 

Chelone  L. 

glabra,  L.     Snake  Head. 
Gerardia  L. 

flava,  L. 

glauca,  Eddy.    Fox  Glove. 

maritima,  Nutt.  B. 

pedicularia,  L. 

purpurea,  L. 

tenuifolia,  L.     B. 
Gratiola  L. 

aurea,  Muhl.       Hedge  Hyssop. 

Virg-inica,  L     Neglecta,  Torrey.     A 

Leptandra  Nutt. 

Virg-inica,  Nutt.     Culvers  Physic. 

Limosella  L. 

subulata,  Ives.     Mudwort.  Nantucket. 
Lindernia  L. 

attenuata,  Muhl.     False  Hedge  Hyssop. 

dilatata,  Muhl.     B.  &  A. 
Mimulus  L. 

alatus,  L.  A.. 

ring-ens,  L.     Monkey  Mower. 
Penstemon  L. 

pubescens,  W.  B — e. 
Scrophularia  L. 

Marilandica,  L.     Fig  Wort. 
Veronica  L. 

ag-restis,  L. 

anag-allis,  L.     Brook  Pimpernel. 

arvensis,  L.    Wall  Speedwell. 

becca  bung-a,  L. 

officinalis,  L.     Speedweell 

pereg-rina,  L.  N.  B. 

scutellata,  L. 

serpyllifolia,  L. 

RHINANTHACEA.E. 

Bartsia  L. 

coccinea,  L.     Painted  Cup. 
Melampyrum  L. 

Americanum,  MX.     Cow  wheat. 

Pedicularis  L. 

Canadensis,  L.     Louse  Wort. 
pallida,  Ph.  A. 

Rhinanthus  L. 

crista  g-alli,  L.   Yellow  Rattle.    Plymouth  Big-clow, 
SOLANEAE. 

Datura  L. 

stramonium,  L.     Thorn  Apple. 
Hyoscyamus  L. 

fnig-er,  L.    Hen  Bane. 
Nicandra  Adams. 

physaloides,  Pers.     N.  B. 
Physalis  L. 

obscura,  MX.    Hen  Bane.   A. 

Pennsylvania?  L.   A. 


Flowering  Plants.  625 


Solanum  L. 

§  dulcamara,  L.     Bitter  Sweet. 
nigrum,  L.     Deadly  Nightshade. 
Verbascum  L. 

blattaria,  L.     Sleek  Mullein.     B.  and  A. 
thapsus,  L.     Mullein. 

VERBENACEJE. 

Phryma  L. 

leptostachia,  L.     Lop  Seed. 
Verbena  L. 

angustifolia,  MX.     A. 

hastata,  S.      Vervain. 

urticifolia,  L.     Nettle  Leaf  Vervain. 

LABIATE. 

Ballota  L. 

§  nigra,  L.     Black  horehound.     B. 
Clinopodium  L. 

vulg-are,  L.     Field  Thyme.     A. 
Collinsonia  L. 

Canadensis,  L.     Horse  Balm. 

Galeopsis  L. 

§  Ladanum,  L.  B.     Hemp  Nettle. 

§  tetrahit,  L.     Flowering  Nettle. 
Glechoma  L. 

hederacea,  L.     Gill-grow-by-the-ground. 
Hedeoma   Pers. 

puleg-ioides,  Pers.     Pennyroyal. 
Hyssopus  L. 

nepetoides,  W.     Giant  Hyssop. 
Isanthus  MX. 

coeruleus,?Muhl.     False  Pennyroyal. 
Lophanthus  Bentk 

nepetoides,  Benth. 
Lamium  L. 

§  amplexicaule,  L.     Hen  Bit.    Dead  NetUc. 
Leonorus  L. 

cardiaca,  L.     Motherwort. 

Lycopus  L. 

Europaeus,  Ms.     Water  Horehound. 

Virginia  us,  L.     Bugle  Weed. 
Marrubium  L. 

§  vulg-are,  L.      Horehound. 
Mentha  L. 

borealis,  MX.     Horsemint. 
§  piperita,  Sm.     Peppermint. 
viridis,  Walter.     Spearmint. 
Monarda  L. 

clinopodia,  L.     B— e. 

didyma  L.     B — e. 

II  hirsuta,  Ph.     Cumming-ton. 

oblongata,  Ait,     B — e.  and  B. 
Nepeta  L. 

cataria,  L.     Catmint. 
Prunella  L. 

Pennsylvania,  W.     Heal  All. 
Pycnanthemum  MX. 

aristatum,  MX. 


626  Plants  in  Massachusetts. 

Pycnanthemum. 

incanum,  MX.     Mountain  Mint. 
lanceolatum  ?  Ph. 
linifolium,  Ph.      Virginian  Thyme. 
II  verticillatum,  Pers.     B — e. 

Scutellaria  L. 

galericulata,  L.     Scull  Cap. 
laterifolia,  L.     Mad-dog  Scull  Cap. 

Stachys  L. 

aspera,  MX.     Hedge  Nettle. 

sylvatica,  L.  A. 

hyssopifolia,  MX.     N.  B. 
Teucrium  L 

Canadense,  L.     Wild  Germander. 
Trichostema  L. 

dichotoma,  L.     Slue  Curls. 

Thymus  L. 

$  vulgaris,  L.     Thyme.     Longmeadow. 

.        BORAGINEAE. 

Cynoglossum  L. 

§  officinale,  L.     Hound  Tongue. 
Virginicum,  L.     B — e. 

Echium  L. 

vulgare,  L.     Vipers  Bugloss,  B. 
Lithospermum  L. 

arvense,  L.  B.     Common  Gromwell. 

II  officinale,  L.  B— e. 
Lycopsis  L. 

§  arvensis,  L.    A.  and  B.   Wild  Bugloss. 
Myosotis  L. 

§  arvensis,  Sibth,     Forget-me-not. 
palustris,  Ph.  B. 
Virginiana,  L.     Mouse  Ear. 
Onosmodium  MX. 

hispidum,  MX.     Rfonson  and  Nan  tucket.     False  GromwclL 

HYDROPHYLLEAE. 

Hydrophyllum  L. 

Canadense,  L.     Windsor,  Dr.  Porter. 
Virginicum,  L.  A.     Water  Leaf. 

TRIBE  II.     GYMNOSPERMAE. 

CONIFERAE. 
Cupressus  L. 

thuyoides  L.     White  Cedar.     A.  B.  and  especially  N.  B. 
Juniperus  L. 

communis,  L.     Juniper.    Mt.  Tom  and  B. 

Virginiana,  L.    Red  Cedar. 
Pinus  L. 

alba,  Lamb.     Spruce. 

balsamea,  W.     Fir  Tree.     Balsam  Tree. 

Canadensis,  L.     Hemlock   Tree. 

fraseri,  Ph.     Saddle  Mountain.     Dewey. 


Flowering  Plants.  627 

Pinus  L.  - 


Lamb.     Black  Spruce. 
pendula,  Ait.     Hackmatack.    Tamarack. 
resinosa,  Lamb.     Norway  Pine.     A.  and  Worcester  Co. 
rig-ida,  L.     Pitch  Pine. 
strobus  L.     White  Pine. 
Taxus  L. 

Canadensis,  W.     Dwarf  Yew.    A.     Very  common. 


SUB-CLASS  II— ENDOGYNAE  OR     MONOCOTYLED- 
ONOUS  PLANTS. 

TRIBE  I. — PETALOIDEAE. 

ALISMACEAE. 

Alisma  L. 

Plantag-o,  L.     Water  Plantain. 
Sagittaria  L. 

acutifolia,  Ph.     Arrow  Head. 

heterophylla,  Ph. 

obtusa,  W.     N.  B.     Var.  of  S.  Sagittif. 
sagittifoila,  L.    Arrow  Head  a  latifolia.      (5  gracilis. 

HYDROCHARIDEAE. 

Udora  Nutt. 

Canadensis,  Nutt.     Serpicula  verticillata,  Muhl. 
Vallisneria  L. 

spiralis,  L.     Tape  Grass.     Cambridge  and  Connecticut  river. 

XYRIDEAE. 

XyrisL. 

Caroliniana,  Lam.     Yellow-eyed  Grass. 

HYPOXIDEAE. 

Hypoxis  L. 

erecta,  L.     Star  Grass. 

IRIDEAE. 

Iris  L.  ,    A.  , 

versicolor,  L.   'WtW  Iris.     Blue  Flag. 

Virg-inica,  Torrey.     Gracilis,  Big1.  Boston  Iris. 
Sisyrinchium  L. 

anceps,  L.    Blue-eyed  Grass. 

ORCHIDEAE. 

Aplectrum  Nutt. 

II  hyemale,  Nutt.     Putty  Root.      Adam   and  Eve.     Conway. 
Cymbidium  hyemale,  W. 


628  Plants  in  Massachusetts. 

Arethusa  L. 

bulbosa,  L.    B.  and  Belchertown. 
Calopogon  Brown. 

pulchellus,  Br.     Grass  Pink.     Cymbidium  pulchellum,  W. 
Corallorhiza  Brown. 

odontorrhiza,  Nutt.      Coral   Teeth.     Dragon   Claw.    Cymbi- 
dium odont,  W. 
Cypripedium  L. 

humile,  Sw.  Ladies  Slipper. 

pubescens,  Sw.     Yellow   Do. 

spectabile,  Sw.  Do.  Deerfield. 

Goodyera  Brown. 

pubescens,  W.     Neottia  pubescens,  W.     Rattle  Snake  Leaf. 

II  repens,  Wild.     B. 
Habenaria  L. 

blepharig-lottis,  Hooker.    A.  and  B. 

II  bracteata,  R.  Brown.     Satyrium  bracteatum,  Ph. 

II  cristata,  R.  Brown.     Fair  Haven,  T.  A.  Greene. 

ciliaris,  R.  Brown.     A.  and  B. 

y  dilatata,  Ph. 

II  grandiflora,  Big1.     B.  and  A. 

II  herbiola,  R.  Brown.     A.  and  N.  B. 

II  incisa  1  Spreng1. 

fimbriata,  R.  Brown. 

II  macrophylla,  Goldie.     Mt*  Holyoke. 

II  orbiculata,  Ph. 

psycodes,  Sprang1.     B — e  and  A. 
Listera  R.  Brown. 

cordata,  Brown.    Epipactis  ConvallarioideS)  Ph.   Plainfield. 
Malaxis  Sw. 

liliifolia,  Sw.     Tway-blade. 

II  loeselii,  Sw. 

Mycrostylis    Nutt. 

ophioglossoides,  Nutt.     Adder  Mouth. 
Neottia  Sw. 

tortilis,  Sw.     Ladies'  Tresses.    '8  gracilis,  Torrey. 

cernua,  Sw.  Nodding  Ladies'1  Tresses. 
Orchis  L. 

spectabilis,  L.     Orchis. 

tridentata,  W.  B— e.  A.  and  N.  B. 
Pogonia.     Brown. 

ophioglossoides,    Brown.     Snake  Mouth  Jirtthusa. 

||  verticillata,  Nutt.     A. 
Triphora.     Nutt. 

||  pendula,  Nutt.     Deerfield.     Arethusa  pendula  W. 

JUNCEAJE. 

Juncus  L. 

acuminatus,  MX.     A. 
bufonius,  L. 
bulbosus,  L. 
efifusus,  L.     Bulrush. 
militaris,  Big.     Tewksbury. 
marginatus,  Rotk.  N.  B. 
nodosus,  L. 
polycephalus.  MX. 


Flowering  Plants.  629 

Juncus  L. 

||  eetaceus,  Rostk. 

tenuis,  W. 
Luzula  De  Cand. 

campestris,  De  Cand. 

melanocarpa,  Desv. 

pilosa,  W.     A 

MELANTHACEJE. 

Helonias  L. 

dioica,  Ph.  B — e.    Blazing  Star. 
Veratrum  L. 

viride,  Ait.  Indian  Poke.     Whits  Hellebore. 

PONTEDEREJG. 

Pontederia  L. 

||  angustifolia,  Ph.  Leverett.     Cordata  B.  angusti.  Torrey. 

cordata,  L.    Pickerel  weed. 
Schollera  Schreb. 

graminea,  Vahl.     Lepanthus  graminews,  MX, 

ASPHODELE^E. 

Aletris  L. 

farinosa,  L.     False  Jlloe.     A. 
Allium  L. 

Canadense,  L.    Meadow  Garlic. 

tricoccum,  W. 
Asparagus  L. 

§  officinalis,  L. 

SMILACEJS. 

Convallaria  L. 

bifolia,  L. 

multiflora,  L.     Solomon  Seal. 

pubescens,  W.     A. 

racemosa,  L.       Clustered  Solomon  Seal. 

stellata,  L. 

||  trifolia,  L.    Pelham  and  Cummington. 

mnbellnlata,  MX.    Lily  of  the  Valley.      A. 
Gyromia.     Nutt. 

virginica,  Nutt.     Indian  Cucumber.  Jfledeola  Virginica.  L, 
Similax  L. 

herbacea,  L,     B — e. 

peduncularis,  W.     Jacob's  Ladder.         , 

rotundifolia,  L.     Green    Briar. 
Streptopus  MX. 

||  distortus,  MX.     A.  &  B— e. 

roseus,  MX.     Rose  Bell  Wort.     A,  &  B — e. 
Trillium  L. 

U  cernuum,  L.    Nodding  Wake  Robbin. 

erectum,  L.     False  Wake  Robbin. 

II  grandiflorum,  Salisb.     Pelham,  Dr.  Q.  White. 

II  pictum,    Smiling  Wake  Robbin. 
80 


630  Plants  in  Massachusetts. 

Uvularia  L. 

perfoliata,  L.     Bell  Wort. 
sessilifolia,  L. 

DIOSCOREJB. 

Dioscorea  L. 

villosa,£r.  B. 

\ 

LILIACEJE. 

Erythronium  L. 

dens-canis,  MX.     Dog,  Tooth  Violet. 
Li]ium  L. 

Canadense,  L.     Noddiug  Lily. 

Philadelphicum,  L.     Red  Lily. 

RESTIACE2B. 

Eriocaulon  L. 

gnaphalioides,  MX.     B — e. 
pellucidum,  MX.     Pipe  Wort. 

TYPHACEJE. 

Sparganium  L. 

||  Americanum,  Nutt.   N.  B. 

II  angustifolium,  MX  ?     B. 

ramosum  Swartz,    Burr  Reed. 
Typha  L. 

angustifolia,  L.  B. 

latifolia,  Z,,     Cat  Tail. 

AROIDE2E. 

Acorus  L. 

calamus,  L.     Sweet  Flag. 
Arum  L. 

U  dracontium,  W.     Green  Dragon.     Deerfield. 

triphyllum,  L.     Indian  Turnip. 
Calla  L. 

palustris,  L'     Water  Arum. 

Lecontia.  Cooper.      "  Atrue  celadium"    Torrey.     Rens- 
selaria  Beck. 

Virginica,  Coop.     Arum  Virginicum,  L.  Belchertown. 
Orontium,  L. 

aquaticum,  L.     Golden  Club.     Southwick.  Dr.  Porter. 
Pothos  MX. 

foetida,  MX.     Skunk"1!  Cabbage. 

FLUVIALES. 

Najas  L. 

||  Canadensis,  MX.  Cauliniaflexilis,  W.  A. 
Potamogeton  L. 

||  compressum,  W.  A.  and  N.  B. 

fluitans,  L. 

[I  gramineum,  MX.  A.  and  B. 

I)  heterophyllum,  Schreb.  A- 


Flowering  Plaits.  631 

Potamogeton. 

lucens,  MX.  B. 

natans,  L. 

j|  pectination,  Sw.  B — e.  and  N.  B. 

perfoliatum,  L. 

||  setaceum,  Ph.     diversifolium,     Barton.  A.  and  B. 
Ruppia  L. 

maritima,  L.     Sea  Teasel  Grass.  B. 
Zostera  L. 

marina,  L.     Grass  Wrack. 

JUNCAGINEJE. 

Scheuchzeria  L. 

palustris,  L.  Belchertown. 
Triglochin  L. 

maritimum,  L.     Arrow  Grass.  B. 

PISTIACEJE. 

Lemna  L. 

minor,  L.     Duck-meat. 

polyrrhiza,  L.      Water  Flax  Seed.  A. 

trisulca,  L.  A. 

TRIBE    II. GLUMNACEJJ. 

GR  AMINES. 

Agrostis  L. 

canina,  L.  B. 

clandestina,  Muhl.     B. 

lateriflora,  MX.     A.  &  N.  B. 

longifolia,  Torrey.  A. 

polyrnorpha, Hudson  and  A.  Trinnius  alba,L.  White  Top  Gras* 

sobolifera,  Muhl.  A. 

sylvatica,  Torrey.  B — e. 

tenuiflora,  Willd.    A. 

Virginica,  L. 

Aira  L. 

flexuosa,  L.     Hair  Grass. 
Alopecurus  L. 

geniculatus,  Muhl.     Floating  Fox  Tail. 

pratensis,  L.     Meadow  Grass.' 
Andropogon  L. 

furcatum  Muhl.  Forked  Spike. 

macrourum,  Mx.  N.  B. 

nutans,    L.     Beard  Grass.  t  ^ 

purpurascens,  Muhl.     N.  B. 
Virginicum  ?    N.  B. 
Anthoxanthum  L. 

odoratum,  L.     Sweet  Vernal  Grots. 
Aristida  L. 

dichotoma,  MX.     Beard  Grass. 

gracilis,  Ell.     N.  B. 

purpurascens,  Poir.    N.    B. 

racemosa,  Muhl.  A. 

Avena  L. 

mollis  Michx. 


'632  Plants  in  Massachusetts. 

Arrhenatherum  P.  de  B. 

avenaceum,  P.  de  B.     Avena  elatior.  L. 
II  Pennsylvamcum,  Torrey.  B — e. 

Arundo  L. 

Canadensis.  MX.  B.  &  A. 
coarctata,  Torrey.  B.  &  A. 
pragmites,  L.  Pragmites  com  munis,  foinnius. 

Briza  L. 

media,  L.  B. 

Bromus  L. 

purgans,  L.  B. 

pubescens.  Muhl.     Broom  Grass. 

§  secalinus,  L.     Chess  Cheat. 

mollis,  L. 
Cinna  L. 

arundinacea,  L.     Indian  Reed. 
Danthonia  De  Cand. 

spicata,  P.  de  B.     Wild  Oats.  Avena  spicata.  L. 
Dactyiis  L. 

glomerata  L,         Orchard  Grass. 
Digitaria    Walter. 

filiformis.  Ell.        A.  &  N.  B. 

sanguinalis,  Scop.     Finger  grass.     A.     &  B—  e. 
Elusine  Gaertner. 

indica,  Lamb.     Wire  Grass.     A. 

Elymus  L. 

glaucifolius,    Torrey.   Canadensis,  B. 
hystrix,  L. 

villosus,  L.     Wild  Rye.  Lime  Grass. 
Virginicus,  L. 
Festuca  L. 

duriuscula,  L.  N.  B. 
elatior,  L.     Fescue  Grass. 

pratensis,  Huds.  B e. 

nutans.  W. 

tenella,  W.  A.  &  B— e. 

Glyceria  R.  Brown. 

fluitans  R.  Brown.     Festuca  fiuitans.  L.  Water  Fescue. 
Hierochloa  Gmelin. 

borealis,  R.  &  s.  Seneca  Grass.  B. 

Holcus  L. 

lanatus  L.      Velvet  grass.  B. 
Hordeum  L. 

jubatum,  L.  3. 
Koeleria  Pers. 

Pennsylvanicaj  j)e  Cand.  A. 

truncata,  Torrey. 

major. 

Leersia  Swartz. 

oryzoides,  Sw. 
Virginica,  W.  Cut  Grass. 

Lolmm  L. 

perenne,  L.        Darnel  Grass. 
Muhlenbergia  Schreb. 

erecta,  Schreb.     Drop-seed  Grass. 


Flowering  Plants.  633 

Oryzopsis  MX. 

II  asperifolia,  MX.    Mountain  Rice. 
Panicum  L. 

acuminatum,"Muhl.  A. 
agrostoides,  Mnhl.  A.  &  N.  B. 
capillare,  L. 
clandestinum  L.  A. 
crus-g-alli  L.     Barn-Grass. 
dichotomum.  L. 

depauperatum,  Muhl.     A.  and  B — e. 
discolor,  Muhl.     B. 
g-eniculatum,  Muhl.     A. 
hispidum,  Muhl.     A.  and  N.  B. 
involutum,  Torrey.     A. 
latifolium,  L. 
macrocarpon,  Torry.     A. 
nervosum,  Muhl.     A.  andB. 
nitidum,  Lmk. 
virgatum.  L.     A.  and  B. 
Paspalum   L. 

ciliatifolium,  MX.     N.  B. 

setaceum,  MX.     Paspaloy,  Grass.     A. 

Phalaris  L. 

Americana,  Ell.     Ribbon  Grass. 
Phleum  L. 

pratense,  L.      Timothy  Grass. 
Piptatherum  Beauv. 

nigrum,  Torrey,     Oryzopsis   Melanocarpa^  Muhl.      Millium 
racemosum,  Smith.     Clustered  -M.illet- Grass. 
Poa  L. 

annua,  L. 

aquatica.    B.  Americana,  Torrey. 

Canadensis,  Torrey. 

capillaris,  L.     A.  and  B. 

compressa,  L. 

II  dentata,  Torrey.     A.  N.  B.  and  B— e. 

II  elong-ata,  Torrey,     Torreyi,  Spreng. 

eragrostis,  L.    A.  and  B. 

hirsuta,  MX.     A.  and  B. 

maritima,  Huds.     B. 

nemoralis,  L.     A.  and  B — e. 

nervata,  W. 

obtusa,  Muhl.     B. 

palustris,  Muhl.     A. 

pectinacea,  MX.     A. 

pratensis,  L. 

reptans,  MX.     A. 

trivialis,  L.     A.  N.  B.  and  B— e. 

II  uniflora,  Muhl.    N.  B.   Var.  of  capillaris. 
Polypogon    Des. 

glomcratus,  W.  A. 
Psamma  Beauv. 

arenaria,  Beauv.     Arundo  arenaria,  L.  B. 
Setaria  P.  de  Beauv. 

viridis,  P.  de  B.     Panicum  viride,  L. 

glauca,  P.  de  B.     Fox-tail  Grass.     Panicum  glaucuut  L. 

italica,  P.  de  B.     B— e. 

verticillata,  P.  de  B.     Boston. 


634  Plants  in  Massachusetts. 

Spartina  Schreb. 

cynosuroides,  W.  B.     Rough  Grass- 
glabra,  Muhl.     B- 
juncea,  W.     B. 

Stipa  L. 

avenacea,  L.  B. 

II  Candensis,  Lmk.     A.  and  B.       Milium  pungens,   Torrey. 

Oryzopsis  parvifiora,  Nutt. 
Trichochloa  De  Cand. 

II  capillaris,  De  Cand.     Sugar  Loaf,  Deerfield,  Dr.  Cooley. 
Trichodium  MX. 

laxiflorum,  MX.      Tickle  Grass. 

scabrum,  Muhl.     A.  and  B — e. 
Tricuspis  Beauv. 

sesleroides  Torrey.     Poa  quinquefida,  P  h,     A.  and  B — e. 
Trisetum  Pers. 

palustre,  Torrey.     Aira  Pallens,  Muhl. 

purpurascens,  Torrey.     B — e. 

Triticum  L. 

repens,  L.     Wheat  Grass.     Quake  Grass.     B. 
Uniola  L. 

spicata,  L.     Spike  Grass.     B. 
Uralepsis  Nutt. 

aristulata,  Nutt.     N.  B. 
Zizania   L. 

clavulosa,  MX.  Water  Oats.  Wild  Rice.  B.  and  Northampton. 

CYPERACEJE. 

Carex  L.     Sedge    Grass. 
acuta,  L.     A.  andB— e. 
alba,  Haenke,  B — e. 
ampullacea,  Good.     Deerfield. 
anceps,  &chkuhr.     A.  B — e  andlB. 
aquatilis,  Wahl.     B — e. 
aurea,  Nutt.     B — e. 
blanda,  Dewey.     A.  and  B — e. 
bromoides,  Schk.     A.  and  B — e. 
bullata,  Schk.     A.  and  B — e. 
Bux,baumii,  Muhl.    A. 
caespitosa,  L.     A.  and  B — e  and  B. 

cephalophora,  W.      A.  B.  and  B e. 

||  collecta,  Dewey.     Worthington. 
conoidea,  Schk.     A.  and  B — e. 
crinita,  Lamb.     A.  B — e  and  B. 
%      cristata,  Schk.     A.  and  B— e. 
curta,  Good.     B.  A.  and  B — e. 
Davisii,  Dewey.     A.  and  B — e.  * 

Deweyana,  Schw.  A.  and  B — e. 
disperma,  Dewey.  A.  and  B — e. 
festucacea,  Schk.  A.  and  B — e. 
nliforrnis,  Gooden.  A.  and  B — e. 
flava,  L. 

flexuosa,  Schk.     A.  and  B. 
folliculata,  L.    A.  B— e,  and  B. 
(|  formosa,  Dewey.     A.  and  B — e. 
gracillima,  Schw.    A.  and  B— e. 
granularis,  Muhl.    A.  and  B— e. 


Flowering  Plants.  635 

Carex. 

||  Halseyana,  Dewey.     Westfield. 

hirsuta,  W.     A.  and  B — e. 

||  Hitchcockiana,  Dewey.     Williamstown. 

hystericina,  W.     A.  and  B. 

lacustris,  W.     A-  B— e  and  B. 

lagopodioides,  Schk.     A.  and  B— e.  • .-?  t 

laxiflora,  Lam.     A.  and  B — e. 

limosa,  L.     Ashfield. 

||  longirostris,  Torrey.     A.  and  B — e. 

lupulina,  Muhl.     A.  B— e,  and  B. 

marginata,  Muhl.     A.  B— e,  and  B. 

miliacea,  Muhl.     A.  and  B — e. 

Muhlenbergii,  Dewey,    B— e. 

multiflora,  Muhl.     B— e. 

muricata.     B — e. 

||  Novae-An^liae,  Schw.     A.  and  B— e. 

oligocarpa,  Schk.     A.  and  B — e. 

pallescens,  L.     A.  and  B — e. 

paniculata,  Mich.     A.  and  B. 

pauciflora  Schk.     Ashfield. 

pedunculata,  Muhl.     A.  and  B— e. 

pellita,  Muhl.     A. 

plantaginea,  Lam.     A.  B— e,  and  B. 

polytricoides,  Muhl.     A.  and  B— e. 

pseudo-cyperus,  L.     A.  B — e,  and  B. 

pubescens,  Muhl.  A.  and  B— e. 

pyriformis,  Schw.  Muhl.     B — e. 

retroflexa,  Muhl.     A.  and  B — e. 

retrorsa.    B — e  and  Plainfield.  -^   .< 

rosea,  Shk.     A.  and  B — e. 

scabrata,  Schw.     A.  and  B — e. 

scirpoides,  Schk.     A.  and  B — e. 

scoparia,  Schk.     A.  B — e,  and  B. 

Schweintzii,  Dewey.     B — e. 

||  setacea,  Dewey.     B — e. 

|)  siccata,  Dewey.     Westfield. 

sparganoides,  Muhl.     A.  B— e  and  B. 

squarrosa,  L.     Hadley. 

stellulata,  Sehreb.     A.  B— e,  and  B. 

||  sterilis,  W.     A.  and  B— e. 

stipata,  Muhl.    A.  B— e,  and  B. 

straminea,  W.     A.  B— e,  and  N.  B. 

stricta,  Good.     A,  and  B — e. 

sylvatica,  Huds.     A.  and  B — e. 

|  tenera,  Dewey.     A.  and  B — e. 

tentaculata,  Muhl.     A.  B— -e,  and  N.  B. 

teretiuscula,  Good.     A.  and  B — e. 

tetanica,  Schk.     A.  and  B — e. 

||  Torreyana,  Dewey.     A.  and  B — e. 

tricocarpa,  Muhl.     A.  and  B — e. 

trisperma,  Dewey.    A.  and  B — e. 

umbellata,  Schk.     A.  and  B— e. 

varia,  Muhl.     A.  and  B — e. 

vesicaria,  L.     A. 

vestita,  W.  A. 

virescens,  Muhl.     A.  B — e,  and  N.  B. 

xanthophysa,  Wahl.     A.  B— e,  and  N.  B. 


636  ,  Plants  in  Massachusetts. 

Cyperus  L. 

Nuttallii,  Torrey.     A. 

dentatus,  Torrey.     A.  and  B. 

diandrus,  Torrey.     A.  and  B. 

flavescens,  L.     N.  B.  and  B— e. 

mariscoides,  Ell.     Sdrpus  cyperiformis^  Muhl.     A.  and  B. 

poaeformis,  Ph.     A.  and  B — e. 

strigosus,  L.     A.  and  B — e. 

uncinatus.  Ph.    infttxus,  Muhl.  A.  and  B. 
Dulichium  Richard. 

spathaceum,  Pers.     Galingale. 
Eriophorum  L. 

alpinum,  L.     See  Torrey^s  Flora. 

angustifolium,  W.      A.  and  B. 

cespitosum,  Ph,     A.  and  B — e. 

polystachium,  L.     A.  B.  and  B — e . 

Virginicum,  L.     Cotton  Grass.     A.  B.  &  B — e. 
Rhynscopora  Vahl. 

alba,  Vahl.     A.  B.  &  B— e. 

glomerata,  Vahl.  A. 

II  macrostachya,  Torrey.   M.  S.  Belchertown  and  Leverett. 
Scirpus  L.  Rush. 

acicularis,  L. 

acutus,  Muhl.  B.  &  B-^e. 

atrovirens,  Muhl.  A .  &  B — e. 

autumnalis,  Muhl.  A.  &  B. 

||  brunneus,  Muhl.     A. 

capillaris,  Muhl.  A.  &  B. 

capitatus,  L.    A.  B.  &  B— e. 

debilis,  Muhl.  A.  &  B. 

eriophorum,  Mx.  A.  &  B. 

intermedius,  Muhl.  A. 

lacustris,  L.  A. 

||  lineatus,  MX.  Plainfield. 

maritmus,  L.  B. 

palustris,  L.  A.  &  B. 

planifolius,  Muhl.     A.  B.  &  B— e. 

||  subsquarrosus,  Muhl.  A. 

II  subterminalis,  Torrey.    Leverett. 

tenuis,  W.  A.  B.  &  B— e. 

trichodes,  Muhl.     A.  B.  &  B— e. 

triqueter,  MX.  '  A.  &  B — e. 

tuberculatus,  MX.  A. 
Scleria  Gaertner. 

triglomerata,  MX.     Whip  Grass.  Hadley. 
Schoenus  L. 

mariscoides,  Muhl.    Bog  Rush.     Belchertown  &  Leverett. 


CLASS  II.— CELLULARES 

OR 

FLOWERLESS  PLANTS. 

TRIBE    I. FILICOID    PLANTS. 

EQUISETACJE. 

Equisetum  L. 

arvense,  L.     Horse  Tail.  A.  B.  &  B— e. 

hyemale,  L.  Rough  Horsetail.  Scouring  Rush.  A.  B.  &  B — e, 

sylvaticum,  W.  A.  B.  &  B— e. 

palustre,  L.  A. 

II  scirpoides,  MX.  A.  B.  &  B — e- 

uliginosum,  L.  Pipes.     A.  B.  &  B — e. 

FILICES. 

Adiantum  L. 

pedatum,  L.  Maiden  Hair.  Mowhair. 
Aspidium  Swartz.     Brake  Fern. 

acrostichoides,  Swartz.     A.  B.  &  B — e. 

asplenoides,  W.  A.  &  B. 

bulbiferum,  W.  B— e. 

cristatum,  Sw.  A. 

dilatatura,  W.  A.  N.  B.  &  B— e.     intermedium,  L. 

tenue,  W.  A. 

goldianum,  Hooker.     Felix  Mas,     Ph.  A.  fy  B — e. 

lancastriense,  Muhl.   B. 

marginale,  Sw.  Nephrodivm  \narginale,  MX.  H.  B.  &  B — e. 

noveboracense,  W.     A.  B.  &  B — e. 

pilosiuscula,  W.  Dicksonia,  VHerit. 

spinulosum.  W.     B — e. 
Asplenium  L.    Brake  Fern. 

II  angustifolium,  Jacq.     Spleen  Wort.     B — e.  B.  &  A. 

ebenum,  Ait.  B — e  B.  &  A. 

melanocaulon,  Muhl.  B — e.  B.  &  A. 

II  rhizophyllum,  L.   Walking  Leaf.    B — e  B.  &  A. 

I!  ruta-muraria,  L.    B — e  B.  &  A. 

thelypteroides,  W.    acrostichoides,    Sw.  B — e.  B  &  A. 
Botrychium  Swartz. 

fumaroides,  W.  Grape  Fern.     A.  B.  &  B — e. 

simplex,  Hitchcock.  A. 

Virginicum,  W.  A.  B.  &  B — e. 
Hypopeltis  Torrey. 

obtusa,  Torrey.    Aspidium  obtusum,  W.  A.   Woodsia  per  - 

[riniana.   Hook.  &  Grev. 
Lygodium  Sw. 

II  palmatum,  Swartz.  Climbing  Fern.  Amherst  and  Becket. 
81 


638  Plants  in  Massachusetts. 

Onoclea  L. 

sensibilis,  L.  Sensitive  Fern.    A.  B.  &  B— e. 
Ophioglossum  L. 

vulgatum,  L.     Adder  Tongue  Fern.     A. 
Osmunda  L. 

cinnamonea,  W.  B — e.  &  A. 

interrupta,  MX.  B.  B — e.  &  A. 

spectabilis,  MX.  B.B— e.  &  A. 
Polypodium  L. 

II  calcareum,  Lm.     A.  &.  B — e. 

connectile,  W.  B.  A.  &  B — e. 

hexagonopterum,  W.  A.  &  B — e. 

vulgare  L.  Polypod.     B.  A.  &  B — e. 
Pteris  L. 

aquilina,  L.     Common  Brake.     B.  B— e.  &  A. 

atropurpurea,  L.     Rock  Brake.  A. 
Struthiopteris  W. 

HPennsylvanica,  W.  A.  &  B. 
Woodsia  R.  Brown. 

ilvensis,  R.  Br.  A.|&  B- 
Woodwardia  Smith. 

angustifolia,  Sw.  N.  B. 

LYCOPODIACEAE. 

Lycopodium  L.         Ground  Pine. 
II  annotinum,  W.  A. 
apodum,  W.     A. 

clavatum,  W.  Club  Moss.     B.  B— e  &  A. 
Carolinianum,  W.  B. 

complanatum  W.  Ground  Pine.         B.  B — e  &  A. 
dendroideum,  W.  Do.        B.  B — e  &  A. 

II  inundatum,  W.  N.  B. 

lucidulum,  W.  Moon  Fruit  Pine.         B.  &  A. 
obscurum,  L.  B.  "var.  of  dendroideura,"  Torrey. 
nipestre,  W.      B.  B-e.  &  A. 


TRIBE    II.       MUSCOIDEAE. 

No  Catalogues  of  the  remaining  Orders  of  plants  have  been  published  in 
Massachusetts,  except  for  Berkshire  County  and  the  vicinity  of  Amherst  Col- 
lege, or  the  valley  of  the  Connecticut.  B— e,  as  usual  is  added  to  those  species 
that  are  found  in  Berkshire  .•  and  B — e*  to  the  few  that  are  peculiar  to  Berk- 
shire. All,  that  have  not  the  Star  annexed,  occur  in  Connecticut  Valley, 
and  doubtless  this  list  falls  far  short  of  the  actual  number. 


MUSCI. 

Anictangium  Hedw. 

filiforme,  Hedw.     Hedwigiafiliformis  P.  de  Beauv,  B — e. 
Anomodon.     Hooker  and  Taylor. 

viticulostim,  H  <fc  T.     Neckera  viticulosa,  Hedw. 


Flowerless  Plants.  639 


Arrhenopterum.      Hedw. 

heterostichum,  Hedw.    Byrum  arrhenopterum,  Dill. 
Bartramia.  Hedw. 

crispa?  Sw.     B — e. 

fontana,  Hooker. 

gracilis,  Sm,      Oederi,  Schwaegrichen. 

pomiformis,  Hedw. 
Bryum  L. 

androgynum,  Hedw. 


aureum 


argenteum,  L.     B — e. 
caespiticium,  L.     B — e. 
cuspidatum,   Schreb.    B — e. 
nutans,  Schreb.     Webera  nutans,  Hedw.  B — e. 
punctatum,  Schreb. 
roseum,  Schreb.     B — e. 
triquetrum,  Turner.    Meesia  longiseta  Hedw. 
turbinatum,   Sw. 
Buxbaumia  L. 

||  aphylla,  L. 
Catharinea  Ehrharst. 

undulata,  Web.  &  Mohr.     Polytrichum  undulatum,  Hedw. 
Climacium  Web.  &  Mohr. 

Americanum,  Brid.     Hypnum  dendroides,  L.  B— e. 
Dicranum  Hedw. 

cerviculatum,  Hedw. 
glaucum,   Hedw.     B — e. 
heteromallum,  Hedw.  B — e. 
orthocapon,  Hedw.     B — e. 
polycarpum,  Ehrh. 
scoparium,  Hookr.  &  Tay.     B — e. 
strictum,  Brid. 
undulatum,  Ehrh. 
Diphyscium.     Web.  &  Mohr. 

foliosum,Web.  &  MohT.Hymenopogonfieterophylluin,  P.deB. 
Didymodon     Hedw. 

purpureum,  Hooker  &  Tay.  Dicranum  purpureum,  Hedw. 
Diplocomium.    Web.  &  Mohr. 

longisetum,  Web.  &  Mohr.  B — e.  Metsia  longisela. 
Encalypta     Schreb. 

ciliata,  Hedw.     Deerfield. 
Fissidens     Hedw. 

adianthoides,  Hedw. 
taxifolius?  Hedw, 
Fontinalis  L. 

antipyretica,  L*  B — e. 
squamosa,    J.  Porter,  Mass. 
Funaria     Hedw. 

flavicans,  Muhl.     B — e. 
hygrometrica,   Hedw.     B — e. 
Grimmia     Hedw. 

leucophoea,  Hook.  &  Tay. 
ovata  ? 
pilifera,  MX. 
pulviuata,  Smith. 


640  Plants  in  Massachusetts. 

Gymnostomum     Hedw. 

Drummondia,  Hook,  in  Drum.  Muse.  Amer.  bor.  nee.  D.C. 

prorepens,  Hook. 

pyriforme,  Hedw. 
Hypnum     Hedw. 

abietinum,  L. 

acuminatum,  B — e.  * 

confertum,  Dicks. 

Cooleyanum,  Spreng.     B — e. 

cristacastrensis,  L.     B — e. 

cupressiforme,  Hook.    B — e. 

cuspidatum,  L. 

denticulatum,  L.     B — e. 

dimorphum,  Brid. 

filicinum,  L. 

fragile,    Brid. 

hians,  Muhl. 

imponens,  Hedw.     B — e. 

lutescens,  Schreb. 

minutulum,vB — e.  *  *' 

proliferum.  ^ 

riparium,  Hook. 

rutabulum,  B — e.  * 

salebrosum,   B — e.  * 

serpens,  L.     B — e. 

striatum,  Schreb. 

tenax  7    Hedw. 

torreyanum,  Spreng. 

triquetrum,  L.     B — e. 
Leskea    Spreng. 

acuminata,  Hedw.    B — e. 

curvata,   Voit.     Deerfield. 

obscura,     Hedw.  ^ 

Leucodon.     Schwaeg. 

sciuroides.   Schwaeg. 
Neckera.     Hedw. 

minor,  Beauv. 

pennata,   Hedw.     B— e.  -  r 

Othrotrichum     Hedw. 

affine,  Hook.  &  Tay.  •   . 

anomaluni,  Hedw. 

clarellatum.  • 

crispum,  Hook.  &  Greville. 

cupulatum,  Hoffm  ?  ;: 

Drummondi.    Hook.  &  Grev.  ' ;,  ;   . 

Hutchinsiae,  Hook,  and  Grev. 

pumilum,  Swartz. 

speciosum. 

strangulatum,  P.  de  Beauv. 

reticulosum. 
Polytrichum  L. 

aloides,  Hedw.  brachyphyttum.   Pond.     B— e.  « 

formosum,  Hedw. 

juniperinum,  W.     B — e. 

perigoniale,  B — e.  * 


Flowerless  Plants.  641 


Pterogonium.     Swartz.     Pterigynandrum  Hedw. 

apiculatum,  Brid. 

hirtellum,  Hedw. 

intricatum,    B — e.  * 

julaceum,   Hedw. 

subcapillatum,  Hedw. 

trichomitrion,  Swartz,     B — e. 
Sphagnum  L. 

acutifolium,  Hook,  and  Tay. 

latifolium,  B — e.  • 

obtusifolium,  Hook,     cymbifolium)  Swarts. 

squarrosum,  Web.  &  Mohr. 
Tetraphis  Hedw. 

pellucida.  Hedw. 
Timmia  Hedw. 

cucullata,  MX.     B — e. 
Trematodon  Richard. 

longicollis,  Rich.  Deerfield. 
Trichostomum  Hedw. 

pallidum,  Hedw.  B — e. 
Weissia  Hedw. 

controversa. 

microdonta,  Hedw.     B — e. 

viridula,  Hedw.    B — e. 

HEPATIC2B. 

Anthoceros  L. 

levis,  L. 
Blasia  L. 

pusilla,  L.    Jungermannia  Blasiae.  Hook. 
Jungermannia  L. 

complavata,  L.     Plaited  Moss. 

ciliaris  L.  sertulariordes  MX. 

pinguis,  L. 

platyphylla,  L. 

porella,  Dickson.     Ware.  Mr.  Emerson  Davis. 

scalaris,  Schwein. 

tamarisci,  Martens. 

tomentella,   Ehrh. 

trilobata,  Weber. 

tridenticulata,  MX. 
Marchantia  L.     Liverwort. 

conica,  L.     B — e. 

crinita,  MX. 

cruciata?  L.     Staurophora  pulchella,  W. 

polymorpha,  L.     Brook  Liverwort.     B — e. 

triceps,  Schw.  M.  S. 
Riccia  L. 

fluitans,  L     Forkstems,  B — e.  * 

natans,  L.     Floating  Liverwort.  B — e. 

lutea,  Selus. 

GHARACEAE. 

Chara  L. 

flexilis,  W. 
foliosa,  W. 
vulgaris,  L.  Feather  Beds. 


642  Plants  in  Massachusetts. 


TRIBE    III. APHYLLAE    OR    tEAFLESS    FLOWERLESS    PLANTS. 

LICHENES. 

According  to  JLcharius,  except  where  other  authorities  are  mentioned. 

Alectoria. 

jubata.     JVegro  Hair. 
Arthonia. 

punctiformis. 

radiata. 
Bseomyces  Pers. 

roseus,  Pers. 
Borrera. 

chrysophthalma.      On  the  coast. 
Calicium. 

tigillare,  Cummington,  Dr.  Porter. 
Cenomyce. 

allotropa. 

baccillaris  clavata. 

botrytes. 

capitata. 

coccifera. 

endivoefolia. 

caespititia. 

gonorega. 

pyxidata. 

rangiferina. 

Van.  I  sylvatica. 

2  alpestris. 

3  minor, 
verticillata. 

Cetraria. 

ciliaris, 

glauca. 

lacunosa. 
Collema. 

furvum. 

juglandii,  Schw. 

lacerum. 

tunaeforme. 
Cornicularia  Schreb. 

fibrillosa. 
Endocarpon  Hedw. 

miniatum,  B — e. 

smaragdulum,  PlainfieJd,  Dr.  Porter. 

Weberi,  do.  do. 

Evernia. 

prunastri,  Borrera  purpuracea,  Spreng. 
Graphis   Adanson. 

scripta. 
Gyrophora. 

densta. 

Muhlenbergii,  B— e. 

papulosa.     B — e. 

vellea. 


Flwerless  Plants.  643 

Hysterium  Tocle. 

rufescens,  Schw. 
Lecanora. 

albella. 

atra.     var.  liquatilis. 

brunnea. 

caesio-rubella. 

candellaria. 

fulva,  Schw. 

granulosa. 

parella. 

salicina,  Plainfield,  Dr.  Porter. 

sophodes  ? 

subfusca. 

tartarea. 

tuberculosa. 

varia. 

vitellina. 
Lecidea. 

albella,  Schw.     M.  S. 

albo-caerulescens. 

carneola. 

demissa. 

Ehrhartiana. 

immersa. 

oederi  ? 

parasema. 

subfusca. 

umbrina. 
Lepraria. 

sulphurea, 
Nephroma. 

resupinata,  Spreng. 
Pyrenula  Spreng. 

enteroleuca,  Spreng.  Plainfield,  Dr.  Porter. 
Parmelia.     Shield  Lichen. 

aipolia. 

aleurites. 

caesia. 

caperata. 

ciliaris  ? 

colpodes. 

corrugata. 

crinita  ? 

cristulata. 

cycloselis. 

herbacea. 

olivacea. 

parietina. 

perforata. 

physodes. 

physodoides,  Schw.      M.  S. 

placorodia,  Muhl. 

plumb  ea. 

rutilans,   Plainfield,  Dr.  Porter. 

saxatilis. 

scortea. 


644  Plants  in  Massachusetts. 

Parmelia. 

stellaris. 

tiliacea. 

ulothrix. 

venusta. 
Peltidea. 

apthosa. 

canina. 

horizontals. 

scutata.     Target  Lichen. 

venosa. 
Porina. 

fallax. 

papillata. 

pertusa. 
Ramalina. 

fastigiata. 

fraxinea. 

polymorpha. 
Stereocaulon  Schreb. 

paschale. 
Sticta  Schreb. 

aurata,  Smith  in  Rees*  Cyc.     Western,  Dr.  Porter, 

pulmonacea. 

scrobiculata. 

sylvatica. 
Usnea  Schreb. 

florida,  Hoffm. 

plicata,  Hoffm. 
Variolaria  Pers. 

corallina,  Plainfield,  Dr.  Porter. 

velata. 
Verrucaria. 

gemmata. 

FUNGI. 

Aecidium  Pers. 

helianthi  mollis  ?  Schw. 

•olidaginis,  Schw.  and  many  others. 
Agaricus  L. 

alneus/L. 

campestris,  L.    B — e. 

coccineus.     B — e.» 

coriaceus,  Bull. 

disseminatus,  Pers. 

papyraceus.      B — e.» 

salignus,   Pers. 

trabeus?  Pers. 

velutipes,  Curtis.  And  several  decades  more  undetermined 
?  Amanita  Pers. 

cesareus,  Schaeff. 

livida?  Pers. 
Arcyria  Pers. 

punicea,  Pers. 


Flowerless  Plants.  645 

Boletus   L. 

adustus,  W.     Polyporus  adustus,  Fries. 

alneus,  Pers.    P.  cuticularis,  FT. 

badius,  Pers.     P,  varius,  Fr. 

betulinus,  Bull.     P.  betulinus,  Fr. 

bovinus,  L. 

brumalis,  Pers.     P.  brumalis,  Fr. 

carbonarius,  Schw.     M.  S. 

cinnabarinus,  Jacq.     P.  cinnabarinus,  Fr. 

citrinus,  Planer.     P.  sulphureut,  Fr. 

communis.     B — e.* 

conchifer,  Schw. 

delicatulus,  Schw.     M.  S. 

ferrugineus,  Schaeff. 

igniarius,  L.     B — e. 

isabellinus,  Schw.     P.  isabellinus,  Fr. 

leptocephalus,  Jacq.     P.  leptoccphalus,  Fr. 

lucidus,  Curtis.     P.  lucidus,  Fr. 

lutans,  B — e.» 

mucidus,  Pers.     P.  mucidus,  Fr. 

nigro-marginatus,  Schw. 

nitidus,  Pers.     P.  mtidus,  Fr. 

perennis,  L.    P.  perennis,  Fr. 

polycephalus,  Pers.     P.  ttmbellatus,  Fr. 

ramosus,  Bull.     P.  imbricatus,  Fr. 

reticulatus,  Pers.     P.  reticulatus^  Fr. 

salicinus,  Pers.    P.  salicinus,  Fr. 

squamosus,  Hudson.     P.  squamosus,  Fr. 

tulipiferae,  Schw. 

varius,  Pers.     P.  varius,  Fr. 

velutinus,  Pers.     P.  vttulinus*  Fr. 

versicolor,  L.     P.  rcmcoZor,  Fr. 
Bovista  Dillenius. 

nigrescens?  Pers.     Puff  ball. 
Cantharellus  Adanson. 

pusillus,  Fries. 

undulatus  ?  Fries. 
Clavaria  Vaillant. 

auranliaca,  Pers. 

coralloides,  L. 

helveloides  ?  Withering. 

pistillaris,  L. 

rufa  ?    Muhl. 

tenuis,  Sowerby. 
Daedalea  Pers. 

albida,  Schw.     SMotrema  violaceum,  Pers. 

cinerea,  Fries. 

confragosa,  Bolton. 

latissima,  Fries. 

quercina. 

pepiaria,  Wulfen. 
Fistulina  Bull. 

hepatica,  Fries.     Boletus  hepaticus,  Pers.     Plainfield,  Dr. 

Porter. 
Fuligo  Pers. 

rufa?  Pers. 

82 


646  Plants  in  Massachusetts. 

Geastrum  Pers. 

hygrometricum,  Pers. 

rufescens,  Schaeff.  ?*'*" •:""•*• 

Geoglossum  Pers. 

hirsutum,  Pers. 

Glonium  Muhl. 

stellatum,  Muhl. 

Gyropodium  Schvv.     M.  S.    Mitremyces  lutescens,  Sch\ 
in  Synopsi  Fungorum  Carolinae. 
coecineum.  Schw. 
Helotium   Pers. 

aciculare  1  Pers.     Peziza  Helot,  acic.  Fries. 
Helvella  L. 

albida,  Bull, 
esculenta,  Pers. 
mitra7  L. 
Himantia  Pers. 
Candida,  Pers. 
domestica,  Pers. 
Hydnum  L. 

coralloides,  Scop.     Conway  and  Ashfield. 
coriaceum,  Torrey.     M.  S. 
cyathiforme,  Bull. 
gelatinosum,  Scop, 
imbricatum,  L. 
occarium,  Eatsch. 
repandum,  L. 
tomentosum  ?  L. 
Hysterium  Tode. 

publicare,  Pers. 
rufescens,  Schw. 
Leotia  Hill. 

chlorocephala,  Schw. 
Licea  Schrader. 

variabilis,  Schrad. 
Lycogola  Pers. 

miniata,  Pers. 

Lycoperdon  L.     Puff  Ball.     Smoke.  Ball. 
bovista,  Pers.    non  Bull.     B — e. 
excipuliforme,  Scop, 
molle?    Pers. 
pratense,  Pers, 
pyriforme,  W.  B — e. 
Merisma  Pers. 

cristatum,  Pers.     Thelephora.     Meris.  crist.  Fries. 
Merulius  Halle r. 

agaricoides,  Schw.  M.  S. 

cantharellus,  Pers.     Cantharellus  cibarius  Fries. 
cornucopioides,  With.     Cantharellus  Corn.  Fries. 
eJegans,  Pers. 
tremellosus,  Schrad. 
Morchella  Dill. 

esculenta,  Pers. 
patula  ?  Fries. 


Flower  less  Plants.  647 


Mucor  L. 

herbariorum,  Wigg. 
mucedo,  Pers. 
Nsemaspora  Spreng. 

crocea,  Pers. 
Nidularia  Bull. 

campanulata,  Sibth.     Cyathus  olla  Pers. 
striata,  Bull.     Cyathus  striatus.  Hoffm. 
Peziza  L. 

acetabulum,  L. 
auriformis,  Schw. 
brunnea,  Fries, 
citrina,  Batsch. 
clypeata?    Schw. 
hemispherica,  Wigg. 
inquinans,  Pers. 
lenticularis,  Bull, 
mitrula,  Schw. 
nigrella,  Pers. 
scutellata,  L. 
umbrina,  Pers. 
Phallus  MX. 

impudicus,  L.  B — e. 
Physarum  Pers. 

cinereum  ?     Pers. 
Polyporus  Micheli. 

abietinus,  Fries.     Sistotrsma  violaceum  Pers. 
croceus,  Fries. 
Racodium  Pers. 

xylostroma,  Pers.      Oak  Leather.    Punk.    Xyloslroma  gi- 

ganteum  Tode. 
Rhizomorpha  Pers. 

subcorticalis,  Micheli. 
Scleroderma  Pers. 
cervinum,  Pers. 
Scleiotium  Tode. 

radiciiorme,  Schw.    M.  S.      A  remarkable    subterranean 

species.  Conway. 
Sistotrema  Pers, 

cinereum,  Pers. 
Spermoedia  Fries. 

clavus,  Fries.     Sderolium  Claims  De  Cand.  Ergot.     B — e. 
Sphaeria  Hall. 

bulbosa,  Pers. 
concentrica,  Tode. 

curvirostris,  Schw.  M.  S.     non  curvirostra  Sowerby. 
decolorans,  Pers. 
fragiformis  ?  Pers. 
gyrosa,  Schw. 
lata,  Pers. 
militaiis,  L. 
nivea,  Hoffm. 
.polymorpha,  Pers. 
rubiginosa,  Pers. 
scoparia,  Schw. 


648  Plants  in  Massachusetts. 

Stemonitis  Gleditsch. 

fasciculata,  Pers. 
Thelephora  Ehrhart. 

aurantia,  Ehrh. 

caryophyllaea  Schaeff. 

crispa,  Pers. 

fasciata,  Schw. 

ferruginea,  Pers.         No.  9. 

flabellaris,  Fries. 

frustulata,  Pers. 

gigantea,  Fries. 

hirsuta,  W. 

hydnoidea,  Pers. 

incaruata,  Pers. 

laevis,  Pers. 

multipartita,  Schw.  M.  S. 

palmata,  Fries. 

polygonia,  Pers. 

purpurea,  Pers. 

quercina,  pers. 

rubiginosa.  Schrad. 

rugosa,  Pers. 

spadicea  ?  Pers. 

terrestris,  Ehrh. 

verrucosa,  Schw.     M.  S. 

Tremella  Dill. 

mesenterica,  Retz. 

Trichia  Haller. 

varia,  Pers. 

Tubercularia  Tode. 

castanea,  Pers. 

pezizoidea,  Schw.  M.  S. 

rosea,  Pers. 

vulgaris,  Tode. 
Tubulina  Pers. 

fallax  ?  Pers. 

fragiformis,  Pers. 
Uredo  Pers. 

caricis,  Pers.     On  Carex  varia. 

flava,  B — e* 

linearis,  Lamb.     On  the  leaves  of  Oats,  rye,  wheat,  &c. 

zeae,  Schw.   Smut  on  Indian  Corn. 
Xyloma  Pers. 

acerinum  Pers. 

andromedae,  Pers. 

ALGAE. 

So  far  as  I  know,  scarcely  any  attention  has  been  given  to  this 

order  of  plants  in  Massachusetts. 
Conferva  L.     Frog's  Spittle. 

fontinalis,  L.     et  plures  aliae. 
Fucus  L. 

nodosus,  L.          >        On  the  coast  with 

vesciculosus,  L.  )        otherjspecies. 
Lemania  Agardh. 

fluviatilis,  Ag-ardh.     Turners  Falls. 


Flowerless  Plants.  649 

Solenia  Agardh.  )     On  the  Coast. 

ccmpressa, 'Agardh.      ) 

Spongia  L. 

fluviatilis,  L.     Leverett  and  Chesterfield.  Enumerated  among 

the  radiated  animals.     But  most  probablyjit  is  a  plant. 
Sphaerococus  Agardh.          }  P  On  the  coast. 

confervoides,  Agardh.          5 
Ulva  L. 

latissima^L.     On  the  coast  with  several  other  species. 


POSTCRIPT. 

Professor  John  Torrey  of  New  York  having-  obligingly  examined  the  preceding 
Catalog-ue  of  Plants  has  added  several  species  and  made  several  corrections.  Most 
of  these  have  been  inserted  in  the  proper  places  but  the  following-  were  not  receiv- 
ed in  season. 

UMBELLIFERAE. 

Crantzia  Nutt. 

lineata,  Nutt.     Near  Boston  :  found  by  Mr.  Nuttall.     B.  D.  Greene  Esq. 

RANUNCULACEAE. 

Thalictrum. 

cornuti,  L.  pubescens  Ph.  revolutum,  De  Cand. 


650 


General  Summary. 


Sum,mary  of  the  Genera  and  Species  of  Plants  in  the  preced- 
ing Catalogue. 

FLOWERING  PLANTS. 


Orders.  JVo. 

50  Hydropeltideae, 

51  Hydrophylleae, 

52  Hypericineae, 

53  Hypoxideae, 

54  Ilicineae, 

55  Illecebreae, 

56  Irideae, 

57  Juglandeae, 

58  Juncagineae, 

59  Junceae, 

60  Labiatae, 

61  Laurineae, 

62  Leguminoseae, 

63  Lentibulariae, 

64  Liliaceae, 

65  Loaseae, 

66  Lobeliaceae, 

67  Lineae, 

68  Magnoliaceae, 

69  Malvaceae, 

79  Melastomaceae, 

71  Melanthaceae, 

72  Menispermaceae, 

73  Myriceae, 

74  -Nymphaeaceae, 

75  Oleaceae, 

76  Onagrariae, 

77  Orchideae, 

78  Orobancheae, 

79  Oxalideae, 

80  Papaveraceae, 

81  Phytolacceae, 

82  Pistiaceae, 

83  Plantagineae, 

84  Piataneae, 

85  Plumbagineae, 

86  Podostomeae, 

87  Podophylleae, 

88  Polygaleae, 

89  Polygoneae, 

90  Pomaceae, 

91  Pontederiae, 

92  Portulaceae, 

93  Primulaceae, 

94  Pyrolaceae,  " 

95  Ranunculaceae, 

96  Restiaceae, 

97  Rhamneae, 

98  Rhiuanthaceae, 


Orders.              JVo. 

Gen. 

JVo.  Spe. 

1  Acerineae, 

1 

5 

2  Alismaceae, 

2 

6 

3  Amaranthaceae, 

1 

4 

4  Apocyneae, 

1 

3 

5  Amygdaleae, 

1 

9 

6  Anacardiaceae, 

1 

6 

7  Araliaceae, 

2 

5 

8  Aristolochiae, 

1 

1 

9  Aroideae, 

6 

7 

10  Artocarpeae, 

1 

2 

11  Asclepiadeae, 

1 

10 

12  Asphodeleae, 

3 

4 

13  Balsamineae, 

1 

2 

14  Berberideae, 

2 

2 

15  Betulinae, 

4 

10 

16  Boragineae, 

6 

11 

17  Cacteae, 

1 

1 

18  Callitrichineae, 

1 

2 

19  Carnpanulaceae, 

1 

3 

20  Caprifohaceae, 

8 

24 

21  Caryophylleae, 

11 

25 

22  Celastrineae, 

1 

1 

23  Ceratophylleae, 

1 

1 

24  Chenopodeae, 

6 

13 

25  Cinchonaceae, 

2 

2 

26  Circaeaceae, 

1 

Q 

27  Cistineae, 

3 

8 

28  Compositae, 

37 

146 

29  Coniferae, 

4 

13 

30  Convolvulaceae, 

2 

4 

31  Crassulaceae, 

1 

1 

32  Cruciferae, 

14 

23 

33  Cucurbitaceae, 

2 

2 

34  Cupuliferae, 

4 

15 

35  Cyperaceae, 

8 

126 

36  Dioscoreae, 

1 

1 

37  Dipsaceae, 

1 

1 

38  Droseraceae, 

1 

3 

39  Ericeae, 

10 

18 

40  Euphorbiaceae, 

2 

5 

41  Fluviales, 

4 

12 

42  Fumariaceae, 

2 

5 

43  Gentianeae, 

5 

10 

44  Geraniaceae, 

1 

3 

45  Gramineae, 

46 

126 

46  Grossulaceae, 

1 

8 

47  Halorageae, 
48  Hamamelideae, 
49  Hydiocharideae, 

2 
,    1 

2 

7 
1 
2 

Gen. 

JVb.  Spe 

1 

1 

1 

2 

1 

9 

1 

1 

2 

5 

1 

1 

2 

3 

2 

6 

2 

2 

2 

12 

21 

35 

1 

2 

17 

44 

1 

6 

2 

4 

1 

1 

1 

7 

1 

1 

2 

2 

4 

4 

1 

1 

2 

2 

1 

1 

2 

3 

2 

3 

2 

4 

3 

9 

14 

32 

2 

3 

1 

3 

2 

2 

1 

1 

1 

3 

3 

1 

1 

1 

1 

5 

2 

25 

2 

8 

2 

3 

2 

2 

6 

10 

2 

10 

10 

27 

1 

2 

2 

3 

4 

5 

General  Summary. 


651 


Orders.  No. 

99  Rosaceae, 

100  Salicariae, 

101  Salicineae, 

102  Sanguisorbeae, 

103  Santalaceae, 

104  Sarracenieae, 

105  Saxifrageae, 

106  Scleraotheae, 

107  Scrophularineae, 

108  Smilaceae, 

109  Solaneae, 

110  Staphylaceae, 

111  Stellatae, 


Gen.  No. 

Spe.            Orders.             No. 

Gen. 

No.  Spe. 

8 

36 

112  Thymeleae, 

1 

1 

3 

4 

1J3  Tiliaceae, 

1 

2 

2 

21 

114  Typhaceae, 

2 

5 

1 

1 

115  Vaccineae, 

2 

12 

2 

3 

116   Verbenaceae, 

2 

4 

1 

1 

117  Violaceae, 

] 

17 

5 

7 

118  Vites, 

2 

4 

1 

1 

119  Ulmaceae, 

2 

2 

11 

28 

120  Umbelliferae, 

15 

20 

6 

20 

121  Urticeae, 

4 

8 

6 

9 

122  Xanthoxyleae, 

1 

1 

1 

1 

123  Xyrideae, 

1 

1 

1 

11 





Whole  No.       442 


1223 


FLOWERLESS 

PLANTS, 

Orders.            No.  of  Genera. 

JVo.  of  Species. 

1  Algae,                          7 

8 

2  Characeae,                 1 

3 

3  Equisetaceae,             1 

6 

4  Filices,                       15 

43 

5  Fungi,                        49 

175 

6  Hepaticae,                   5 

19 

7  Lichenes,                  28 

109 

8  Lycopodiaceae,           1 

10 

9  Musci,                        31 

107 

Whole  No. 


138 


480 


652  General  Summary. 

GENERAL  SUMMARY. 

Of  the  Catalogues  of  Animals  and  Plants. 

JVb.  of  Genera.  No.  of  Species. 

I,  Mammalia.  27  45 

II.  Birds,  57  160 

III.  Reptiles,  7  33 

IV.  Fishes,  56  102 

V.  Shells,  (Marine.*)  52  91 

Do.  (Land  &  Fresh  W.f)  12  44 

VI.  Crustacea,  21  26 

VII.  Spiders,  20  125 

VIII.  Insects,  423  2350 

IX,  Radiata,  12  Undetermined. 

Total  of  Animals.  687  2976 

X.  Plants,  (Flowering.)  442  1223 
(Flowerless.)    138  480 

Total  of  Plants.     580  1703 

9  Only  Mr.  Green's  Catalogue  is  here  reckoned ;  since  that  of  Col.  Totten 
embraces  the  whole  coast  of  New  England. 

t  In  order  to  make  out  these  numbers,  we  must  add  to  those  contained  in  Mr. 
Earle's  Catalogue  on  page  557,  the  following  genera  and  species  ascertained  by 
that  gentleman  since  his  list  was  printed,  and  received  only  in  time  to  insert  in 
this  place. 

GENUS  VAtVATA. 

Valvata  arinifera  ?  Lea. 

GENUS   HELIX. 

Helix  labyrinthica,  Say. 

and  two  other  species. 


APPENDIX. 


A   CATALOGUE 

OF  SPECIMENS  OF  ROCKS  AND  MINERALS 

ILLUSTRATING  THE  REPORT  OP  A  GEOLOGICAL  SURVEY 
OF  MASSACHUSETTS. 

Made  by  Order  of  the  Government  of  the  State. 

This  collection,  which  I  have  made  by  direction  of  the  State,  and  which  I  now 
present  to  its  constituted  authorities,  can  be  reg-arded  as  by  no  means  perfect. 
Several  of  the  rarer  and  less  important  minerals  in  the  State  will  not  be  found  in 
it  :  nor  can  I  flatter  myself  that  I  have  obtained  every  variety  of  rock  that  exists 
in  our  limits.  Vet  have  I  done  all  in  my  power,  during  the  three  years  that  have 
been  devoted  to  the  geological  survey,  to  procure  a  fair  and  full  representation  of 
our  rocks  and  minerals.  Not  improbably,  however,  the  proprietors  of  some  of 
the  quarries  of  stone  in  the  Commonwealth,  will  conceive  that  their  own  are  not 
fairly  represented  :  for  in  many  instances  I  could  only  procure  such  samples  of  the 
rock  as  presented  themselves  to  my  view  at  the  quarries.  But  it  will  be  easy  for 
any  who  are  disposed  to  do  it,  to  substitute  for  the  specimens  in  this  collection 
others  of  a  better  character.  And  I  would  respectfully  invite  all,  who  feel  an  in- 
terest in  having  this  collection  exhibit  a  fair  and  full  collection  of  the  mineral  re- 
sources of  the  State,  to  supply  its  deficiencies  as  they  have  opportunity.  In  gen- 
eral I  have  reduced  the  specimens  to  rather  a  small  size  :  always  intending,  how- 
ever, that  they  should  fairly  exhibit  the  characters  of  the  rock  or  mineral  from 
which  they  were  broken  :  The  great  number  of  specimens  which  I  was  obliged  to 
collect,  (one  suit  for  the  government  and  one  for  each  of  the  colleges  in  the  State,) 
compelled  me  to  consult  utility  almost  entirely ;  and  hence  the  collection  contains 
little  display  of  large  and  splendid  specimens. 

The  specimens  in  this  Catalogue  are  arranged  in  the  same  order  as  the  rocks  are 
described  in  the  proceding  Report.  The  specimens  of  the  rocks  are  first  givem 
and  then  those  of  the  simple  minerals  which  they  contain. 

About  130  of  the  specimens  have  been  smoothed  or  polished  ;  and  this  is  men- 
tioned under  each  number,  where  such  is  the  case.  Those  specimens  that  have 
been  only  smoothed,  have  been  varnished ;  and  this  process  will  need  to  be  re- 
newed occasionally.  I  found  that  in  this  way  the  true  character  of  the  rock  could 
be  brought  to  light  quite  as  distinctly  as  by  polishing  :  and  thus  the  expense  was 
considerably  reduced. 

83 


654  Appendix. 

STRATIFIED    ROCKS. 

Alluvium. 

No.  From 

1  Alluvial  sand,          Lock's  Pond,  Shutesbury. 

2  Alluvial  loam,  (polishing-  powder,)         do 

3  and  4     Peat,         Pittsfield. 

do  Leverett. 

do  Hadley. 

7  and  8     do  Weston. 

do  Northborough. 

do  Shrewsbury, 

do  Wilbraham. 

12  Marl,  Pittsfield. 

13  Planorbis  parvus  and  bicarinatus  in  marl,         Pittsfield. 

14  do         trivolvis  do  do 

15  Lymnaea  heterostropha  and  catascopium,  do       do 

16  Cyclas  (nondescript,  J.  M.  Earl,)  in  marl,  do 

17  Bog- Ore,  Brookfield. 

do  New  Braintree. 

19  do         petrified  carex,  do 

20  Black  Wad,  (earthy  oxide  of  mang-anese,)        Con  way. 

do  Leverett. 

22  do  Whately. 

Diluvium. 

23  Diluvium,  Leominster. 

do  ferruginous,      do 

25,  26,  27,  and  28  do  consolidated,         Pownal,  Vt. 

29  Pyrula  Carica,  (47  feet  below  the  surface,)        Nantucket. 

30  do        do        worn,  Nantucket. 

31  Natica  — Heros,  do 

32  Crepidula  Fornicata,  do 

33  Venus  Castanea,  do 

34  Mactra,  do 


Tertiary  Formations.     Newest  Te 

35    Clay,  Amherst. 

>     Sand,  do 

37  and  38    Clay,         Leominster. 

fn  o  ^  do  loamy>  do 

40  Sand,  do 

41  Arg-illo-Calcareous  Concretions  in  Clay,  South  Hadley. 
42, 43,  and  44                do  Amherst. 

do  Hadley. 

do  South  Hadley. 
47  and  48    Organic  Remains  in  Clay  and  Loam,  Deerfield. 

49  and  50                do                               do  South  Hadley  Canal. 

do                                 do  Deerfield. 

j*J    _                       do                                do  Charlestown. 

53    Brown  Hematite,     Stalactical,  Richmond. 

;>4                do                     ,  do  West  Stockbridge. 

do                  pavonine,  do 

j~                do                   compact,  Richmond. 

do                   mamillary,  Lenox. 

™                do                  with  yellow  ocre,  West  Stockbridge. 

with  red  oxide,  do 

cV     r«-i.v  •                      with  radiated  manganese,  do 
61     Gibbsite,        Richmond. 


Catalogue  of  Specimens.  655 

Plastic  Clay  Formation. 

62 — 68    Clay  of  various  colors,         Gay  Head,  Martha's  Vineyard. 
69  and  70     Sand  agglutinated,  yellow,     do 

71  do  white,       do 

72  do  green,       do 

73  do  with  clay,        do 
74,75,  and  76     Lignite,  do 

77  Quartzose  conglomerate — cemented  by  iron,         Gay  Head. 

78  and  79         do  cement,  argillo  bituminous         do 

80  Specimen  of  oolitic  aspect,  do 

81  Indurated  Clay,  do 

82,  83,  and  84    Impressions  of  Leaves  on  argillaceous  iron  ore,         Gay  Head. 

65    Impression  of  a  seed  vessel;  Gay  Head. 

86  Vegetable  Remains,  do 

87  Cast  of  a  Venus  ?  do 

88  Cast  of  a  Selina,  do 

89  Cast  of  a  Turbo  ?  do 
91,  92,  93,  and  94    Alcyonia  1  do 

95  Unknown  animal  relic  in  ferruginous  sand,         Nantucket. 

96  Fossil  Zoophyta  inconglomerate,         Gay  Head,  Martha's  Vineyard. 
97,  98,  and  99     Fossil  Crabs  in  green  sand,  do 

100,  101,  and  102    Sharks'  teeth  in  green  sand  and  conglomerate,     Gay  Head. 
103     Crocodiles'  tooth  changed  into  flint,         Gay  Head. 
104—108    Vertebrae  (104  and  107  mineralized,)      do 

109  Fragment  of  a  rib,  do 

110  and  111     Fragments  of  bone,  do, 

112  do  with  lignite  in  quartzose  conglomerate,  do. 

113,  114,  and  115  do  in  do  Gay  Head. 

116  do  perforated  do 

117  and  118    Radiated  and  Fibrous  Pyrites,  do 

119  Hydrate  of  Iron,     pisiform,  do 

120  do  mamillary,  do 

121  do  nodular  perforated  by  lignite,  do 

122  and  123  do  do  do 
124,  125,  and  126  do        columnar,  do 
127 — 130      do                 compact  and  slaty,  do 

131  Selenite  in  clay  with  lignite,  do 

New  Red  Sandstone. 

132  Conglomerate,  coarse,  Greenfield. 

133  and  134  do          variegated,     Deerfield. 

135  do      .    of  comminuted  granite,         Bernardston. 

136  do  do  Westfield. 

137  do         from  the  ruins  of  argillo-micaceous  slate,      Greenfield. 

138  and  139  do  do  Bernardston. 

140  do          from  mica  slate,  talcose  slate,  granite,  &c.      Mount  Toby. 

141  do  do  do  Mouth  of  Miller's  river. 

142  do  do  do        epidotic  do 

143  Nodule  from  same  conglomerate,     do  do 

144  Conglomerate  from  the  ruins  of  Granite,         South  Hadley  Canal. 

145  do  do  Mt.  Holyoke. 

146  do  do  Belchertown. 

147  do  do  Amherst. 

do  with  a  ferruginous   concretion,  South  Hadley  Canal. 

149  do  chiefly  a  nodule  of  granite,         Amherst. 

150  do  gray,  Turner's  Falls. 
151,  152,  153  Trap  Conglomerate,            Mount  Tom,  Northampton. 
285*                               do  do 

*  Added  to  the  Collection  since  the  tickets  were  pasted  upon  the  other  specimens. 


656 


Appendix. 


154  Coarse  red  Sandstone, 

155  do 

156  do 

157  do 

158  do 

159,  160  Reddish  Sandstone, 


161 
162 
163 
164 

165 
166 

Ib7 
168 
169 
170 


Gray 
Reddish 
do 


Fine  red 

do 

Coarse  Gray 
Light  Gray 
Darker 
Variegated 


do 
do 
do 
do 

do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 


171     Gray,  fine             do 

Wei 

172          do                      do 

Am 

173    Coarser                 do 

Tur 

174    Brecciated            do 

neai 

175    Micaceous,  gray  do 

Sou 

176            do                  do 

under  the  trap, 

177            do                  do 

do 

178,179    do                  do 

180            do                  do 

•  under  the  trap, 

181     Amygdaloid  al      do 

near  the  trap, 

182            do                  do 

do 

286*           do 

183    Micaceous            do 

passing  into  sh 

184            do                 do 

(Hoyt's  Quarry,)  Deerfield. 
Westfield. 
Whately. 
water  worn.  Greenfield. 

do 

West  Spring-field. 
(Hoyt's  Quarry,)  Deerfield. 
Westfield. 
Long-meadow. 

with  pisces  of  fine   red  micaceous  sandstone   par- 
tially imbedded,         Turner's  Falls, 
(smoothed,)         Longmeadow. 

do 

from  the  Adit,    Southampton  Lead  Mines. 
Mount  Holyoke. 
Turner's  Falls. 

and  sub-crystalline   in  contact  with  trap,  Titan's 
Pier,  Had  ley. 

West  Springfield. 


Mt.  Holyoke. 
Mt.  Tom,  Northampton. 
Turner's  Falls. 
Mount  Tom. 

do 

Granby. 
Northampton. 
South  Hadley. 
Sunderland  Cave. 


do 


185,  186  Nodules  of  concretionary  carbonate  of  ) 
Lime  from  micaceous  sandstone,  J 

187  Micaceous  Sandstone  with  carbonate  of  Copper,         Turner's  Falls. 

188  Variegated      do  Agawam  river,  West  Springfield. 

189  do  do  Turner's  Falls. 

190  do  do  South  Hadley  Falls. 

191,  192     Red  shale,  slightly  micaceous,  divided  by  cross  seams,  near  Turner's  F. 


193     Reddish  fine  micaceous  sandstone,  under  the  trap, 
194,  195  do  on  shale, 

196,  19';,  198  do  do 

199  Shale  breaking  into  wedge-form  masses, 

200  do     gray,  hard,  micaceous, 

301         do     yellow  decomposing,  (a  bowlder,) 

202,  203do    black, 

204        do      do 

205,  206,  207    Bituminous  Marlite, 

208  do 

209  do  variegated, 

210  do  glazed, 


Titan's  Pier. 

Turner's  Falls. 

South  Hadley  Canal. 

Turner's  Falls. 

do 

Amherst. 

South  Hadley  Canal. 
West  Springfield. 

do 

Sunderland. 
West  Springfield. 

do 


do 


do 


211,  212    Bituminous  (fetid  ?)  Limestone,  Paine's  Quarry,  do 

do 

do 

do 
do 
do 


213 
214 

215 
216 


Fetid  Limestone,  very  hard  and  brittle, 

do  with  a  singular  fracture  re- 

sembling  an  organic  relic, 
do  Meachams'  Quarry. 

Argillo-ferruginous  Limestone,  Agawam  River, 


217,  218,~219 
220,  221 


Tripoli, 


Paine's  Quarry, 
South  Hadley  Falls,  on  the  W.  Springfield  shore. 


*  See  note  on  preceding  page. 


Catalogue  of  Specimens.  657 

222—225     Septaria  or  Ludus  Helmontii,  West  Spring-field. 

226,  227     Concreted  Carbonate  of  Lime,  Mount  Toby,  Leverett. 

228  do  Sunderland  Cave,. 

229  do  Paine's  Quarry,  W.  Spring-field. 

230  do  stalactical,  Sunderland  Cuve. 

231  Calcareous  Spar  in  Veins  in  black  shale,    W.  Springfield. 
232,  233,  234     Satin  Spar  in  red  and  black  shale,          do 

235  Sulphate  of  Baryta,  below  Turner's  Falls,  Greenfield. 

236  Sulphate  of  Stroutia  on  fetid  carbonate   )  Meachams>  Quan  W.  Spring-field. 

of  Lime,  5 

237  Bituminous  Coal  in  bituminous  marlite,      W.  Spring-field. 

238  do  do  with  blende,         do 

239  Blende  and  Galena  in  fetid  limestone,  do 

240  Carbonate  of  Iron  in  lenticular  crystals,     Turner's  Falls. 

241  do  7  South  Hadley  Canal. 

242  Iron  Sand,  Turner's  Falls. 

243  Red  Oxide  of  Copper  in  Sandstone,  Simsbury  Mines,  Granby,  Ct. 

244  Pyritous  Copper  in  Sandstone,  Turner's  Falls. 

245  Green  Carbonate  of  Copper,  (poor  specimen)     Greenfield. 

246  Bituminous  Coal  in  sandstone,  South  Hadley,  north  part. 

247  do  do  South  Hadley  Canal. 

248  Anasphaltic  Coal  do  Turner's  Falls. 

249  Incrustation  of  purple  fluate  of  lime  on  )   p  {     )g  Quarry  W<  Springfield, 

fetid  Limestone,  $ 

250-254    Vegetable  Remains  on  bituminous  )  Sunderiand,  north  part. 

shale,  (calamitea  ?)  $ 

255  do  W.  Springfield. 

256  do  Sunderland. 
257,  258     Fucoides  in  new  red  sandstone,  Deerfield. 
259                   do                         do  Greenfield. 
260,261           do                        do  Deerfield. 

262,  263     Encrinite  (?)  shale,  W.  Springfield. 

264,  265     Gorgonia  on  shale,  do 

266  do  without  reticulations,  do 

267  Zoophy  ta  (?)  converted  into  Flint  in  shale,  do 

268 — 277  Unknown  Organic  Remains  in  fetid  Limestone,  W.  Springfield. 

278,  279  Icthyolites  (Palaeothrissum)  in  bituminous  shalc;  Sunderland. 

280  do         two  fish  in  contact,  do 

281  do         only  scattered  fragments  of  the  fish,  do 

282  Concretion  (?)  or  Organic  Relic  (?)  in  shale,  Turner's  Falls. 

283  Moulds  of  Organic  Relics  (?)  South  Hadley  Canal. 

284  Organic  Relic  (?)  in  shale  :  or  veins  of  Clay,  do 
285,  286     (See  the  numbers  following  153  and  182.) 

Graywacke. 

287  Conglomerate  the  variety  most  common,  Dorchester. 

288  do  do  Swansey. 

289  do  do  with  a  vein  of  quartz,  Brookline. 

290  do  do  Attleborough. 

291  do                      do  reddish,  Roxbury. 
307*  do    red,  >  Attleborough. 

292  do  gray,  >  Natick. 

293  do  nodules  chiefly  mica  slate,  Bradford. 

294  doiiiodules  fine  mica  slate  or  quartz  rock,  )  Middletown  R.  Island. 

containing  mag.  ox.  iron,  3 

292  do  quartzose  brecciated,  Attleborough. 

296  Breccia  fragments  of  slate  reunited,         Natick. 

297  do  do  Randolph. 

298  do  fine,  do  Natick. 

299  do  fragments  compact  feldspar-cement         )  Saueus. 

indurated  wacke,  5 


658 


Appendix. 


300 
301 
302 
303 
304 
305  306 


do  angular  fragments  of  compact  feldspar  reunited,     Nantasket  Beach. 

do  somewhat  rounded,  do         slaty,  Dorchester. 

do             do                                 do  Canton. 

quartz  rock-dark  purple  quartz  &  mica  or  talc  Middletown  R.  Island. 

do                             do  chiefly,  do 

do                             do  with  mica  or  talc  >  «  «  R:vpr  m 

and  argillaceous  matter,  }  *  ali  Klver>  L  r°y' 

307  see  No.  following  291. 

308  graywacke  slate  passing  into  mica  slate,  >       , 

associated  with  Nos.     305  &  306  J 

quartz  Rock,  red  with  red  oxide  of  iron,  Attleborouifh. 

do                      do  Wrentham. 

do                     chocolate  color,  Rehoboth. 

do                            do  Walpole. 

do                             do  Abington. 

do                            do  Canton, 

do                           do  slaty,  Wrentham. 

do                           do  very  slaty,  Randolph, 
do                           do  with  veins  of  white  quartz,  Wrentham. 

do                            red,  Greenbush,  N.  York. 


309 
311 
312 
313 
314 
315 
316 
317 
318 
319 
320 
321 
322 
323 
324 
325 
326 
327 


Talcose  Aggregate  (Steachist  ?)  conglomerated,  Canton. 


329 

330 

331 

332 

333 

334 

335 

336 

337 

338 

339 

340 

341 

342 

343 

344,  345 

346 

347 

348 

349 

350 

351 

352 

353 

354 

356 


do  slaty, 

do  do 

do  do 

Classical  graywacke,gray, 
do  reddish, 

do  red, 

do  do  (bowlder) 

do  gra7? 

do  with  veins  of  quartz, 
do  with  do 

do  with  do 

do 

do  with  anthracite, 
do  gray, 

Graywacke  Slate,  gray, 
do 
do 
do 

do  glazed, 
do 
do 

do  epidotic, 
do 


do 

do 

do  light, 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do      deep  red  from  oxide  of  iron,  Attleborough. 

do  gray,  do 

do  reddish,  Newbury. 


Cambridge. 

Walpole. 

Newbury. 

Rehoboth. 
do 

Attleborough. 

Hull. 

Newton. 
Pawtucket. 
Stephentown,  N.  Y. 
Attleborough. 
Rehoboth. 
Troy,  N.  Y. 
Stephentown  N.  Y. 
Newton. 
Watertown. 
Pawtucket. 
Newbury. 

Newport,  R.  Island. 
Watertown. 
Natick. 
Newton. 
Taunton. 


do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 


do  with  quartz  veins,          Pawtucket. 
do  divided  by  cross  seams,  Wrentham. 


355, 
357 
358 
359 


do  do 

do  variegated, 
do 

red  (argillaceous  slate  ?) 
do  reddish  variegated, 
do  gray, 
Novaculite. 
Argillaceous  Slate— coalmine, 


Pawtucket. 
Newbury. 
Milton. 

Newbury,  Thents  Island. 
Hull. 

Nassau,  N.  Y. 
Charlestown. 
Portsmouth,  R.  I. 


variegated,          Charlestown. 


Catalogue  of  Specimens.  659 

360  do  rhomboidal,  Rainsford's  Islands. 

361  do  do  South  Boston. 

362  do  laminae  curved,  Rainsford  Islands. 

363  do  light  gray,  Halifax. 

364  Argillaceous  Slate  with  veins  of  calcareous  spar.  Watertown. 

365  do  variegated.  Quincy. 

366  do  Hull. 

367  do  (Novaculite  ?)  Boston  Light  House. 

368  do  (do?)  Hingham. 

369  do  (do  ?)  Spring  Street,  Roxbury. 

370  do  (da?)  Watertown. 

371  Amphibolic  Aggregate          Middletown,  R.  Island. 

372  Varioloid  Wacke,  Saugus. 

373  do  Brighton. 

374  do  Hingham. 

375  do  Nantasket  Beach. 

376  do  *         Hingham. 

377  do  nodules  quartz  and  epidote,      Brighton. 

378  do  approaching  to  porphyry  Needham. 

379  Wacke  from  a  vein  in  granite — lead  mine,  Easton. 

380  Amygdaloid  passing  into  siliceous  slate,  Newport,  R.  Island 

381  Siliceous  Slate,  porphyritic,  do 

382  do  do 

383  do        with  vein  of  granite,  do 
384,  385.  do                                                    Nahant. 

386  Passing  into  Chert,  do 

387  Jasper,  Newport,  R.  Island. 

387  1-2  Heliotrope,  do 

388  Clouded  Jasper  (Compact  Feldspar  ?)  (polished)  Saugus. 
389,  390  Jasper,  do 

391  Prase  with  asbestus,  Brighton. 

392  Zoisite  from  the  amphibolic  aggregate,  .Middletown,  R.  Island. 

393  Cubical  Pyrites  in  anthracitous  slate,     Wrentham,  coal  mine. 

394  Asbestus  in  slate,  Somerset. 

395  Impressions  of  fern&  &c,  on  slate,  Newport,  R.  Island. 

396  Equiactum  ?  on  anthracitous  slate  do 

397  Unknown  impressions  on      do  do 

398  Calamites,  Wrentham,  Coal  Mine. 

399  Neoropteris  ?  &c,  on  slate,  do 

400  Fucoides  ?  on  hard  schistose  rock,     Attleborough. 

401  Anthracite  from  graywacke,       Wrentham. 

402  do  do  Portsmouth,  R.  Island. 

403  See  the  No.  following  No.  803. 

Argillaceous  Slate. 

404  Macle  in  argillaceous  slate,  (bowlder.)         Worcester. 

405  Common  argillaceous   slate,  Guilford,  Vt. 

406  do  Lancaster. 

407  do  Shirley. 

408  do  Harvard. 

409  do  Pepperell. 

410  do  passing  into  mica  slate,         Bernardston. 

411  and  412         do  with  quartz  veins,         Guilford,  Vt. 

413  do  wavy  surface.  Glen,     Leyden. 

414  and  415         do  contorted,  Guilford. 

416  Micaceo-argillaceous  Slate  in  echellon,        Glen,  Leyden. 

417  Argillaceous  Slate  much  bent,         Guilford,  Vt. 
413  do  do  do 


660  Appendix. 

419  do  exhibiting  a  double  flexure,     do 

420  do  red,  Sand  Lake,  N.  Y. 

421  do  gray  beneath  limestone,       Chatham,  N.  Y. 

422  do  epidotic,  Hancock. 

423  Chloritic  Slate,  Guilford,  Vt. 

424  and  425  Passing  into  Noraculite,         Guilfor  d,  Vt 

426  Chiastolite  in  argillaceous  Slate,         Lancaster. 

427  A  card  of  made st  do 

Limestone. 

428  and  429  White  marble  polished  .          Adams. 

430  and  431  do  do  West  Stockbridge. 

432  do  do  Lanesborough. 

433  and  434  do  do  New  Ashford. 

435  White  Saccharine  Limestone  (bowlder.)         Peru. 

436  Granular  white  Dolomite,  Sheffield. 

437  Gray  Marble  Cpolished.)  Lanesborough. 

438  do  do  W.  Stockbridge. 

439  and  440  Gray  Marble  clouded  (polished.)  New  Ashford 

441  do  do  do  West  Stockbridge. 

442  Dove  colored  Marble  clouded  (polished.)         Great  Harrington. 

443  Gray  Limestone,  Sheffield. 

444  do  Lee. 

445  do  nearly  compact,  Lanesborough. 

446  do  do  West  Stockbridge. 

447  do  light,  Pittsfield. 

448  Dark  graylimestone  nearly  compact,         Williamstown. 

449  and  450  do  do  Stephentown,  N.  Y. 

451  do  Canaan,  N.  Y. 

452  do  compact  with  veins  of  calc.  spar,         Chatham,  N.  Y. 

453  do  with  numerous  veins  of  quartz,  do 

454  Yellowish  coarse  Limestone  with  a  foreign  mineral,          Stockbridge. 

455  Micaceous  Limestone  do 

456  do  with  mica  and  quartz,  Canaan,  Ct. 

457  do  do  Lanesborough. 

458  do  do  South  Lee. 

459  do  do  Whately. 

460  do  do  Colrain. 

461  do  do  Con  way. 

462  do  do  Heath. 

463  do  do  Southampton. 

464  do  do  with  veins  of  quartz  and  calc.  spar,         Conwa^ 

465  do  do  with  veins  of  granite,  Colrain. 

466  do  with  veins  of  argentine,  West  Hampton. 

467  do  decomposed  at  the  surface,     Guilford,  Vt. 

468  and  469  Gray  Limestone  in  mica  slate  (bowlders.)     Williamsburgh. 
470  and  471  Encrinal  Limestone,  Bernardston. 
472                     do         brecciated  (polished.)  do 

473,  474  arid  475  Disintegrating  Encrini  in    do  do 

476  Coarse  white  limestone  with  graphite  (bowlder.)         Blanford. 

477  and  478    do  do 

479  do  Whitingham,  Vt. 

480  .,        do  micaceous,  do 

481  do  with  chlorite  (a  bowlder,  Conway.)  originally  from  do 
489  and  483  Dolomitic  (?)  Limestone,  Somerset,  Vt. 

484  Fine  granular  Dolomite,  do 

485  White  crystalline  fetid  Limestone,  Bolton. 

486  Petalite,  do 


Catalogue  of  Specimens. 


661 


487  and  488  do 

419  do  with  serpentine, 

400  do 

491  and  492  Coarse  granular  whitish  Limestone, 

493  do 

494  Gray  do  do 

495  Compact  light  gray  do 

496  Compact  white  translucent  marble  (polished.) 

497  Granular  clouded  limestone, 

498  White  do        Harris  Rock, 

499  do  do         Dexter  Rock, 

500  Flesh  coloured  do 

501  Flexible  Marble  Slab,  New  Ashford. 

502  Laminated  Calcareous  Spar,  Bernardston. 

503  Crystalline,         do  do 

504  Hydrate  of  Iron,  do 

505  Magnetic  Oxide  of  Iron,  do 

506  Nephrite  Stoneham. 

507  Allochroite?  do 

508  Specks  of  Serpentine  in  limestone,  Boxborough 

509  Crystalline  Augite  in  calc.  spar,  do 

510  Calcareous  Spar,  wine  yellow  in  lime,     do 

511  Actynolite,  in    do 

512  do  radiated  in 

513  Compact  purple  scapolite  &c. 

514  Lilac  do 

515  Crystallized  do  in  gray  quartz, 

516  Dark  gray    do  (Nuttallite) 

517  Sahlite, 

518  do        with  compact  scapolite 

519  Diopside, 

520  Actynolite, 

521  and  522  Bisilicate  of  Magnesia,  (Boltonite.) 
523  and  524  White  amianthus, 

525  Limestone  and  white  talc, 


Boxborough. 
Littleton, 
do 

Chelmsford. 
Acton. 
Walpole. 

Newport,  R,  Island. 
Stoneham. 
Smithfield  R.  Island 
do 
do 
do 


do 


do 
do 
do 

Bolton. 
do 
do 
do 

Acton. 

Whitingham,  Vt. 
Chelmsford. 

Bolton. 
Chelmsford. 
Smithfield,  R.  Island, 


526  Crystalline  augite  scapolite  and  cinnamon  stone,  Carlisle. 

527  Cinnamon  Stone  arid  pargasite,  do 

528  do  do 

529  Crystallized  Scapolite,  Littleton. 

530  Actynolite,  do 

531  Phosphate  of  Lime  in  scapolite.  Littleton. 

532  Sphene  with  scapolite  and  petalite       Bolton. 

533  do  do  Littleton. 

534  do        with  augite  and  scapolite,    Carlisle. 

535  'White  crystallized  Augite  in  dolomite,  Canaan.  Ct, 

536  Carbonate  of  Lime  and  Augite,  Lee. 

537  Tremolite  in  Dolomite,  do 

538  do  do  Canaan,  Ct. 
589        do  Sheffield. 

Scapolite  Rock. 

540  Scapolite  Rock  somewhat  crystalline,          Canaan,  Ct. 

541  do        compact  (the  common  variety.)         do 

542  do         with  dolomite  do 

543  do        with  mica  passing  into  mica  slate^    do 

544  Quartz,  scapolite  and  augite,  do 

84 


662 


Appendix. 


Quartz  Rock. 

545  White  hyaline  Quartz  from  mica  a  late, 

546  do  do 

547  Whitish  Quartz  nearly  opaque  do 

54g  do  do  from  a  vein  in 

hornblende  slate, 

do         containing  argillaceous  slate, 

550  Fine  white  granular  Quartz, 

551  Reddish  granular  do 

552  do  do 

553  and  554  Gray,  do 
555  Dark  gray,                        do 


Heath. 
Plainfield. 
Saddle  Mountain. 

I  Gill. 


> 


Guilford,  Vt. 
Cumberland,  R.  Island*. 
Berkshire  Connty. 
Cheshire. 
Pittsfield. 
Windsor. 


Conway. 
Amherst. 
in  argillaceous  slate, 


556,  557  and  558  Arenaceous  disintegating  Quartz,         Cheshire. 

559  Granular  Quartz,  striped, 

560  Hyaline  dark  smoky  Quartz, 

561  do  do 
5»2         do         light  smoky,    do 
563  Reddish  compact  Quartz, 
&64                  do                do 

565  Bluish  compact  quartz, 

566  Greenish  do 

567  Porous  Quartz  (Buhrstone) 


Pelham. 


Pelham. 
Lee. 

Pittsfield. 

New  Salem- 


Guilford,  Vt. 
Sterling. 
Leverett. 
Prescott. 
Amherst. 
Cumberland,  R.  Island. 

-v— »~  v~ „„.„. „—,          Washington. 

56s  Arenaceous  Quartz  with  actynolite  associated  with  gneiss, 
569  Gray  fine  granular  quartz,  Cumberland  R.  Island. 

j^O     do  do  Framingham. 

5*1  Gray  hyaline  or  coarsely  granular  quartz  with  feldspar. 
072  Light  gray  granular  Quartz  with  small  scales  of  mica, 

do  do    stratified  (Buhrstone  locality) 

574  The  same  with  more  mica  and  contorted  folia,  Lee. 

575  Gray  hyaline  quartz  with  mica  ;  associated  with  gneiss, 

576  Brecciated  particolored  quartz  with  mica,  Amherst. 

577  Rhomboidal  quartz  with  mica,  Northfield. 
578,  579  and  580  Ccmpact  gray  quartz  with  mica,      Bernards  ton. 

581  Quartz  and  talc, 

582  and  583    do 

584  Quartz  with  Actynolite  connected  with  gneiss, 

585  do  with  crystals  of  hornblende, 

586  Argillaceous  slate  with  quartz  veins, 

587  Quartz  granular  and  mica  connected  with  gneiss,         Windsor. 

588  do  Webster. 

589  do    associated  with  gneiss,  Mendon. 

590  do  Webster. 

591  do  under  the  Buhrstone,  Pittsfield. 

592  do  Dalton. 

593  Quartz  mica  and  feldspar  passing  into  gneiss,         Bernardston. 

594  Quartz  and  mica,  Framingham. 

595  do  Cumberland,  R.  Island. 

596  do  passing  into  mica  slate,  Zoar  at  the  Bridge. 

597  Arenaceous  quartz  and  mica,  Plainfield. 

598  Quartz  and  mica  vescicular,  Chesterfield. 

599  do  Conway. 

600  Quartz  mica  and  feldspar  passing  into  gneiss,         Mendon. 

601  Quartz  with  argillaceous  slate  near  the  lime  bed,          Bernardston. 

602  Brecciated  Quartz,  Leverett. 

603  do  Amherst. 
604,  605  and  606  do     cement  hematitic  iron,                      Dalton, 

do    cement  iron  ?  Amherst. 

608  do  quartz  and  micaceous  slate,  Williamsburgb. 


Webster. 
Hawley. 
Pelham. 
Hawley. 
S.  Hadley  Canal. 


Catalogue  of  Specimens.  663 

609  Quartzose  Conglomerate  (bowlder.)  cement  mica  slate.        Windsor. 

610  do  'do  do  Adams. 

611  Quartz  with  disseminated  iron  pyrites,  Windsor. 

612  do     ferruginous,    bowlder,         Worthington. 

613  do    passing  into  yellow  jasper,        Chesterfield. 

Mica  Slate. 


614 

Mica  Slate,  common,  quartz  laminar,  mica  scaly  shining,     Colrain. 

615 

do               do                     do 

do                  reru. 

616 

do               do                     do 

do                 Blanford. 

617 

do              do                    do 

do            Smithfield.  R.  I. 

618 

do              do                    do 

do                  Shelburne. 

619 

do              do                    do 

do                  Florida. 

620 

do              do                    do 

do                  Framinghain. 

621 

do              do                    do 

do                  Cheshire. 

622, 

623    do                      of  a  fibrous  aspect, 

Northfield. 

624 

do               do                    do 

do        West  Stockbridge. 

625 

do  very  even  and  shining 

do        Bolton,  Ct. 

626 

do  layers  tortuous,quartz  tuberculous 

\              Stockbridge. 

627 

do             do  feldspar  and  quartz  tuber,  passing  to  gneiss,    Pittsfield. 

628 

do  with  feldspar  passing  to  gneiss,  mica  shining,       Colrain. 

629 

do           do                         do 

do                    Westfield. 

630 

do           do                         do 

do                     Lever  ett. 

631 

do           do                         do 

do                    Montague. 

632 

do           do                         do 

do                    Granville. 

633 

do       '    do                         do 

do                            do 

634 

do           do                         do 

do                    Florida. 

635 

do           do                         do 

do                    Ware. 

636 

do           do                         do 

do          Wachusett,  Princeton. 

637 

Talco-micaceous  Slate, 

Enfield. 

638 

do 

Saddle  Monutain. 

639 

do 

Florida. 

640 

do 

West  Stockbridge. 

641 

do 

Saddle  Mountain. 

642 
643 

Mica  Slate  amphibolic  and  garnetiferous,          Norwich, 
do                 do                 do  with  phosphate  of  lime,  Conway. 

644 

do                 do                 do 

Colrain. 

645 

do  garnetiferous, 

Chesterfield. 

646 

do  staurotidiferous 

do 

647 

do  spangled, 

Goshen. 

648 

do         do 

Plainfield. 

649 

do        do  rhomboidal, 

do 

650 

do        do 

Norwich. 

651 

Argillo-micaceous  Slate, 

Goshen. 

652 

do     with  seams  transverse  to  the  layers,  Greenfield. 

653 

do  rhomboidal, 

do 

654 

do 

Charlemont. 

655 

do 

Hawley. 

656 

do 

Heath.  • 

657 

do 

Lanesborough. 

658 

do  glazed,  with  quartz, 

Glen,  Leyden. 

659 

do        do  contorted, 

Guilford  Vt. 

660 

do 

Hancock. 

661 

do  with  undulating  surface, 

Bradford. 

662 

do  contorted  with  layers  of  quartz,      Guilford  Vt. 

663 

do                        do 

Whately. 

664 

do                        do 

Guilford  Vt. 

665 

do 

Bernardston. 

664 


Appendix. 


666 

667 

668 

669 

670 

671 

672 

673 

674 

675 

676 

677 

678 

679,  680 

681 

682 

683 

684 

685 


Argillo-micaceous  slate,  contorted  with  layers  of  quartz,  Williamstown. 

do  Saddle  Mountain. 

Arenaceous  Mica  Slate,     '  Norwich. 


do     passing  into  gneiss 


Bolton. 


do  mostly  quartz,  argentine  locality,  West  Hampton, 
do  Norwich. 

Chesterfield. 
Chester. 
Norwich. 
Cumberland,  JR.  I. 

Chester. 

Enfield. 

Chester. 

Enfield. 

Norwich. 

Sherburne. 

Halifax,  Vt. 

Greenfield. 


687 


do  vescicular  (see  No,  598) 
do 
do 
Arenaceous  Mica  Slate,  Woonsocket  Falls, 

do 

do  with  feldspar, 

do 

do  whetstone  slate, 

do  do 

do 

do  used  for  monuments. 

do 

do  with  seams  oblique  to  the 

surface  of  the  layers,  Deerfield. 

do  do 

Argillo  arenaceous  Slate,  reddish,  at  the  junction  with 


Glen,  Leyden. 

688, 689, 690,                        do  bent,  do 

691     Arenaceous  Mica  slate,  Worcester. 

692,  693                    do        anthracite  locality,  do 

694                            do  with  a  talcose  aspect,  do 

695, 696, 697          do  do 

698                            do  with  veins  of  granite,  Lunenburg. 

699,  700                   do  mostly  quartz,  Groton. 

701  Talco  arenaceous  slate — bowlder,  Worcester. 

702  Arenaceous  Mica  Slate,  Dracut. 

703  do  passing  into  clay  slate,  Worcester. 

704  do  talcose,  Lowell. 

705  do  Methuen. 
V06                            do  mostly  quartz,  Worcester. 

707  do  Andover  Bridge. 

708  do  with  veins  of  quartz,  Worcester. 

709  do  S.  Hampton,  N.  Hampton. 

710  do  East  Sudbury. 

711  do  Webster. 

712  do  Oxford. 

713  Plumbaginous  Mica  Slate,  contorted,  Worcester. 

714  do  Ward, 

715  do  Amesbury. 

716  Brecciated  Mica  Slate,  do 

717  Anthracitous  Mica  slate,  Dudley. 

718  719                        do        anthracite  locality,  Worcester. 
720    Plumbaginous  Mica  Slate,  Hawley. 

do  South  Hampton, 

722    Mica  Slate,  mica  and  quartz,  laminar,         Northfield,  west  of  Ct.  River, 

do                                     do  Conway, 
do  conglomerated  passing  into  sienite,      Whately. 

725    Indurated  mica  slate,  do 
726,  727    Augite  Rock  associated  with  mica  slate,  Williamsburg. 

728  Phosphate  of  Lime  in  mica  slate,  Norwich. 

729  Fluate  of  Lime,  Westmoreland,  N.  H. 

730  White  milky  quartz,  Warwick. 


Catalogue  of  Specimens.  665 

731  Fetid  hyaline  quartz,  Goshen. 

732  Fetid  quartz,  crystallized,  Williamsburgh. 
733,  734     Rose  red  quartz,    '  Blanford. 

735  do  Chelmsford. 

736  Yellow  hyaline  quartz,.  Colerain. 
736     Blood  red                do  do 
737,  738,  739,  740,  741,  742,  743,  744,  Quartzose 

brecciagate,  Conway. 

745  do  Amherst. 

746  Tabular  or  foliated  quartz,  Conway. 

747  do  with  a  pseudomorphous  aspect,  do 

748  Yellow  quartz,  Amherst 

749  Fibrolite  in  Mica  slate,  Lancaster.      * 

750  Sappare  with  phosphate  of  lime,  Chesterfield. 
751,752     do  do 

753  do  Chester. 

754  Siaurotide  in  mica  slate,  Chesterfield. 
755, 756     Andalusite,  crystallized,                           Westford. 

757  Fibrous  Talc?  associated  with  andalusite,         do 

758  Schorl  in  quartz,  Blanford. 
759,  760     Garnets  ia  mica  slate,  Chesterfield. 

761  Crystallized  Epidote  in  amphibdlic  mica  slate,  Goshen. 

762  do"  do  Williamsburgh. 

763  Zoisite  ?  with  specular  oxide  of  iron  and  carbonate  of  lime,  Goshen. 

764  do  quartz  Chesterfield. 

765  Idocrase  epidote  calcareous  spar  &c.  Worcester. 

766  Anthrophyllite  in  mica  slate,  Chesterfield. 
767,  768         do  Blanford. 

769  Cummingtonite  quartz  and  garnets,  Warwick. 

770  do  Cummington. 

771  Black  mica.  Westfield. 

772  do  Norwich. 

773  Fibrous  Talc  ?  Blanford. 

774  Anthracite  from  mica  slate  (coal  mine)  Worcester. 

775  Plumbago  ;  or  anthracite  passing  into  plumbago,  do 

*  1549  Amianthus,  at  the  anthracite  mine,  do 

*  1550  Bucholrite  ?  do 

776  Red  oxide  of  iron  from  the  vein  of  manganese,  Conway. 

777  Oxide  of  manganese,  do 

778  do  with  siliceous  sinter,  Amherst. 

*  1027     Ferro-silicate  of  Manganese,  Hinsdale. 

779  Micaceous  Oxide  of  iron,  Montague. 

780  Arsenical  Iron,  Worcester. 

781  Crystallized  Arsenical  Sulphuret  of  iron,  do 

782  Massive,  do  do 

783  Carbonate  of  iron,  do 

784  do  Sterling. 

*  I  found  these  two  minerals  at  the  anthracite  locality  in  Worcester,  only  a 
few  days  before  the  printing  of  this  catalogue,  and  after  the  Scientific  Part  of 
my  Report  was  through  the  press.  The  amianthus  is  very  delicate  and  occurs 
in  abundance.  If  the  other  fibous  mineral  be  not  Bucholrite,  1  am  unacquain- 
ted with  it.  Before  the  common  blowpipe  it  is  infusible.  Bucholrite  is  now 
I  believe,  generally  regarded  as  a  variety  of  fibrolite.  This  specimen,  however 
differs  considerably  in  appearance  from  the  fibrolite  of  Lancaster  ;  but  very 
much  resembles  the  Bucholrite  reccently  found  in  Delaware. 


666 


Appendix. 


785  do         with  pyritous  copper,  Sterling 

786  Galena  and  blende,  do 

787  Reddish  sulphuret  of  Zinc,  do 

788  Red  Oxide  of  Titanium,  Conway. 

Talcose  Slate. 


789  Scaly  greenish  Talc,  serpentine  locality, 

790  do  near  the  steatite, 

791  Foilated  light  green  do 

792  do 

793  do 

794  Green  steatite  or  nearly  compact  talc, 

795  Steatite  with  rhomb  spar, 

796  do 

797  do    with  bitter  spar, 

798  do  with  brown  spar, 

799  do 

800  do  bored  for  aqueduct  pipe, 

801  do  very  fine, 

802  do 

803  do 


*403  and  1548     do  from  Gneiss, 


Worcester. 


804  do  asbestus, 

805  do  passing-  into  serpentine, 

806  Between  steatite  and  chlorite  form  a  bowlder 

originally  from  Whiting-ham  Vt. 

807  Dark  green  scaly  chlorite  with  feldspar 

808  Finer  grained,  do 

809  Slaty  Chlorite, 

810  do  with  the  steatite. 

811  Chlorite  Slate, 

812  do  with  red  oxide  of  titanium  and  feldspar, 

813  Talco-chloritic  Slate, 

814  do 

815  do  epidotic, 

816  do         do  and  passing  into  hornblende  slate, 

817  Talcose  Slate— talc  and  quartz, 

818  do  do  nearly  white, 
819, 820        do  .     do        do 

821  do  do  greenish  soapstone  quarry, 

822  do  do        do 

823  do  do  whetstone  quarry. 

824  do  do 

825  do  do 

826  Talcose  Slate,  talc,  quartz,  and  mica, 

827  do  do 

828  do  do 

829  do  do 


Westfield. 

Middlefield. 

Howe.' 

Middlefield. 

Windsor. 

Zoar. 

do 
Windsor,N.W.  part. 

do  N.  E.  part. 
Smithfield,  R.  I. 
Middlefield. 
Grafton,  Vt. 
Blanford. 
Somers,  Ct. 
Groton, 

New  Salem, 
do 


>  Conway. 


830,  831     do 

832     Talc  and  Limestone, 


do 


Cummington. 
Goshen. 

Smithfield  R.  I. 

Middlefield. 

Peru.  *. 

Windsor. 

Little  Comptou,  R.  I. 

Smithfield  R.  I. 

Cumberland  R.  1. 

Smithfield  R.  1. 

Little  Compton  R.  I. 

Stafford. 

Hawley. 

Middlefield. 

Plainfield. 

Smithfield. 

Florida. 

Lenox, 
Hawley. 

Iron  Mine,  Somerset,  Vt. 
east  side  of  serpentine,  Chester. 
Barre. 
Rowe. 
Whiting-ham,  Vt. 


*  I  was  not  apprised  of  the  existence  of  steatite  in  Worcester  till  it  was  too  late 
to  notice  it  in  the  proper  place.  Although  I  have  not  visited  the  spot,  I  have  rea- 
son to  believe  that  it  occurs  in  gneiss,  in  the  southeast  part  of  the  town.  The 
owners  informed  me  that  they  had  penetrated  the  bed  as  yet  only  about  five  feet- 
The  specimens  will  show  that  it  is  the  handsomest  steatite  in  the  State  yet  discov- 
ered: and  should  the  bed  prove  to  be  a  large  one,  its  situation  near  the  Blackstone. 
Canal,  will  render  it  of  high  value. 

Worcester  ought  also  to  be  mentioned  among  the  towns  that  abound  in  peat. 


Catalogue  of  Specimens.  667 

833  Talc,  quartz,  and  Carbonate  of  Iron,  Hawley. 

834  Quartz  with  Hydrate  of  Iron,  do 

835  Talc,  Quartz,  and  Hornblende,  do 

836  do  Charlemont. 
837,  838,  839           do  Hawley. 

840  Talc,  Quartz,  and  Feldspar,  Smithfield,  R.  I. 

841  do  porphyritic,  Hawley. 

842  Talcose  Slate,  with  octohedral  oxide  of  Iron,         Hawley. 

843  do  do  Blanford. 

844  Micaceous  Oxide  of  Iron,  Hawley. 

845  Mag-.  Ox.  Iron,  Native  Mag-net,  Somerset,  Vt. 

846  do  with  ferro-silicate  of  mang-anese,         Cumberland,    R.  I. 

847  do  porphyritic  with  crystals  of  feldspar,  do 

848  Porous  quartz  with  hydrate  of  iron,  gangue  of  gold,  Somerset,  Vt. 
849,  850        do          in  talcose  slate,  with          do  )  Virginia 

Put  in  the  collection  for  comparison.  $ 

851  Gray  Oxide  of  Mang-anese,  Plainfield. 

852  Bisilicate  of  Mang-anese,  Cumming-ton. 

853  White  bitter  spar,  Middlefield,  Soapstone  Quarry. 

854  do  with  green  foliated  talc,  do 

855  Salmon  colored  do,  do  do 

856  Miasite,  Zoar. 

857  do  ?  do 

858  Picrosmene  1          do 

859  Asbestus,  Pelham. 

860  do  Blanford. 

861  do  Shutesbury. 

862  Tremolite,  probably  from  Soapstone  Quarry,     Middlefield. 

863  Fibrous  Hornblende  in  Quartz,  Plainfield. 
864,  865    Fasciculite  in  talcose  slate,  do 

866  Crystallized  Actynolite,  in  talc,         Blandford. 

867  do  Windsor. 

868  do  from  Soapstone  Quarry,  Blanford. 

869  do  radiated,  do  do 

Serpentine. 

870  Compact  noble  Serpentine,  polished,  Lime  Quarry,  Newbury. 

871  do  with  massive  g-arnet,  polished,  do 

872  do  with  green  amianthus,  do 

873  Common  Serpentine,  compact,  Newbury. 

874  do  do  Chester,  west  part. 

875  do  do        polished,       Middlefield. 

876  do  slaty,  Chester,  West  part. 

877  do  with  grains  of  chromate  of  iron,     Windsor,  N.  E.  part. 

878  do  do       N.  W.  part. 

879  do  in  place,  Blanford. 

880  do  a  bowlder,  do 

881  Black  compact  Serpentine,  Newport,  R.  I. 

882  Variegated  do  do 

883  Dark  green  compact  do,  a  bowlder,  Leverett. 

884  Dark  gray  compact  do  Lime  Quarry,  Chelmsford. 

885  Dark  green  do  with. veins  of  amianthus  and  Deweylite  ?     Russell. 
886,  887     Compact  do  with  a  talcose  glazing,         Zoar. 

888, 889     Serpentine  steatite  and  brown  spar,         do 

890    Black  do  and  talc,  or  talc  passing  into  serpentine,  New  Salem, 

do  and  do     polished,         Pelham. 

892     Dark  green  do  with  do         do  Blanford. 

Black  do  with  do  and  actynolite,  Westfield. 

894  Light  green  compact  do  with  schiller  spar  ?  polished,         Russell. 

895  Black  compact          do  with  talc,  do  and  calcareous  spar,  polished,  Granville. 


668 


Appendix. 


\ 
,  $ 


896,  897,  898    Serpentine  and  carbonate  of  lime, 

(Ophicalce  grcnue,  Al.  Brongn.)  polished, 
Serpentine  and  carbonate  of  lime,  Westfield. 

Compact  Feldspar,  Lime  Quarry,  Newbury. 

Compact  Scapolite  1  resembling-  petalite,  Westfield. 


899 
900 
901 
902 
903 
904 
909 
906 
907 
908 
909 
910 
911 
912 
913 


Mamillary  Chalcedony, 
Yellow  Jasper, 
Chalcedony  1 
Drusy  Quartz, 
Satin  Spar, 
Tremolite, 
Mussite, 

Massive  Garnet  1 
Actynolite, 

do        resembling-  asbestus, 
Chromate  of  Iron,  massive, 


Blanford. 
Middlefield. 
do 
do 
Lime  Quarry,  Newbury. 

do  do 

Blanford. 
Westfield. 
do 

Westfield. 
Blanford. 


do 


in  Serpentine, 


do 


Hornblende  Slate. 


914 

Lamellar  black  Hornblende  (hornblende  rock,) 

Granville. 

915 

do 

Belchertown. 

916 

do 

with  garnets, 

Norwich. 

917 

do 

Belchertown. 

918 

Finer          do 

(hornblende  slate,) 

South  Hadley  Canal. 

919 

Fibrous  Hornblende, 

do 

Enfield. 

920 

Somewhat  granular 

do 

do 

Middlefield. 

921 

Fibrous  hornblende, 

Leverett. 

922 

do  ,          do 

Florida. 

923 
924 

Compact     do 
do            do 

(greenstone  slate,) 
do 

Lincoln. 
Smithfield,  R.  I. 

925 

do            do 

do 

Marlborough. 

926 
927 

'Fibrous       do 
do            do 

(hornblende  slate,) 
do 

Shelburne. 
Banks  of  Merrimack  R. 

928 

do            do 

do 

Whately. 

929    Hornblende  and  Feldspar, 

Sudbury. 

930 
931 
932 
933 
934 

do 
do 
do 
do 
do 

do 
da 
do 
do 
do 

(hornblende  slate,)          Bernardston. 
rhomboidal,  (primitive  greenstone,)    Whately. 
(hornblende  slate,)                  Ware, 
compact,  (transition  greenstone,)  Smithfield,  K.  I. 
not  slaty,  (primitive  greenstone,) 

935 

Quartz  and  feldspar, 

a  vein 

in  primitive  greensl 

;one, 

936,  937,  938    Hornblende  and  Feldspar,  (primitive  greenstone  some-  J  Wnateiy> 

what  columnar,  $ 

939,  940    Hornblende*and  Feldspar,  coarsely  granular,  (hornblende  >  Ware 

slate,)         S 

do         chiefly  hornblende,  (hornblende  slate,)  Mouth  of  Miller's  R. 
do        feldspar  in  distinct  layers,      do  Dana; 

Hornblende,  Feldspar,  and  Mica,  Plumbago  Mine,  Sturbndge. 


941 
942 
943 
944. 
945 
946 
947 
948 

949 
950 
951 
952 
953 
954 


Heath. 

South  Hadley  Canal. 

Amherst. 
Whately. 


do  porphyritic.  (smoothed,) 

do  do         (bowlder,) 

do  do                 do 

do  and  compact  feldspar, 

do  and  feldspar,  the  latter  compact 

and  with  a  crystalline  form, 

do  do    "                              Canton. 

do  do?                                 Plymouth. 

do  do                                   Whately. 

do  and  Quartz,  with  a  vein,              Becket. 

do  do           with  a  vein  of  graphic  granite,     Wilhamsburg. 

do  do                                           Shelburne  Falls. 


Catalogue  of  Specimens.  669 

955  do  do      with  a  vein  of  quartz,  Warwick. 

956  do  do          hornblende  fibrous,  Hawley. 

957  do  do  and  feldspar,  the  hornblende  fascicular,     Conway. 
95g  Hornblende,  Feldspar,  and  Mica,  Amherst. 

959  do  with  augite,  Becket. 

960  do  Stow. 

961  do  passing1  into  sienite,     Dracut. 
962, 963                     do                     with  granite,  Leverett. 
9G4     Hornblende  and  Epidote,  Granville. 
9G4  1-2                     do    •    in  contact  with  serpentine,  Blan ford. 

965  do         rhomboidal,  Whately. 

966  Crystalized  feldspar  in  hornblende  slate,  do 

967  Hornblende  and  Chlorite,  do 

968  Actynolite  Slate  —  actynolite  quartz  and  feldspar,     Shutesbury. 

969  do  Belchertown. 

970  Hornblende  Slate,  with  a  layer  of  epidote,  Pelham. 

971  Crystals  of  Hornblende  in  hornblende  slate,  do 

Gneiss. 

972  Granitic  Gneiss,  Pelham. 

973  do  Templeton. 

974  do  Brookneld. 

975  do  New  Braintree. 

976  do  Pelham. 

977  do  Paxton. 

978  do  Petersham. 

979  do         granular,    Monson. 

980  do  Athol. 

981  do  Princeton. 

982  do  Blanford. 

983  Sienitic  Gneiss  —  Gneiss  with  Hornblende,  Mendon. 

984  Granitic  Gneiss?  texture  some  what  mechanical,        Bolton. 

985  do  Worcester. 

986  do  do  N   JU 

987  do  chiefly  flesh  colored  feldspar  and  granite,         Sudbury. 

988  do  slightly  talcose,  North  Brookfield. 

989  do  somewhat  schistose,  Rochester. 

990  do  do  Oxford. 

991  do  Sudbury. 
993  do  (smoothed,)  Billerica. 

993  Schistose  Gneiss,  Dudley. 

994  do  Purgatory,  Sutton. 
905                 do       granular,  Wilbraham. 

996  do  Mouth  of  Miller's  River,  Montague. 

997  do  Buckland. 

998  do  Shelburne  Falls. 

999  do  A  mherst. 

1000  do  mica  predominating,  New  Bedford. 

1001  do  passing  into  mica  slate,         Worcester. 

1002  do  do  Paxton. 

1003  do  do  Hardwick. 

1004  do  Pelham. 

1005  do  feldspar  in  tuberculous  masses,     Worcester. 

1006  Junction  of  granitic  gneiss  and  mica  slate,          dc 

1007  Schistose  Gneiss,         Westborough. 

1008  do  passing  into  mica  slate,  (bowlder,)         Colrain. 

1009  do  Windsor. 

1010  do  feldspar  gray,         Little  Compton,  R.  I. 

1011  do  Monson. 

1012  do  chiefly  feldspar,     Oxford,  Eastpart. 

1013  do  Florida. 

85 


670  Appendix. 

1014  Schistose  Gneiss,  passing  into  mica  slate  with  pyrope,     Western, 

1015  do  do                                 Shrewsbury. 

1016  do  western  base  of  Wachusett,  Princeton. 

1017  do  Grafton. 

1018  do  Charlton. 

1019  do  somewhat  porphyritic,     Harvard. 

1020  do  talcoscl                     Framing-ham. 

1021  do  do?                      Leverett. 

1022  do  do     with  veins  of  chlorite,       Bolton. 

1023  Laminar  Gneiss,  Windsor. 

1024  do  Webster,  west  part. 

1025  do  ,        Amherst. 

1026  do  Grafton. 

1027  See  the  No.  following  No.  778. 
1028,  1029     Laminar  Gneiss,         Pelham. 

1030  do  Norfolk,  Con. 

1031  do  feldspar,  hornblende  and  slate  interlaminated,  Enfield. 

1032  do  do                                   Warwick. 

1033  do  Savoy. 

1034  do  Windsor. 

1035  do  Dalton. 

1036  do  Becket. 

1037  do  with  a  vein  of  granite,         Pelham. 
1038,  1039                  do                Douglas. 

1040  do        becoming  porphyritic,         Ward. 

1041  Porphyritic  Gneiss,  Pelham. 

1042  do  feldspar,  flesh  colored,         Amherst. 

1043  do  with  epidote,  (smoothed,)    Pelham. 

1044  do  coarse,                                    New  Braintree. 
1045,  1046           do                do                                        Ware. 

1047  do  Methuen. 

1048  do  scarcely  porphyritic,             Paxton. 

1049  do  Montague. 

1050  do  passing  into  schistose,           Tolland. 

1051  Amphibolic  Gneiss,  containing  disseminated  >  jyjontap.ue< 

masses  of  hornblende,      \ 

1052  do  Leverett. 

1053  do  Enfield. 

1054  do  Pelham. 

1055  Epidotic  Gneiss,         Amherst. 

1056  '  do                    Pelham. 

1057  do  Amherst. 

1058  do  Grafton. 

1059  do  Amherst. 

1060  do  1  Duxbury. 

1061  do?  containing  compact  feldspar,         Duxbury. 
1062—1065     Angitic  Gneiss,         Lee. 

1066,  1067     Anthophyllitic  Gneiss,         EnfieJd. 

1068  Arenaceous  Gneiss,                         Southbridge. 

1069,  1070         do?                                      Smithfield,  R.  I. 

1071  Talcose  Gneiss,  do 

1072  Gneiss  with  a  serpentine  granite  vein,     Enfield. 

1073  Plumbago,  the  common  variety,  Sturbridge. 

1074  do         apparrently  fibrous,  do 

1075  do         partially  crystalline,  do 

1076  Fuller's  earth  ?     In  the  Plumbago  mine,         do 

1077  Hydrate  of  Iron,  (bogore)  in  do  do 

1078  do  do         in  gneiss,          North  Brookfield. 

1079  Garnet  and  Sulphuret  of  Molybdenum  in  gneiss,  do 


Catalogue  of  Specimens- 


671 


1080  Native  Alum  and  Sulphate  of  Iron  on  gneiss,     Leominster. 

1081  do  do  Barre. 

1082  Pyrope  Garnet  in  gneiss,  New  Braintree. 

1083  do        with  adularia,       Brimfield. 

1084  do         in  gneiss  passing  into  mica  slate,         Norwich,  Con. 

1085  Crystalized  feldspar  in  gneiss,         Boxborough. 

1086  Green  Adularia,  with  mica  (polished)     Southbridge. 
1087,  1088     Adularia,         Brimfield. 

1089,  1090     Schorl  in  quartz  from  gneiss, 


Pelham. 

Lee. 

do 


1091  Crystalized  Sphene  in  augitic  gneiss, 

1092  Crystalized  augite  and  scapolite  (?) 
1093,  1094     Sulphuret  of  Iron,         Hubbardston. 

1095  Peliom  ?  and  pyrites,  do 

1096  Magnetic  Oxide  of  Iron  in  gneiss,         Grafton. 

1097,  1098,  1099     Crystalized  and  Drusy  Quartz,         Pelham. 

1100  Radiated  Quartz,         Pelham. 

1101  Amethystine,  do  do 

1102  Bluish  Mamillary  Chalcedony  in  gneiss,        Pelham. 

1103  Breccia  Agate,  (polished,)  Rochester. 

1104  Gray  Copper,  perhaps  from  gneiss,          Brimfield  ? 

1105  Actynolite  in  feldspar,          Chelmsford. 


1120 


UNSTRATIFIED    ROCKS. 

Greenstone. 


1106 

Common  Greenstone,  hornblende  and  feldspar, 

Sunderland. 

1107 

do                                        do 

Deerfield. 

1108 

do                                       do 

Mt.  Holyoke. 

1109 

do                                        do 

Turner's  Falls. 

1110 

do                                       do 

Mt.  Tom. 

1111 

do  (Primary  greenstone,)  do 

Pelham. 

1112 

do                                        do     epidotic, 

Chelsea. 

1113 

do  approaching  to  sienite  do 

Newburyport. 

1114 

do                                        do 

Lexington. 

1115 

do  approaching  to  sienite  do 

Holliston. 

1116 

do                   do                 do 

Concord. 

1117 

See  the  No.  following  1205. 

1118 

Common  Greenstone,  epidotic,       do 

Waltham. 

1119 

do                                        do 

Nahant. 

do 


1121     Coarse  Greenstone  passing  into  sienite,  hornblende  and  feldspar,  do 
1J22  Greenstone  passing  into  sienite,  coarse,  (a  bowlder)  West  Springfiield. 


1123 
1124 
1125 
1126 
1127 

1128 
1129 
1130 
1131 
1132 
1133 
1134 
J135 


do 
do 
do 
do 


do 
do 
do 
do 


Holliston. 
Dover. 
Stoughton. 
Easton. 


do  the  feldspar  in  bronze  coloured  folia  of  con-  >  -yyest  g  rino-field 

Mt.  Holyoke. 


do 


do 


do  the  ingredients  distinguished  with  difficulty, 
do  do 

do  passing  into  sienite,  Blue  Hills, 

do  Quincy. 

do  from  a  vein  in  gneiss,  Rutland, 

do  Nahant. 

do  from  a  vein  in  gneiss,  Montague. 


Hingham. 
Newton. 


672  Appendix. 

1136  Columnar  Greenstone,  4  sided  prism,  Mt.  Holyoke. 

1137  do  5  sided  prism,          do. 

1138  do  3  sided  prism,         do 

1139  Curved  exfoliation  from  a  column,  do 

1140  Compact  Greenstone,  the  ingredients  indistinct,  Nahant. 

1141  do  Blue  Hills. 

1142  do     a  bowlder,  Framingham. 

1143  do     from  a  vein  in  granite,  Foxborough. 

1 144  Chiefly  greenish  compact  feldspar  ?         Salisbury. 

1145  do  Rowley. 
1146,  H47,  1149,  1150  do                                   Dedham. 
1148  Indurated  Clay,      Titan's  Pier,                S.  Hadley. 

1151  Common  Greenstone  with  reddish  carbonate  of  lime,     Deerfield. 
1152 — H55  Hornblende,  Augite  ?     Feldspar,  Nahant. 

1156  i*orphyritic  Greenstone,  (smoothed)  Cape  Ann. 

1157  do  Easton. 

1158  do  (smoothed)  Salem. 

1 159  do  imbedded  crystals  Tharinthin  (smoothed)  Ipswich. 

1160  do  reddish,  Turner's  Falls. 

1161  do  base  reddish,     Deerfield. 

1162  Greenstone  porphyritic  and  epidotic,  with  iron  pyrites,  Topsfield. 

1163  do  do    base  wackelike,  Turner's  Falls. 

1164  do  do  do  Deerfield 

1165  Slaty  Greenstone,  micaceous,  Reading. 

1166  Amygdaloidal  Greenstone,  nodules  calcareous,     Deerfield. 

1167  do  nodules  siliceous,  S.  Hadley  Canal. 

1168  do  nodules  calcareous,          Deerfield. 

1169  do  do  Turner's  Falls. 

1 1 70  do  cavities  empty,  loadstone,  Gill. 

1 171  do  do  do  Mount  Holyoke. 

1172  do  nodules  siliceous,  Titan's  Pier. 
H73  do  nodules  foliated  chlorite.     Turner's  Falls. 

1174  do  nodules  earthy  chlorite,       West  Springfield. 

1175  do  nodules  calcareous,  Rowley. 

1176  Concretion  from  Greenstone,  Deerfield. 

1177  do  Mount  Holyoke. 

1178  Trap  Tufa,  or  tufaceous  greenstone,  South  Hadley  Canal. 

1179  do  micaceous,  Deerfield. 

1180  do  Titan's  Pier. 

1181  do  cement  calcareous  spar,  Deerfield. 

1182  do  Northampton. 

1183  do  Mount  Torn. 

1184  do  base  reddish,  Deerfield. 

1185  Junction  of  Amygdaloid  and  sandstone,         Turner's  Falls. 

1186  Trapp  Tufa,  West  Springfield. 

1187  Nodules  of  Pretinite  in  greenstone,  Greenfield. 
1188,  1189  Chalcedony  in   do                       Deerfield. 

1190  do  do  Greenfield. 

1191  Large  Agate,  of  chalcedony  camelion  and  quartz,  Deerfield. 
1192,  1193,  Amethyst  iu  greenstone,  do 

1194  Black  Augite  do  do 

1 195  Phrenite,  Augite  and  Calcareous  Spar,  do 

1196  Pseudomophous  Quartz,  with  pretinite,  do 

1197  Calcareous  bpar  pretinite,  <3&c.  do 

1198,  1199  Chlorophocite  in  trap,  Turner's  Palls. 

1200  Lincolnite  and  chabasie  iu  greenstone,  Deerfield. 

1201  do  do  do 
do  and  chabasie                do  do 

1203,  1204  do  covering  the  surface,  do 

1205  Hadiated  minerals,  perhaps  Lincolnite,  on  greenstone,  Deerfield. 

*  H17  Crystalized  Smoky  quartz,  from  Greenstone,  West  Springfield. 


Catalogue  of  Specimens.  673 

Porphyry. 

1206  and  1207  Compact  Feldspar,  Newbury. 

1208  do  with  talc?  Sharon. 

1209  do  with  dendritic  impressions,  Medford. 

1210  do  with  quartz,  Natick. 

1211  do  somewhat  foliated,  a  vein  in  sienite,         Whately. 

1212  do  somewhat  brecciated,  Dorchester. 

1213  do  do                                     Blue  Hills. 

1214  do  a  vein  in  black  serpentine,  Newbury. 

1215  do  Nahant 

1216  do  slightly  porphyritic,  Hingham. 

1217  do  Lynn. 

1218  do  somewhat  foliated,  Natick. 

1219  do  lime  quarry,  Stoneham. 

1220  do  variegated  Medford. 

1221  do  passing  into  siliceous  slate,  Maiden. 

12322  do         do  with  a  minute  quantity  of  gold  ?     Blue  Hills. 

1223  do  red,  passing  into  porphyry,  do 

1224  do  do  Hingham. 

1225  do  do  Milton. 

1226  do  do  «     Rowley. 

1227  do  do  Ipswich. 

1228  do  do  exhibiting  traces  of  a  slaty  struc.Kents  Isl. Newbury. 

1229  and  1230  do  variegated  somewhat  foliated,                 Dedham. 

1231  Porphyry  approaching  Sienite  (polished)  Maiden. 

1232  do     with  traces  of  a  slaty  structure,  Nantasket  Beach. 

1233  do    base  purple,  (polished)   bowlder,      Orleans. 

1234  do    base  black  do                              Nantasket  Beach. 

1235  do     approaching  to  amygdaloid,         Westborough. 

1236  Between  greenstone  and  porphyry,         Ipswich. 

1237  do     porphyry  and  compact  feldspar,         Milton. 

1238  Porphyry,  Blue  Hills. 

1239  Porphyry  dark  gray,     (polished)         Blue  Hills. 

1240  do  do                 do         North  of  Boston. 

1241  do         containing  quartz  nodules  (polished),  Milton. 

1242  do        light  gray        do.  do 

1243  do         reddish,  Nastasket  Beach. 

1244  do  ?      perhaps  Varioloid  Wacke,  Newton. 

1245  do         containing  quartz  and  feldspar  crystals.     Milton. 

1246  do         red  and  green,  (smoothed)  Maiden. 

1247  do         red  with  quartz  and  feldspar  crystals,  a  bowlder,  Newport,R.I. 

1248  do        red,  Maiden. 

1249  do           do  Lynn.                                                            , 

1250  do         red  base,  Nantasket  Beach. 

1251  do  do         (polished)  Blue  Hills 

1252  do        base  red        do         North  of  Boston. 

1253  do  do               do         Nantasket  Beach. 

1254  do         greenish,        do         Maiden. 

1255  do         lively  green,  do         Milton. 

1256  do         Needham. 

1257  do         passing  into  sienite,  Maiden. 

1258  do      reddish  brown,  crystals  of  feldspar  and  quartz,  polished,  B.HilJs. 

1259  do      green,  passing  into  sienite,  (smoothed)J  Maiden. 

1260  do      base  dark  green,  crystals  feldspar  and  quartz.do  Blue  Hills. 

1261  do      variegated,  feldspar  and  quartz  crystals  do          -do 

1262  do      base  reddish,  imbedded  crystals  chiefly  quartz  do  Quincy. 

1263  do  do                                               do    '                do  Milton. 

1264  Brecciated  Porphyry,  reddish,  (polished)  Halfway  Rock,   Atlan.  Ocean* 

1265  do  (smoothed)         Lynn. 


674  Appendix. 

1266  Brecciated  Porphyry,  passing  into  graywacke,     (smoothed)  Maiden. 

1267  do  (polished)  do 

1268  do  do  Nantasket  Beach. 

1269  do  greenish,  Maiden. 

1270  do  betraying  a  former  slaty  structure,  Nantasket  Beach. 

Sienite. 

1271  Feldspar  and  Hornblende,  (smoothed)  Newbury. 

1272  do         passing  into  porphyry  do  Nahant, 

1273  do  do  Stoneham. 

1274  do        brecciated,  do  Foxborough. 

1275  do  Concord. 

1276  do  (smoothed)1'  Dover. 

1277  do  do  Reading. 

1278  do  do          Nahant. 

1279  do  Norfolk  County. 

1280  do  Rowley. 

1281  do  Hangman's  Island,  Boston  Harbor. 

1282  do         hornblende  in  distinct  crystals,  (smoothed)  Dedham. 

1283  do  do        Randolph. 

1284  do  Reading. 

1285  do  Cumberland,  R.  I 

1286  do         epidote,  Dedham. 

1287  Feldspar,  Quartz  and  Hornblende,  Salisbury. 

do  Manchester, 

do  Quincy  Granite,  Quincy. 

1290  do  do  (smoothed)  Quincy. 

1291  do  (bowlder)         Mansfield, 
do  Franklin, 
do                (smoothed)  Danvers. 

1294,  1295  do  do  Squam,  Gloucester. 

1296,  1297  do  do  Sandy  Bay,  do 

1298  do  do  Squam,         do 

do  do  North  Bridgwater. 

1300  Quartz  and  Feldspar,          do  Manchester. 

1301  do  do  Foxborough. 

1302  do  do  Easton. 

1303  do  feldspar  mostly  compact,  (smoothed)  West  Cambridge. 

1304  do  do  Hingham. 

1305  do  do  Sherburne. 

1306  do  feldspar  blood  red,  (smoothed)  a  bowlder,  Marshfield. 

1307  do  and  perhaps  hornblende  do  Scituate. 

1308  do  do  Weston. 

1309  do  Middleborough. 

1310  do  Weston. 

1311  do  Foxborough. 

1312  do  Danvers. 

1313  Feldspar  and  quartz,  the  former  compact,  Newbury. 

1314  do  and  cholorite,  the  feldsdar  red  and  greenish,  Saugus. 

1315  do  do  the  feldspar  compact  close  to 

the  jasper,  Saugus. 

1316  Passing  into  porphyry  Newbury. 

1317  do  Manchester. 
do  Maiden. 

1319  Feldspar,  Hornblende,  Quartz  and  mica,  Belchertown. 

1320  do  (smoothed)  do 

1321  do  do  Northampton. 


Catalogue  of  Minerals;  675 

1322  Feldspar,  Hornblende,  Quartz  and  Mica,  Williamsburgh. 

1323  do  Whately. 

1324  do  the  hornblende  predominating,  Northampton. 

1325  do  with  veins  oi    epidote,  Whately. 

1326  do  do 

1327  do  chiefly  feldspar,  do 

1328  do  Gloucester. 

1329  Chiefly  feldspar  and  talc  or  chlorite  with  veins  of  epidote,  Salisbury. 

1330  Feldspar,  hernblende  ?     and  mica,  (smoothed)  Medford. 

1331  do  coarse      a  bowlder,  Charlestown. 

1332  Feldspar  quartz  mica  and  perhaps  hornblende,  Fall  River,  Troy. 

1333  Chiefly  feldspar  and  mica,  Bradford. 

1334  do  with  a  little  quartz  andjiornblende,       Lincoln. 

1335  Feldspar,  hornblende,  and  mica,  Salem. 

1336  Feldspar  hornblende  and  talc,  Newbury. 

1337  Feldspar  quartz  and  mica  or  talc,  Franklin. 
1338,  1339,  1340    Granite,  sienite  and  greenetone  from 

the  same  ledge,  Stoughton. 

1341  Porphyritic  sienite,         (smoothed)  Lexington. 

1342  do  feldspar  and  quartz  with  epidote,  (smoothed)     Marblehead. 

1343  do  feldspar  bronze  colored,         do  Gloucester. 

1344  do  base  green  compact  feldspar  crystals  * 

flesh  red  foliated ;  also  quartz  and  hornblende  do    West  Bridgwater. 
1345,  1346         do  like  the  last  do  Abington. 

1347  do  Plymouth  County. 

1348  do  feldspar  quartz  mica  and  hornblende,      Essex. 

1349  Porphyritic  Sienite  passing  to  porphyritic  greenstone, 

the  crystals  nearly  compact.  Waltham. 

1350  Conglomerated  Sienite,  Whately. 

1351  do  do 

1352  do  do 

1353  do  do 

1354  Junction  of  two  varieties  of  sienite,  West  Bridgwater. 

1355  Vein  of   graphic  granite  in  sienite,  Belchertown. 

1356  Vein  of  nearly  compact  feldspar  in  sienite,  Southborough. 

1357  Irregular  vein  of  granite  in  sienite,  Northampton? 

1358  Vein  of  compact  greenstone  in  sienite,  Nahant. 

1359  Veins  of  feldspar  in  sienite,  Marblehead. 

1360  Vein  of  compact  epidote  in  sienite,  Abington. 

1361  Vein  of  red  feldspar  in  sienite,  Whately. 

1362  Augite,  hornblende  and  feldspar,  Belchertown. 

1363  Augite  and  feldspar-the  latter  almost  compact,         Amherst. 

1364  Sulphate  of  baryta,  Hatfield. 

1365  Purple  fluate  of  Lime  in  sienite,  Cumberland,  R.  L 
1366,  1367,  1368     Drusy  crystallized  Quartz,  Whately. 

1369  do  with  singular  cavities,  do 

1370  Arsenical  Iron  in  quartz  from  sienite,  Newbury. 

1371  Galena  and  Blende  in  sulphate  of  baryta,  Hatfield. 

Granite. 

1372  Feldspar,  Quartz  and  mica,  common  granite,  coarse,  Russell. 

1373  do  do  do  Westhampton. 

1374  do  do  do  S.  Hampton,  adit. 

1375  do  do  do  Leverett. 
1376,  1377  do  do  do  Amherst. 

1378  do  do  do     Granville. 

1379  do  quartz  blue,       do  do     Amherst. 

1380  do  chiefly  quartz  and  mica,  do     Westford. 


676  Appendix. 

1381  Feldspar,  Quartz  and  Mica,  chiefly  quartz  and  mica,  Amherst. 

1382  do  do  do    Mouth  of  Miller's 

[River. 

do  do  do     Framingham. 

do  feldspar  flesh  colored,  do     Blanford. 

1385  Feldspar  Quartz  and  Mica,  Common  Granite,  coarse,  feldspar  red, 

Granville. 

1386  do  do  do        do     Amherst. 
138^                        do                            do  do        do     New  Salem. 
138^                        do                            do                            do        do    Concord. 
1389                         do  quartz  yellow    do  do  Williamsburgh. 
139°                        do  mica  yellow,     do                            do          Chesterfield. 

1391  do  do  do  Norwich. 

1392  do  in  bowlders  —  do  easily  decomposing,  Florida. 

1393  do     do  quartz  dark  gray  inclining  to  purple,  Adams. 

1394  do     do  feldspar  greenish  and  quartz  purplish,  Florida. 

1395  do  mica  green,  coarse,  Cummington. 

1396  do  quartz  smoke  gray,  do  Leverett. 

1397  do  feldspar  bluish,  do  do 

1398  do  feldspar  blue,  do  do 

1399  do  feldspar  nearly  compact,      do  Heath. 

1400  do  do  do  Amherst. 

1401  do  (gneiss  ?)  do  Ashburnham. 

1402  do  of  a  mechanical  aspect,         do  Granville. 

1403  do  ingredients  dark  gray  do  Fall  River. 

1404  do  (gneiss  ?)  do  Leominster. 

1405  do  do  Smithfield,  R.  I. 

1406  do  passing  into  sienite,  rather  fine,  Bristol  R.  I. 

1407  do  junction  of  coarse  and  fine  grained,  Williamsburgh. 

1408  do  (gneiss?)  Top  of  Wachus- 

[ett,  Mt. 

1409  Quartz  and  mica,  coarse,  Westfield. 
1410,  1411,  1412    Quartz  mica  and  feldspar,  red  granite,  fine  grained,  bowlder, 

[South  Hadley. 

1413  do  feldspar  red,  (smoothed)  Falmouth. 

1414  do  do  do  Rochester. 

1415  do  do  do  Wareham. 

1416  do  reddish  gray          do  Framing-ham. 
1417,  1418  do  mica  black,  fine  grained,  Cumberland.R.I.  N.E.  part. 

1419  do  perhaps  sienite,   do  (smoothed)  Medfield. 

1420  do  rather  fine  grained,  Carver. 

1421  Feldspar,  Quartz  and  mica  or  Talc     do  Weston. 

1422  do  do  Eastern  part  of 

the  State. 

1423  Feldspar,  Quartz,  and  Mica,  bowlder,  fine  grained,          Adams. 

1424  do  feldspar  purplish,  Belchertown. 

1425  do  evidently  recomposed  from  a  vein,          Westfield. 

1426  Feldspar  Quartz  and  Mica,  fine  grained  quarried,  Ashburnham. 

1427  do  with  small  garnets  Acton. 

1428  do  fine  grained,  Whately. 

1429  do  do  Conway. 

1430  do  do  Holliston. 

1431  do         chiefly  quartz  and  feldspar,  Dedham. 

1432  do  do  Chester. 

1433  do  feldspar  mostly  foliated,  gray,  but  some 

of  it  compact  and  greenish,  quartz  gray  approaching 

to  granular,  mica  black  (smoothed)  Pilgrim  Rock,  Plymouth. 

1434  do  similar  to  the  last.  do 


Catalogue  of  Specimens.  677 

1435  Feldspar  Quartz  and  Mica,  fine  grained,  Acton. 

1436  do  chiefly  quartz,  Sudbury. 

1437  do  passing  into  porphyry,  Halifax. 

1438  Feldspar,  Quartz,  and  Talc  ?  Duxbury. 

1439  Feldspar  and  quartz,  perhaps  sienite,  Newbury. 

1440  Feldspar  Quartz  and  Mica,  approaching  to  sienite,  ap- 

parently stratified,  Worcester. 

1441  do  passing  into  mica  slate,  Norwich. 
144<?                         do                     do                                           Col  rain. 

1443  do  mica  black,  resembling  sienite,  (smoothed)  Dover. 

1444  do  fine  grained,  South  Hampton  Adit. 

1445  do  quarried,         do  Tyngsboroug'h. 

1446  do  do  Norwich. 

1447  do        wrought,  do  Dover. 

1448  do  mica  nearly  wanting,very  fine  grained,quar'd(smoothM)do 

1449  do  fine  grained  bowlder,  Amherst 

1450  do  quarried,  (smoothed)  Concord. 

1451  do  feldspar  reddish,  mica  scarcely  present,  (smoothed) 

1452  do  very  fine  grained,  decomposing  at  the  [Waltham. 

surface,  (smoothed)  Sharon. 

1453  do     quarried,  (smoothed)  (Chelmsford  granite)  Westford. 

1454  do        do  do  Fitzwilliam,  N.  H. 

1455  do         do  do  porphyritic,  Pelham,  N.  H. 

1456  do         do  do  Fitchburg. 

1457  do         do  do  Ashby. 

1458  do        do  do  Williamsburgh. 

1459  Feldspar,  Quartz  and  talc,  Dedham. 

1460  Feldspar,  Quartz,  and  mica  resembling  sienite,      Cumberland,  R.  I. 

1461  Feldspar  Quartz  Mica  and  Talc,     coarse,  bowlder,  Amherst. 

1462  Pseudomorphous  granite,  Williamsburgh. 

1463  Porphyritic  Granite,  Chester. 

1464  do  bowlder,  Shutesbury, 

1465  do    very  coarse,  Harvard. 

1466  do    fine  grained  feldspar  nearly  compact  bowl- 

der, (smoothed)  Turner's  Falls. 

1467  1468  do  feldspar  chiefly  compact  in  argillaceons  slate,  Guilford  Vt. 
1469  1470     Chiefly  compact  feldspar  and  quartz,     do  do 
1471  1472     Graphic  Granite,                                               Williamsburgh. 

1473  do  Leominster. 

1474  do  from  a  vein  in  quartz  rock,  Washington. 

1475  do  Goshen. 

1476  do  reddish,  bowlder,  Amherst. 

1477  1478  do  flesh  red,  from  red  sandstone,         Deerfield. 

1479  do  Warwick. 

1480  do  with  garnets,  Goshen. 

1481  Junction  of  Granite  and  Mica  slate,  Conway. 

1482  Vein  of  Granite  in  Mica  Slate,  do 

1483  do  do  Williamsburgh. 

1484  do  in  the  Worcester  County  Mica  slate,       Leominster. 

1485  Granite  at  its  junction  with  micaceous  limestone,  Conway. 

1486  Granite  with  a  nodule  of  mica  slate,  bowlder,         Deerfield. 

1487  1488     Laminated  and  Tabular  Sulphate  of  baryta,  Leverett. 

1489  Crystallized  calcareous  spar,  Lead  Mine,  Southamton. 

1490  Argentine,  Westhampton. 

1491  do  showing  its  junction  with  granite,  do 

1492  do  Lead  Mine,  Southampton. 

1493  1494  1495  1496     Crystallized  Quartz  ol  various 

colors,  Lead  Mine,  do 

86 


678 


Appendix. 


1497  Radiated  crystallized  quartz,  Southampton. 

1498  Purple  Quartz  in  granite.  Florida. 

1499  Crystallized  smoky  Quartz,  Goshen. 

1500  Massive  do  Williamsburgh. 

1501  Pseudomorphus  Quartz,  form  of  hogtooth  spar,       Westhampton. 

1502  do  form  of  fluate  of  Lime,  do 

1503  Hornstone  Lead  Mine,  Southampton. 
1504,  1505     Gray  and  greenish  Spodumene,                       Goshen. 

1506  do     light  rose  color.  do 

1507  do  green  and  translucent  do 

1508  do  white  and  pearly,          Sterling. 

1509  Straw  colored  Mica,  Tourmaline  locality,  Chesterfield. 

1510  do  in  distinct  crystals,  Goshen. 

1511  Rose  colored  Mica,         do  do 

1512  Prismatic  Mica,  Russell. 

1513  Variegated  prismatic  mica.  do 

1514  Black  mica,  do 

1515  Plumrose  Mica,  Williamsburgh. 
*  1547     Schorl  with  terminations,  in  granite,                    Chelmsford. 

1516  1517  Indicolite,  Goshen. 

1518  do         light  blue,  do 

1519  do        or  green  tourmaline,  do 

1520  Yellowish  Green  tourmaline,  do 

1521  Indicolite  embraced  in  green  tourmaline.  Chesterfield. 

1522  Green  red  and  blue  tourmalines,  do 

1523  Green  tourmaline  in  quartz,  do 

1524  do        enclosing  rubellite.  do 

1525  Limpid  Beryl  in  granite,  Goshen. 

1526  do  rose  red,  do 

1527  Massive  Beryl  with  spodumene,  do 

1528  do  do 

1529  Radiated  mineral  or  granite,  of  the  Zeolite  family: 

probably  stilbite, 

1530  Fibrous  Talc  ? 

1531  do? 

1532  Common  Feldspar, 

1533  Blue  do 

1534  Greenish         do 

1535  Siliceous          do 

1536  do 

1537  Foliated  silicious  Feldspar, 

1538  Silicious  Feldspar  coarsely  granular, 

1539  do   finely  granular, 

1540  Galena  in  Quartz, 

1541  do  with  Blende, 

1542  do  with  Carbonate  of  Lead, 

1543  Blende  in  Quartz, 

1544  Pyritous  Copper  in  Quartz, 

1545  Blende,  Galena,  and  Pyritous  Copper 

1546  Blende  decomposing  in  quartz, 

1547  Seethe  No.  following  No.  1515. 

1548  See  the  No.  following  No.  803. 

1549  See  the  No.  following  No.  774. 

1550  See  the  No.  preceding  No.  775 


Cleavlandite,  foliated, 
do 


do 
Norwich. 
Blanford. 
Williamsburgh. 
Leverett. 
Goshen. 
Chesterfield. 
New  Salem. 
Goshen. 
Chesterfield. 
Goshen. 
Southampton. 
Whately. 
Southampton. 
Northampton. 
Southamton. 

do 
Williamsburgh. 


GENERAL   INDEX. 


A. 

Page. 

Aboriginals,  their  geological  speculations,  -    203 

Adularia,         -  -  '        %  *J» 

Actynolite,        -  -  342,397,363,398 

Agates,         -  -  322344 

brecciated,  J^>  **J 

Alum  Hill,  -  77 

native,         -  -  «>  J44  &£ 

Allochroite,  '  -  *{» 

Alluvium,  5>  JJ 

of  rivers, 

of  the  coast, 

of  disintegration, 

of  degradation, 

-----  Ol|  191 

-  -  -  '          503,435 

-  -  311,31*371 

Amphibolic  mica  slate, 

Amygdaloid,  411 

Analcime,  •  347,  436 

Andalusite,  -  &l*  345 

Animals  in  Massachusetts,  Catalogue  of  543 

Animal  Fossil  in  new  red  sandstone, 

Anthophyllite, 

Anthracite,  its  geological  position, 

in  Rhode  Island  arid  Worcester, 

in  graywacke,         -  275 

in  new  red  sandstone,          '  - 
in  Portsmouth,  R.  I. 
in  Wrentham,  Middleborough,  &c. 
in  mica  slate, 
passing  into  plumbago, 
its  origin, 

Anthracitous  Mica  Slate, 
Arcade  in  Providence,  its  granite  pillars, 
Argentine, 

how  produced  in  Williamsburgh, 
Arenaceous  Mica  Slate, 
Argillaceous  Slute,  its  economical  uses, 

of  Worcester  County, 
of  Franklin  and  Berkshire, 

its  place  among  the  rocks,  -         286 

its  mineralogical  characters, 

dip  and  direction  of  its  strata,  289 

its  mineral  contents,          -  291 

associated  with  graywacke,         -  -        258 

its  agricultural  character, 
disturbances  among  its  strata, 
its  theory,         -  -  -    294 


680  General  Index. 

Argillo-micaceous  Slate, 

Argillaceous  Oxide  of  Iron,  -                                                    ,-  3^ 

Arsenical  Pyrites  57>  iy° 

Asbestus,     '  348 

inffr.ayWaCke''  » 

white  crystallized  in  Limestone, 
tV&C-  310,398,435 

B. 

Baldwin,  C.  C.  letter  from        - 

Beach  Grass  used  for  fixing-  sands,  20£ 

Beaumont  Elie  de  on  grapgite  and  anthracite,  '        287 

Beartown  Mountain™  *'  deVati°n  °f  mountai^  -         522,  539 

Belchertown  Granite, 

Bennington  iron  mine, 

Bernardston  iron  mine,  '  ?6 

Beryl,  .  -         54 

Bittr^r^^'  <*•**••  «        '  - 

Bituminous  Limestone  and  Marlite,  .  .     «f 

Blue  Hills,  .  230,  348,  462,  507 

Bog  Ore,  its  localities, 

petrefactions  in 

Boston  H 


row,--          ' 
Buhrstone  iA  Washington, 

its  origin,  .  _  , 

r* 

Calamites  in  new  red  sandstone,  OQo 

m  graywacke, 

Calcareous  Spar,  -         2§5 

Cape  Ann  Sienite,            .  "  52»  436 

scenery  of  "       15 

Cape  Cod,  scenery  of            .                 .  ^ 

clay  cliffs  upon             -  "    35. 

Carbonate  of  Magnesia  and  Iron  -  "        H 

of  Copper  •*  J 

CarnelionandCachobng,  .  '        226'  ^ 

Caverns  and  Fissures 
in  Berkshire/ 
Cascade  in  Leverett 

CentralCl^o^1"^-.  ™ 

Cha  basic,  .    '  516 

Chalcedony  436,  461 

Chatham  Bea.h  ^  upon  ;he  '    .  W  371,  399,  4K 

Chelmsford  Granite, 

lo 


Chiastolite  •        265 

Chlorite,  291 

*  -  f543 


General  Index.  681 

Chromate  of  Iron, 

Chrysoberyl,  503 

Chrysoprase,  '  «j  J* 

Cinnamon  Stone,  50,  310 

Clays  Variegated,  -      184 

Clays  used  for  Fuller's  Earth,  «>8 

for  making"  alum,          -  • 

as  a  manure, 
Cliffs  at  Gay  Head, 
Cleavelandite, 

Climate  formerly  tropical  in  New  England, 

Cobalt,  Arsenical,  -         381 

Coal  in  new  red  sandstone,  "     **£ 

its  varieties,          -  -  42 

Columns  of  Greenstone  on  Holyoke,        -  -      80,  407 

at  Titan's  Pier, 
in  Deerfield, 

Columnar  Argillaceous  Iron  Ore, 

Compact  feldspar,  -    443 

Concluding  Remarks,  "1,  £»» 

Concord  Granite,     -  1? 

Concretionary  Carbonate  of  Lime, 
Conglomerated  Mica  Slate, 
Contortions  in  Rocks,  how  produced 

Copper,  veins  of  in  Greenfield  and  Granby,  Ct.        -  62 

carbonate  of  and  pyritous, 

muriate  of  -  508 

native  and  carbonate  of  and  pyritous, 
<&c.  in  new  red  sandstone, 
&c.  veins  of  in  new  red  sandstone, 
Crabs,  Fossil  at  Gay  Head, 
Cranston,  R.  I.,  Iron  Ore  in 

Crocodile's  Tooth,  Fossil  at  Gay  Head,  !93 

Crustacea  in  Massachusetts,  Catalogue  of  563 

Cumberland,  R,  I.  Iron  mine  in  •  54 

Cummingtonite, 
Cyclopteris  in  graywacke,  -     285 

D. 

Danas  Messrs,  assisted  by  -  3 

Davy,  Sir  Humphrey,  his  chemical  theory  of  the  earth,  -        517 

Dedham  Granite, 
Deerfield  Mountain, 

Deluge  of  Noah,  how  probably  produced, 

Deluges,  Ancient  -  •     537 

Dewey,  Prof,  assistance  from,       ... 
Deweylite, 

Diabase,  -  ...  409 

Diluvial  Current  in  Massachusetts,  its  direction, 

proofs  that  it  was  southerly,  152,  159 
elevations  and  depressions, 
bowlders  or  rocking  stones, 
grooves  in  the  rocks, 

Diluvium,  how  produced,  -  •  141 

of  Plymouth  and  Barnstable,  -  I43 

of  Cape  Ann,  ...  147 

of  Worcester  County,  -  -       148 

of  the  Connecticut  Valley, 

of  Hoosac  Mountain  and  Berkshire,  150,  156 

on  Mount  Tom,  -  •  155 

on  Mount  Toby,  -  -  159 

in  Europe  and  Asia,  .  -  •  166 

its  mineral  contents,  -  -  •  170 


682  General  Index. 

Diluvium,  its  organic  remains,                                           .  171 

its  stratification,                -                 .                .  169 

its  agricultural   character,                 -                .  6 

Dionite,                .                                 -  409 

Dip  and  direction  of  the  strata  of  Plastic  Clay,  196 

of  new  red  sandstone,                                 •  219 

ofgraywacke,        -  271 

of  argillaceous  slate,                                 -  289 

of  quartz  rock,         -                 -  322 

of  mica  slate,                ...  337 

of  talcose  slate,                 -                             -  358 

of  Hornblende  Slate,                 -                -  380 

of  gneiss,                                            -             -  390 

Direction  of  the  Strata,  Map  of,                                                  -  523 

Divine  Benevolence,  proofs  of  from  geology,                    -  247 

Dolerite,                 -     '                                                              .  409 

Dunes  or  Downs,  ...  .7 

how  formed,                 .  130 

E. 

East  and  West  System  of  Strata,  534 

Economical  Geology  of  Massachusetts,  1,  3 

Elevation  of  Mountains  and  Systems  of  Strata,                  -  522 

Emmons,  E.  Prof,  his  Catalogue  oi  Birds,             •                 -  545 

his  sketch  of  Strata,  in  Chester,            -  330 
Epidote,                                              -                                 346,  398,  438 

Equisetum  in  graywacke,                 .                 -                 •,  284 

Eternity  of  the  globe  considered,                -                             -  401 

F. 

Fall  River  Granite,  15 

Falls,  Turner's                            -                                  -  99 

South  Hadley  and  Shelburne,           -                -                -  101 

Sphicket,                                                                      -                -  102 

in  Fall  River,             -  103 

Pawtucket,                                       -s  102 

Canaan,  Ct.         -  104 

Fasciculite,        -                                                                  -                .  363 

Feldspar,  green     -  -        398,  461 

blue  and  siliceous,                                                -                 -  506 

Fetid  Limestone  at  West  Springfield,          -                -  214 

Fibrolite,                                                                       -                -  345 

Fishes  in  Massachusetts,  Catalogue  of                 -                -  553 

additional,           -               -  605 

Fitchburg-  Granite,       -  -  -  -  -     16,  17 

Flinty  Slate,  -  .  .262 

Fluor  Spar,  .  .  283,  343,  461,  502 

Fluvial  Theory,  -•      .      .        -        -        .         141,164,518 

Fowlerite,  or  ferro-silicate  of  manganese,                                         -  344 

Fucoides  in  new  red  sandstone,                                        -            -  233 

in  graywacke,                          ....  284 

G. 

Gadolinite,                                                        ...          .  310 

Galena  argentiferous,                             ....  348 
Garnet,                                                     .            .            312,  346,  398,  507 

Garnetiferous  Mica  Slate,         -                          -  327 

Gay  Head,  its  scenery,                .....  9J) 

Girardin  on  central  heat,               .....  517 

Gneiss,  its  agricultural  character,             -                      -            -  11 

its  use  iu  architecture,               ...  18 

quarries  of  in  Massachusetts, 19 

how  it  differs  from  granite,             -  382 

its  mineralogical  characters,                 -                          .  383 

granitic,                         383 


General  Index.  683 

Gneiss,  schistose,  laminar,  porphyritic,  amphibolic  and  epidotic,  384 

augitic,  anthophyllitic  arenaceous  and  talcose,       -  385 

its  topography,         -                             -                         -  385 

dip,  direction,  &c.  of  its  strata,                                     r  390 

curvatures  in  its  laminae,         -  391 

its  mineral  contents,         ...                         .  395 

its  theory,          -  400 

Gold,  native,         -         -  459,  65,  ^QQ 

and  silver,  idle  search  after,         ...  68 

Gorge  or  Glen,  Leyden,                                -               -               -  102 

Gorgonia,  fosil,         -            ....            .             .  238 

Gould,  Dr.  A.  A.  his  Catalogue  of  Crustacea,        -  563 

Granite,  its  agricultural  character,         -                          *             -  13 

its  use  in  architecture,         ...  .  -13 

how  split,                -              -  17 

its  price  when  wrought,                        -            -            -  17 

defined,                                                                .             .  455 

its  mineralogical  characters,  466 

common,  pseudomorphous  and  porphyritic,              -  466 

porphyritic,                                            .             .            ...  455 

graphic,          -                                      -            -            -  467 

its  topography,                                                               .  469 

its  pseudo- stratification,                                                    .  473 

its  veins  and  protruding  masses,             -                -  473 

sketches  of  its  veins  &c.  in  Conway  and  Blanford,  475 

in  Westminister  and  Nowich,  476 

in  Norwich,  477 

in        do  478 

in  Norwich  and  Conway,  479 

in  Russell,                                 -  480 

in  Ackworth,  N.  H.  481 

in  Chester  and  Chesterfield,  482 
in  Williamsburgh  and  Granville,  483 

in  Chesterfield,  484 
in  Ct.  Shutesbury  and  Conway,    485 

in  Chester  and  Williamsburgh,  486 
in  Whately,  Newport  &  at  G.Head,487 

in  West  Hampton,  4gg 
in  Southampton  and  Shutesbury,  489 

in  New  Bedford  and  Fairhaven,  490 

do                    do  491 

do  andTolland,  492 

in  Williamsburgh,                 -  493 

in  Whately,  494 

in  Conway,         -  495 

in      do             .  -  496 

in      do  497 

in     do    and  Goshen,  493 

in      do  499 

in  Goshen  and  Norwich,  500 

in  Colrain,  501 

its  mineral  contents,  501 

its  theory,                                                                           .  509 

Graphic  Slate,                                                                                  .  35 

Graphite,  ,  .  4^395 

Gray  Copper,                                                                                   .  390 

Graywacke,  its  agricultural  character,                                       -  9 

its  economical  uses,                                                  -  33 

defined,                                                                           .  248 

its  peculiarities  in  Massachusetts,  249 

its  mineralogical  characters,  251 

conglomerated,  252 

brecciated,                                               .                .  255 

quartzose,                             -                .                -  256 

talcose,                ....  257 


684  General  Index. 

Graywacke,  classical,  857 

slaty,            -  •         258 

amphibolic,  -            259 

limestone,  2fl7 

its  topography,  2g§ 

dip,  direction  &c.  of  its  strata,  271 

section  in  at  Newport,  2-74 

its  mineral  contents,  -      275 

its  theory,  -              2g5 

Green  River  a  change  in  its  bed,  137 

Green  Sand,  185 

Greenstone,    its  agricultural  character,  12 

its  uses  in  architecture,  20 

porphyritic,  used  for  ornament,  21 

defined,  4<)4 

its  mineralogical  characters,  4()5 

columnar,  ;    •            406 

porphyritic  and  amyg-daloidal,  410 

concreted  and  tufaceous, 

ita  topography,                                                 i.J*"  412 
its  position  with  respect  to  other  rocks, 

its  veins  or  dykes,  419 

its  chemical  effects  upon  other  rocks,  429 

its  mineral  contents,  ,.     -            433 

its  theory,  -          439 

in  new  red  sandstone,  when  protruded,  243 

H. 

Harris,  Dr.  T.  W.  assistance  from,                          -,  -:  •         544 

his  catalogue  of  Insects,              -  -            566 

Hawley  Iron  Mine,                                -  -                53 

Height  of  Hills  around  Boston,                 .                -,   ~        -  85 

Hentz,  Professor,  his  Catalogue  of  Spiders,  -                  564 

Hematite,  iron  ore,            -            -                                 -  56,  323 

Heulandite,                                                             •  -                347 

Holyoke,  mount,  78 

Hornblende  cryetalized,  •  ^        363 

Hornblende  Slate,  its  agricultural  character,  -               11 

used  for  flagging  stones,                 .  -        20 

Dr.  Macculloch's  view  of,  -                373 

its  mineralogical  characters,  -              374 

porphyritic,                 -  -             375 

its  topography,  377 

dip  and  direction  of  its  strata,  380 

its  mineral  contents,               -  -.  •    <        381 

its  theory,             -  .381 

Rock,                -  -           375 

Hornstone,  503 

Hubbardston,  copperas  manufactured  in,  -            53 

Huttonian  Theory,                                                -  515 

Hydrate  of  Iron,  178,188,296,396 

Hypersthene,                                                           •  -            461 

I. 

Icthyolites  in  new  red  sandstone,  -                 236 
Ice,  how  it  removes  bowlders, 

floods,  their  excavating  power, 

Idocrase  in  Worcester,                 -  .  346 

Indicolite,                         -  504 

Inscription  on  Quartz  rock,                                 •  "               121 

Insects,  Catalogue  of  in  Massachusetts,               -  566 

lolite,  507 

Iron,  native,  347 

carbonate  of,  52,  348,  362 


General  Index. 


685 


Iron,  micaceous  oxide  of, 
sulphate  of, 
Red  Oxide  of, 
vitreous,  black  oxide, 
sand, 

ore  its  agricultural  character, 
chromate  of, 
phosphate  of, 
sulphuret  of, 
magnetic  oxide  of, 
arsenical, 
its  manufacture  in  Massachusetts, 

J. 

Jasper  used  for  ornamental  purposes, 
at  Saugus  and  Newport, 
in  Quartz  Rock, 

K. 

Karinthin,  -  -  "*  • ' 

Kidd's  money,  foolish  notions  respecting 

L. 

Landscapes  accompanying  the  Report, 
Lathrop  Solomon,  his  account  of  fossils, 
Laumonite, 

Lead  ore  of,  in  Southampton, 
in  Northampton, 
in  Westhampton, 
in  Goshen, 
in  Whately, 
in  Hatfield, 
in  Leverett, 
in  Sterling, 
sulphuret,  carbonate,  sulphate,  molybdate,  murio- 

carbonate  and  phosphate  of 
Zinc  and  iron  in  new  red  sandstone, 
Lenox  iron  mine  in, 
Lepidolite, 
Lignite, 
Limestone,  its  agricultural  character, 

in  the  eastern  part  of  the  State, 

micaceous  its  analysis, 

fetid,  1 

encrinal  of  Bernardston, 

bituminous, 

magnesian, 

flexible,  '    - 

of  Berkshire, 

in  Blanford, 

in  Whitingham,  Vt. 

in  Bolton,  Boxborough,  Littleton,  Acton, 

Carlisle  and  Chelmsford, 
in  S;nithneld,  R.  I. 
in  Walpole, 

in  Stoneham  and  Newbury, 
its  origin  or  Theory, 
Lincolnite, 

M. 

Macculloch's  Views  of,  Geology, 
System  of,  Geology, 
87 


349 
349 
343 
507 

-      230 
10 

53,  369 
53 

52,  396 

53,  359 
52,348 

57 

50 
266 
323 

-  410 

70 

108 
239 

437,  461 

•   507,58 

508,  58 

60,508 

60 

60,  508 

61,  462 
61,  507 
52,348 

507 

230 

56 

461,  437 

43,  186 

10 

24 

305,  25 

,  301,  309 

27,  295 

27,  295 

300 

301 

28,267 

-  305 
308 

24,  308 

24,  311 

24,  267 

24,  312 

313 

399,  437 

373 
374 


General  Index. 

Magnetic  Oxide  of,  iron,  .  .          296,  347,  359,  363,  399 

Made,                 .                 .                 .                 .  .               291 

Maiden,  vein  of  iron  ore  in,             .  .                   55 

Mamillary  argillaceous  iron  ore,  .                .      190 

Mammalia,  Catalogue  of,  in  Mass.               .  .                .    544 

Manganese  Oxide  and  Bisilicate  of,                 .  .                361 

in  Plainfield,                 .  .    63 

in  Conway,                 •                 •  •                 .64 

in  Hinsdale,  N.  H.                .  .                 .          64 

in  Winchester,  N.  H.                 .  .                 .64 

earthy  oxide  of,  how  produced,  .                •     123 

oxide  of  in  mica  slate,                 .  .                  344 

Map  Geological  of  Mass,  how  constructed,  .                 2,  113 

Marble  of  Berkshire,                 .                 .  .            P    •          28 

Marl,                ...  .  38 

how  produced,                          .                 •  •                120 

Market  House,  Boston,  its  granite,                 .  .                 .16 

Martha's  Vineyard,  iron  ore  in,            *    .  >  .                .         57 

scenery  of,                . ...  .                 .          98 

Mather  Cotton  ore  fossil  bones,                 .  .                 .205 

Meridional  System  of  Strata,  the  Oldest,  .                .         525 

the  Largest,  .                .  •     530 

Metals  and  their  Ores  in  Mass.                 •  •            [    .          51 

Metallic  Veins  and  beds  their  origin,                 .  .               520 

Mica  Slate  its  agricultural  character,                .  .                11 

its  economical  uses,                 •  .                •        23 

its  mineralogical  characters,                 .  .         326 

staurotidiferous,  amphibolic,  garnetiferous  and  spang.  327 

argillo  micaceous  and  arenaceous,  .                 328 

anthracitous,  plumbaginous,  and  conglomerated,        329 

indurated,  ....      330 

its  topography,                 .                 .  •              331 

of  Worcester  Valley,             .  .                 .333 

dip,  direction,  &c.  of  its  strata,  .                .   337 

contortions  in,                 ...  338 

reins  of  segregation  in,                 .  .                  341 

its  mineral  contents,                 .  .                 .      342 

its  theory,                 .                 .  .                 .      349 

Mica,  crystalized,  prismatic  and  plumose,  .                .      504 

Micaceous  Oxide  of  Iron,                .                .  ...      359,433 

Mineral  Rods,                 .                 .                 •  ...  t,            .68 

Waters,                                                  .  .                .49 

Miscellaneous  Items,  ....        520 

Molybdenum  Sulphuret  of,                 .                 .  .              397 

Monomoy  Beach  its  gain  upon  the  sea,                 .  .           128 

Monument  Mountain,                 .                 .  t                .77 

Hill,  Quincy,                                  .  £ .                 .85 

Mosaic  Chronology,  how  reconciled  with  geology,  .          165 

Moshop,  Indian  Giant,                .                 .  .            204,  205 

Mounds  in  the  Western  States,  not  artificial,  .                 168 

Mount  Hope  Bay,                .                .                .  "•*.   "         94 

N. 

Nahant,                .                .                .                .  95 

Nantasket  Beach,              .                .                .  -..._.            96 

Nantucket  iron  ore  in,               ..  ;                .57 

its  scenery,                 .                 .  •                 .98 

Narraganset  Bay  its  scenery,               •  94 


General  Index,  687 

Native  alum,  .  .  .  .  342, 397 

arsenic,  .  .  .  .  .191 

gold,  .  .  .  359,459 

copper,  .....  433 

Nauset  Beach,  its  gain  upon  the  sea,  .  .  .        128 

Nephrite,  .....  311,312 

Nevropteris  in  graywacke,  .  .  .         284 

New  Bedford  seen  from  its  harbor,  ...  94 

New  red  sandstone,  its  agricultural  character,      .  .  8 

its  uses  and  quarries,         .  .  .35 

in  the  Connecticut  Valley,  .  .        206 

proofs  of  its  occurrence  there,         .  .     207 

its  mineralogical  characters,        .  " .        209 

its  topography,  .  .  .216 

of  New  York,  Nova  Scotia,          .  .        217 

of  New  Jersey,  .  .  .529 

its  dip,  direction,  and  thickness,         .  .219 

its  mineral  contents,         .  .  .    225 

its  theory,  .  .  .241 

Noachian  Delug-e,        .  .  .  142,  166 

Nodular  argillaceous  iron  ore,  .  .  188 

Northeast  and  Southwest  System  of  Strata,  .  .  531 

Northwest  and  Southeast  Do.  .  .  .     535 

Nuttallite,  .....  284 

O. 

Ochres,  their  localities  and  uses,  .  .  .58 

Ochrey  Brown  Oxide  of  Iron,  ....     190 

Old  Red  Sandstone,  whether  it  exists  in  Massachusetts,  207 

Ophicalce  Grenue,         .  .  .  .  .312 

Organic  Remains,  in  plastic  clay,  .  .  .  191 

in  new  red  sandstone,  •  .  232 

in  graywacke,  .  .  .  284 

Orthocera  in  new  red  sandstone,  .  .  .         237 

Osseous  Conglomerate,  .  ,  .  186 

Oxide  of  manganese,  how  produced,  .  .  123 

of  tin,       .  509 

P. 
Pargasite,  ......     310 

Part  IV.  .  .  ,  .         543 

Peat,  its  localities  and  uses,       ....  39 

its  extent  in  Nantucket,  .  .  .  1 19 

theory  of  its  production,          .  .  .  .118 

Pecopteris  in  graywacke,  .  .  .         284 

Pelham,  (N.  H.)  granite  in  .  .  .16 

Peliom,  :  399,  507 

Petalite,  lithia  in  .  .  .  .  50 

in  limestone,  .  .  .  .  310 

Phosphate  of  lime,  .  .  502,  343, 310,  396 

of  manganese,         ....  569 

Pimelite,         .  .  .  .  .  .372 

Finite,  .....  345,  503 

Pisiform  argillaceous  iron  ore,  .  .  .  190 

Plants  in  Massachusetts,  Catalogue  of  .  .     599 

Plastic  Clay,  its  history,  .  .  .  .184 

its  mineralogical  characters,  ,  ,  184 

its  organic  remains,          .  .  .  191 

its  mineral  contents,  .  .  .  188 

dip,  direction,  thickness,  of  its  strata,  &c.  .         196 

its  theory,  ....  202 

on  the  Vineyard,       .  ,  .  .184 

on  Nantucket,  ....     197 

in  Truroand  Duxbury,  .  .  .199 


688  General  Index. 

Plumbaginous  mica  slate,         .                 .  32'J 

Plumbago,         .                 .                .  .                .                47,  395 

generally  associated  with  gneiss,  .                 .             397 

Porcelain  Clay,              .                .                 .  .                 .36 

its  agricultural  character,  ,                 .               12 

Porphyry,  its  use  for  ornaments,                   .  .                 .20 

sienitic,           ....  21,453 

black  and  green,  21 

defined,        .                .                .  .                .442 

its  mineralogical  characters,  .                 .                 .     443 

compact  feldspar,        .  .  .      443 

antique,                     .                 .  .             445 

brecciated,                   .                 .  446 

its  topography,  ....     447 

its  geological  position,                 .  ,                .448 

its  mineral  contents,                 .  449 

its  theory,  450 

Potter's  Clay,              .  37 

Prehnite,         .                .                 .            '  ',                         434 

Price  of  wrought  and  unwrought  granite,  .                .*               .17 

Primitive  Greenstone,  .         375 

Prismatic  Iron  Ore,                     .  '  178 

Pseudo-stratification  of  sienite,             .  .                .                456 

of  granite,               .  .                 \            473 

Purgatory  in  Sutton,                     .  .                .         106 

in  Newport,  R.  I.  .     107 

Pyritous  Copper,             .  225, 462 

Pyrope,        .                                .                .    '  .                .           398 

Q. 

Quartz,  crystalized,  yellow,  rose  red,  &c.  .                .                343 

and  pseudo-morphous.  .                .     461,  502 

and  yellow,  .                 .         31>9 

drusy,     .                 .  w                 .                 .372 

crystalized  in  geodes,        ....        435 

tubular,  smoky,  and  amethystine,  435 

fetid,           .                .  503 

radiated,        •  .             508 

crystals,  their  use,            .                ..  '                     .           51 

Rock,  its  agricultural  character,  .                .                 .11 

its  economical  uses,                  .  .                .          22 

granular,  used  as  buhrstoae,  .                .              41 

used  in  making  glass,  .                .          40 

its  place  among  the  rocks,  .                .     316 

its  mineralogical  characters,  ,                .         317 

its  topography,                      .  .             320 

dip,  direction,  &c.  of  its  strata, 

its  mineral  contents,             .  .            '  * .             323 

associated  with  graywacke,  .        256 

Quartzose  Breccia,             .  .318 

Conglomerate,               .  .                         319 

Quincy  Granite  or  Sienite,       .  .              14 

R. 

Radiaria  Fossil  at  W.  Springfield  tt'  .            240 

Radiated  Pyrites,           .  190 

Rattle  Snake  Hill,               .            "                *  *                    .77 

Ravine  of  Westfield  on  Agawam  River,         .  '                             .          8^ 

and  Gorge  of  Deerfield  river.  ;    .              90 

Red  Oxide  of  Copper,  <                226 

Report,  how  divided,                  .  .                3 

Reptiles  in  Massachusetts,  Catalogue  of  '  .        552 

Rhoetizite,          .  .                                .     345 

Richmond,  Iron  Ore  in  .          56 


General  Index.  689 

Rocks,  their  nomenclature,        .  .  r  .112 

their  supposed  changes  in  the  line  of  their  direction,  332 

Roof  Slate  in  Worcester  County, 

in  the  Connecticut  Valley,         .  .  .35 

in  Berkshire  County,  .  .  .35 

Rotten  Stone  in  West  Springfield,       .  .  .  .48 

Rubellite,  .  .  .  .  .505 

S. 

Saddle  Mountain,  .  .  .  74 

Salisbury,  Ct.  Iron  Ore  in  .  .56 

Sand,  white,  siliceous,  ....  185 

micaceous,  .  .  .  185 

green,  .....         185 

Sandstone,  gray  micaceous,       .  .  .  .212 

variegated,  ....  212 

brecciated,         ....  212 

columnar,  at  Titan's  Pier, 
Sandy  Neck,  its  gain  upon  the  sea.  .  .  .  129 

Sappare,         ...  .  345 

Sardonyx,  ......     435 

Satin  Spar,     .  231,  312 

Scapolite,  .  309,  346 

Rock,  its  agricultural  character,  .  .  10 

its  mineralogical  characters,  .  .  .    315 

Schorl,  .....        345,398,504 

Scientific  Geology  defined,  .  .  .  .3 

Part  III.  .  .  .  Ill 

Sea,  its  action  upon  the  coast,  .  .  .  124 

Section  at  Turner's  Falls,  ....         423 

in  granite  and  chalk  in  Saxony,          .  .  .    420 

and  sandstone  at  Heidelberg,         .  .        427 

Section  in  granite  and  clay  slate  in  Scotland,  .  427 

in  diorite  and  transition  schist  in  the  Hartz,          .  428 

in  basaltic  breccia  lias,  &c.  in  the  Suabian  Alps.  428 

in  greenstone  and  sandstone,  Mt.  Tom,  .         .        429 

in  Plastic  Clay,  .  .  .  197 

in  graywacke,  ...  •  274 

Sections  accompanying  the  Report,         .  .  .  523 

Selenite,  ...  .  .  191,430 

Septaria,  .  ,  .  .  .  .214 

Serpentine,  its  economical  uses,         ...  .39 

its  agricultural  character,  .  ,  10 

its  definition,  .  .  ,  .  365 

its  mineralogical  characters,  .  .  365 

its  topography  and  associations,  .  .         366 

its  Flora,         ...  368 

its  mineral  contents,          .  .  .371 

its  theory,  .  ...  372 

Shales,  .  .  .213 

Shark's  bones  and  teeth  at  Gay  Head,  .  .  194 

Sienite,  its  agricultural  character,         .  •  •  •  13 

its  use  in  architecture,  .  .  .13 

defined,  .  .  .  .  451 

its  mineralogical  characters,  .  •  452 

porphyritic         .  .  .  .  453 

conglomerated,  .  .  .  454 

augitic,         ...  .  .  454 

its  topography,  .  .  .  455 

its  pseudo-stratification,  .  .  •          456 

veins  in,  .  .  .  .  .  456 

its  geological  position,  .  .        ".  460 


690  General  Index. 

\ 

Sienite,  its  mineral  contents,                .            ...  461 

its  theory,                 .                .                 .                 .  462 

Siliceous  Slate,                 ....  262 

Silliman  Prof,  his  opinion  of  the  Connecticut  Valley,  239 

his  account  of  greenstone  near  Hartford.  429 

Silver  in  galena  at  South  Hampton,                 .  65 

Sketches  of  Scenery,           ...                 .                 .  108 

Smith's  Point,  its  gain  upon  the  sea,             .             .  .        129 

Dr.  David,  S.  C.  H.  his  Catalogue  of  Reptiles,  .         552 

Dr.  Jerome  V.  C.             do         of  Fishes,         .  553,  597 

Soils,  their  origin,                 ....  4 

Somerset  Vt.  iron  mine  with  native  gold  in,                     .  54 

Spangled  Mica  Slate,                .  327 

Specimens  of  Rocks  and  Minerals  for  the  Government,  3,  540 

Specular  oxide  of  Iron,             .                 .                .  449,508 

Sphene,  .  .  .  .310,  381,  398 

Spiders  in  the  United  States,  Catalogue  of,                    .  564 

Spinelle,            .    '.             .                .            .    .  a  310 

Spodumene,             .             .              v,* >,. '            ,<w<             .  50,503 

State  House,  view  from,                   .                   .                 .  92 

Staurotide,                ....  327,  345 

Staurotidiferous  Mica  Slate,             .                                  .  327 

Steatite,  its  agricultural  character,                  ."                  •  10 

its  localities  and  economical  uses,                 .  .          31 

other  facts  concerning  it,              .                 .  353,  371 

Stilbite,                .                .    >'            .            .            .  347,399 

Stratified  Rocks,             .               .  114 

Submarine  Forests  .  .  .  .117 

Sulphur  in  mica  slate,            .             .                 ,             /  ,  347 

Sulphuret  of  Iron,             ....  398 

Sulphate  of  Baryta,         .  .  501,  433,  231,  49,  462,  507 

of  Strontia,               .                 .             .                 .  232 

Sulphuret  of  Molybdenum,              .                 .             .  397,509 

Sunderland  Cave  and  fissure,           .                 .                 .  104 

Systems  of  Strata  in  Massachusetts,                 .                 .  525 

oldest  Meridional,             .             .  .       525 

the  Trap  System,                ".'  '             .  528 

latest  Meridional,                .„.-           .  .       530 

N.  E.  and  S.  W.  System,                   .  531 

E.  and  W.  System,              .                 .  534 

N.  W.  and  S.  E,  System,                   .  535 

T. 

Talc,            .                .            .                .            :V.  311,362 

and  Serpentine  their  relation,             .             .             ,  .         372 

Talcose  Slate,  its  agricultural  character,           .                 .  11 

its  economical  uses,                     .                 .  23 

its  definition,  .  .  .352 

its  mineralogical  characters,             .             .  353 

its  topography,                  .                 .         n''»  355 

dip,  direction,  £c.  of  its  strata,                 .  358 

1  its  mineral  contents,                 .                 .  359 

the  repository  of  Gold,             .                 .  360 

its  theory,                 ...  364 

Tellina^. fossil  at  Gay  Head,         .                 .  .196 

Tertiary  Formations,  their  agricultural  character, 

their  history,                .            .  172 


General  Index.  69 1 

Tertiary  Formations,  the  most  recent  in  Maes.        .  .          173 

position  &  thickness  of  its  strata,  175 
remarkable  disturbances  in,  174 
minerals  in,  .  178 

organic  remains  in,  182 

theory  of,  .  183 

Theory  of  Central  Heat,  •  •  &16 

of  causes  now  in  action,  •  •  •          518 

of  the  Elevation  of  Mountains,  .  .  538 

Tin,  oxide  of,  64,  509 

Titan's  Pier  ...  81, 431,  408 

Titanium,  red  oxide  of,  349,  363,  381,  398,  462 

ferruginous  oxide  of,  .  .  349 

silico-calcareous  oxide  of,  .  310,331,398 

Toby,  Mount,  .... 

Tom,  Mount,  .... 

Topaz,  .  •  •  •  503 

Tormaline,  green  and  red,  ...  505 

Topographical  Geology  defined,  • 

Trap  Conglomerate,  .  •  •  211,  417 

Trap  System  of  Strata,  .  •  •         530 

Tree,  fossil  in  new  red  sandstone,  .  .  234 

Tremolite,  .  ,  •  •  3(>4,  ™,  312 

Tremont  House,  its  granite, 

Tripoli  in  West  Springfield,  .  .48,  231 

Turbo  fossil  at  Gay  Head,  •  •  •  .196 

Turner's  Falls,  •  • 

Tynsborough  Granite,  .  .•  •  16 

U. 

United  States  Bank,  Boston,  its  granite,  .  .  16 

Unstratified  Rocks  defined,  .  .  .402 

their  origin,  .  .  .  403 

how  represented  on  the  Geological  Map,        404 

Useful  Rocks  and  Minerals  in  the  State,  .  .  13 

V. 

Valley  of  the  Connecticut,  .  .  .88,  132 

how  far  a  valley  of  excavation,          221 

of  Worcester,  .  .  .  .91 

of  the  Merrimack,  .  92 

Vallies  of  Berkshire,  .  .  .       87,  141 

how  formed,  ....  131 

terraced,  how  formed,  *  .  .  134 

of  denudation,  .  •  «  140 

Varioloid  Wacke,  ....  259 

Vegetable  remains  in  Plastic  Clay,  .  192 

Vegetation  early  on  the  Globe,  .  .  .       245 

Veins  in  new  red  sandstone,  .  •  •  425 

in  graywacke.  .  .  .  254 

in  quartz  rock,  ....  324 

in  mica  slate,  .  .  .  341 

in  sienite,  ....  456 

in  granite,  ....  473 

metallic,  their  origin,  &c.  .  .  520 

their  direction  and  dip,  .          521 

Venus  fossil  in  plastic  clay,  .  .  .  .196 

Verdantique,  .  .  •  .80 

Vermiculite,  ...  .  .  .399 


692  Genet  il  Index. 

Vertebra  of  animals  fossil  a    Gay  Head,  .  .1        192 

Volcanic  Agency  supposed  a    Gay  Head,  .  .       203 

V 

Wachusett  Mountain,  .  .  .84 

Wacke  varioloid,  ....  259 

Wacke,  .  .  .  .  .411 

Washington  Mount,  .  .  .  .76 

Mountain,  ...  77 

Water  Falls,  .  .  .  .  . '         99 

Webster,  Prof,  assistance  from,  ...  3 

his  account  of  trap  in  Charlestown,  .        429 

Wernerian  Hypothesis,  •  .  .  .515 

Westford  Granite,  .  .  .  .  16 

West  Stockbridge,  iron  ore  in,  .  .  56 

Williamsburgh  Granite,  ...  18 

Winchester,  (N.  H.)  iron  ore  in,  ...  .  54 

Worcester,  iron  mine  in,  .  .  52 

Y. 
Yenite,  .....  364 

Z. 

Zeolitic  Mineral,  .  .  /  399,436,507 

-Zinc,  sulphuret  of,  its  use,  .  .  .  52 

its  localities,  ,  63, 230, 348, 468,  507 

Zil>con,  .  .  .  .461 

Zoisite,  .....  283,346 

Zoophytes,  fossil  at  Gay  Head,  .  195 

at  West  Springfield,  .  .  .        237 


INDEX 


TO  THB 

GENERA    OP    ANIMALS    AND    PLANTS    IN    THE    CATALOGUES, 

JV.    B.      The  names  of  the  Animals   are  printed  in  Italics  :  those  of 
the  Plants  in  the  Roman  character. 

[Corrections,  if-c.  Sickness  rendered  it  necessary  to  commit  the  examination  of 
the  proof-sheets  of  a  part  of  the  preceding1  Catalogue  of  Plants  to  other  hands  ; 
and  some  errors  on  this  account  were  almost  unavoidable.  The  most  important  is 
the  insertion  of  parallel  lines  (il)  before  many  species.  These  have  no  meaning1, 
and  should  be  all  struck  out. 

I  have  recently  ascertained,  through  the  kindness  of  a  correspondent,  that  there 
is  a  place  near  Utica,  New  York,  by  the  name  of  Newport,  where  without  doubt 
trilobites  may  be  found.  Hence  the  remarks  on  pag-e  250,  upon  Brong-niart  and 
De  la  Beche's  statement  about  the  Calymene,  were  unfounded  and  needless. 

Professor  Emmons  informs  me,  that  he  has  recently  found  in  place,  in  the  moun- 
tains a  little  northeast  of  Williams  College,  the  peculiar  granite  described  on  pag-e 
159  as  scatterred  in  bowlders  over  Hoosac  Mountain  :  thus  furnishing1  a  confirm- 
ation of  my  suggestion  concerning  the  origin  of  this  rock,  and  rendering  it  proper 
to  mark  a  deposit  of  granite  in  that  region  on  the  Geological  Map  of  the  State. 

For  the  reason  mentioned  in  the  first  paragraph,  (sickness)  the  following  index 
will  not  be  found  in  all  the  copies  of  this  Report ;  since  it  was  necessary  for  the 
binder  to  proceed  with  all  possible  despatch,  in  order  to  fulfil  his  engagement  by 
the  specified  time  for  the  delivery  of  the  work.  As  such  an  index  would  be  partic- 
ularly serviceable  to  naturalists  who  might  wish  to  consult  the  Catalogues  in 
this  Report j  I  have  judged  it  best  to  insert  it  in  as  many  copies  as  possible.] 

Page  Page  Page 

Abramis,  597  Agrion,  585  Amphicarpa,  608 

Acalypha,  611  Agrostemma,  613  Amphicoma,  575 

Accipenser,  597  Agrostis,  631  Amphidesma,  555 

Acer,  611  Aira,  631  Anadonta,  558 

Acheta,  '  582  Alasmadonta,  557  Anarchicas,  598 

Achilla,  618  Alca,  551  Anagallis,  623 

Acnida,  614  Alcedo,  546  Anas,  551 

Acorus,  630  A  lector  ia,  642  Anatifa,  555 

Acrydium,  583  Aletris,  629  Anatina,  555 

Actsea,  602  Alisma,  627  Anchomenus,  567 

Actinia,  596  Allium,  629  Andrena,  589 

Acupalpus,  568Alnus,  610  Andromeda,  616 

Adianthum,  637  Alopecurus,  631  Andropagon,  631 

^Ecidium,  644  Alsine,  614  Anelastes,  571 

Mgeriat  591  Althsea,  604  Anemone,  602 

JEshna,  585  Aluteres,  597  Angelica,  601 

jEthusa,  601Amanita,  644  AnguUla,  597 

Agaricus,  644  Amara,  568  Anictangium,  638 

Agelena,  565  Amaranthus,  614  Anobium,  572 

Aglaoped,  591  Ambrosia,  618  Anomadon,  638 

Agonium,  567  Ammannia,  606  Anomalon,  587 

Agonoderus,  568  Ammi,  601  Anomia,  556 

Agrimonia,  606  Ampelopsis,  611  Anser.  550 
88 


694 


Index  to  tha  Catalogues. 


Amhemis, 

618 

Calopog'ou, 

623 

Anthicus, 

577                      B. 

Calo»oma, 

567 

Athoceros, 

641  Baeomyces, 

642  Caltha, 

602 

Anthoxanthum, 

631  Balaena, 

545  Campanula, 

617 

Anthrax, 

594  Balanus, 

554  Cancer, 

503 

Anthrenus, 

573  Ballota, 

625  Canis, 

544 

AnthribuSy 

577  Baptisia, 

608  Cantharellus, 

645,  616 

Antirrhinum, 

623  Barbarea, 

603  Cantharis, 

577 

Apargia, 

618  Bartramia, 

639  Caprimulgus, 

547 

Apate, 

578  Bartsia, 

624  Capsus, 

583 

Aphis, 

584  Batrachus, 

598  Caracolla,       , 

559 

Aphodius, 

574  Belostoma, 

584  Carabus, 

567 

Apion, 

577  Bembex, 

588  Cardamine, 

603 

Apios, 

608  Bembidium, 

568  Carc?iana5, 

597 

A  pis, 

589  Berberis, 

604  Cardita, 

556 

Aplectrum, 

627  Berytus, 

583  Cardium, 

556 

Apocynum, 

622  Betula, 

610  Carduus, 

619 

Aquilegia, 

602  Bibia, 

593  Carex, 

634 

Arabia, 

603  Bidens, 

619  Carpinus, 

610 

Aradus, 

583  Blasia, 

641  Carya, 

611 

Aralia, 

601  Blatta, 

582  Casnonia, 

566 

Arbutus, 

616  Blenniua, 

598  Cassia, 

608 

Area, 

556  Blitum, 

615  Cassida, 

580 

Arctia, 

591  Boehmeria, 

609  Castor, 

544 

Arctium, 

618  Boletus, 

645  Castanea, 

609 

Arctomys, 

544  Bomb  us, 

589  Catharinea, 

639 

Arcyria, 

644  Bomby  cilia, 

547  Catocala, 

592 

Ardea, 

549  Bombylius, 

594  Caulinia, 

630 

Arenaria, 

613  Bomby  x, 

591  Caulophyllum, 

604 

Arethusa, 

628  Bootia, 

607  Ceanothus, 

611 

Argynnis, 

589  Boros, 

575  Celastrus, 

611 

Aristida, 

631  Borrera, 

642  Celtis, 

609 

Armadillo, 

564  Botrychium, 

637  Cemonus, 

588 

Aronia, 

607  Bovista, 

645  Cenomyce, 

642 

Arrhenatherum, 

632  Brachinus, 

566  Centaurea, 

619 

Arrhenopterum, 

639  Branchipu*, 

564  Centaurella, 

606 

Artemesia, 

618  Bracon, 

587  Centronotus, 

598 

Arthonia, 

642  Brassica, 

603  Ccphalanthus, 

621 

Arvicola, 

544  Brentus, 

577  Cephus, 

586 

Arum, 

630  Briza, 

632  Cerambyx, 

579 

Arundo, 

632  Bromus, 

632  Cerastium, 

613 

Asarum, 

606  Brosmus, 

598  Ceratina, 

589 

Ascalaphus, 

585  Bruchus, 

577  Ceratocampa, 

591 

Ascaris, 

596  Bryum, 

639  Ceratophyllum, 

616 

Asclepias, 

622  Buccinum, 

557  Cerceris, 

588 

Asilus, 

594  Bufo, 

552  Ceropales, 

588 

Asparag-ue, 

629  Bulla, 

556  Centra, 

591 

Aspidium, 

637  Bunias, 

603  Cerylon, 

578 

Asplenium, 

637  Buprestis, 

569  Cerrw5, 

545 

Astacus, 

563  Buxbaumia, 

639  Cetomo, 

575 

Astarte, 

560  Byrrhua, 

573  Cetraria, 

642 

Astate, 

588  Byturus, 

573  Chalcis, 

587 

Astemma, 

583 

Chara, 

641 

Aster, 

618                     C. 

Charadrius, 

549 

Asterias, 

596  Cactus, 

605  Chaulioides, 

585 

Ateuchus, 

574  Cakile, 

603  Chelidonum, 

602 

Atragene, 

602  Calandra, 

578  Chelone, 

624 

Atriplex, 

614  Calathus, 

567  CAefcmws, 

587 

Attacus, 

591  Calepterex, 

585  Chenopodium, 

615 

Attelabiis, 

577  Calicium, 

642  Chimaphila, 

617 

Atlus, 

565  Calla, 

630  Chionea, 

593 

Auchenia, 

580  Calleida, 

566  CAtton, 

556 

Avena, 

631  Callimorpha, 

592  Chlaenius, 

567 

Azalea, 

616  Camtriche, 

616  Chlamys, 

580 

Calobata, 

593  Chrysanthemum, 

619 

Index    to  the  Catalogues. 


695 


Chrysis, 

Chrysomda, 

Chrysops, 

Chrysospleniurn, 

Chrysototus, 

Cicada, 

Cichorum, 

Cicindela, 

Cicuta, 

dm  ex, 

Cimbex, 

Cinema, 

Cinna, 

Circaea, 

Cis, 

Cistcla, 

Cistua, 

Clavaria, 

Claytonia, 

Clerus, 

Clythra, 

Clupea, 

Coccinella, 

Clematis, 

Clethra, 

Climacium, 

Clinopodium, 

Clisiocampa, 

Clivina, 

Clostera, 

Clubiona, 

Cnicus, 

Coccus, 

Coccyzus, 
Cochlearia, 

Coelioxys, 

Colaspis, 

Colias, 

Collema, 

Coluber, 

Columba, 

Columbella, 

Collinsonia, 

Colymbetev, 

Colymbus, 

Comarum, 

Comptonia, 

Condylura, 

Conferva, 

Conium, 

Conops, 

Convallaria, 

Convolvulus, 

Conyza, 

Copris, 

Coptis, 

Corallorhiza, 

Corbula, 

Coreopsis, 

Coreus, 

Corixa, 

Cornicularia, 

Cornus, 
Corvus, 
Corydalis, 
Conjdali*, 


587  Corylus, 
581  Cossonus, 
593  Cossus, 

605  Coitus, 
598  Crabo, 
584  Crangon, 
619  Crantzia, 
566  Crassina, 
601  Crataeg-us, 
583  Cremastochilus, 
586  Crenilabris, 
555  Crepidula, 
632  Crioceris, 

606  Grotalus, 
578  Crotalaria, 
576  Cryptocephalus, 

613  Cryptophagus, 
645  Cucubalus, 

614  Gucujus, 
572  Cuculus, 
580  Culex, 
597  Cupes, 
582  Cuphea, 

602  Cupressus, 
616  Curculio, 
639  Cuscuta, 
625  Cyathus, 
591  Cyclas, 

567  Cyclopterus, 
591  Cychrus, 
565  Cymbidium, 
619  Cymindis, 
584  Cynoglossum, 
546  Cynthia, 

603  Cyperus, 
589  Cyprtno, 
581  Cyprinus, 
589  Cypripedium, 
642  Cypselus, 
552  Cythi'rta, 
549 

557  I>- 

625  Dacnc, 
568  Dactylis, 
551  Dalibarda, 
607  Danaus, 
610  Danthonia, 
544  Dasychina, 
648  Daptus, 

601  Dascillus, 
594  Dasytes, 
629  Datura, 
<122  Daucus, 
619  Dedalea, 
574  Delphinus, 

602  Dendarus, 
628  Dendroides, 
555  Dentaria, 
619  Dcrmestes, 

583  Dianthus, 

584  Dicaclus, 
642  Diaperis. 
621  Dicksonia, 
547  Dicranum, 
S04  Didymodon, 

585  Diervilla, 


609  Digitaria, 
578  Dilophus, 
591  Dioscorea, 
598  Diphyscium, 
588  n 


649 

8SS3T" 

?5  Dircaea, 
rqo  Discopleura. 

556  " 


552  Dorcatoma, 
608  I^onada, 
580  Draba, 
573  Dromius, 
614  Drosera, 
578  Dryocampa, 
516  Dryops, 
593  Uulichium, 
572  Dysdtra, 
606  Dyticus, 
628 

E. 

"^  Echensis, 
^fo  Echinus, 
KQQ  Echium, 


567 

627 

566 

626  Eleusine, 

590  Elmis. 

636  Elodes, 

555  Elophorus, 

597  Elyraus, 

628  Ewiberiza. 

547  Encalypta, 

560  Endomyckus, 
I^ndocarpon, 
Enopliuin, 


Q  Epeolus, 
2  Epiblemum, 


568  Epilobium, 
571  Epipactis, 
571  Epiphagus, 
624  Equisetum, 
601  Erebus, 
645  Erigeron, 
545  Eriocaulon, 

575  Eriophorum, 

576  Ervum, 
603  Eryginaum 
^•J  Erythronium, 


^g  Eucknemis, 
g^  Euchroraa, 
639  Eumolpus, 
^39  Eupatorium. 


632 

593 

630 

639 

639 

587 

618 

606 

576 

601 

561 

565 

572 

580 

603 

566 

613 

591 

573 

636 

565 

568 


598 

596 

626 

567 

576 

570 

632 

573 

571 

573 

632 

548 

639 

582 

642 

572 

565 

585 

589 

565 

616 

605 

628 

623 

637 

592 

619 

630 

609 
,603 
630 
597 
570 
624 
581 
619 
611 


696 


Index  to  the  Catalogues. 


Eurytoma, 

Eusirophus, 

Evania, 

Evernia, 

Exocetus, 


Faenus, 

Facus, 

Falco, 

Felts, 

Feronia, 

Festuca, 

Fiber, 

Filaria, 

Filistata, 

Fissidens, 

Fistularia, 

Fistulina, 

Flata, 

Fontinalis, 

Formica, 

Fragraria, 

Fraxinus, 

Fringilla, 

Fucus, 

Fulgur, 

Fulica, 

Fuligo, 

Fuligula,) 

Fumaria, 

Funaria, 

Fusus, 

G. 

Gadus, 

Galega, 

Galeopsis, 

Galerila. 

Galeruca, 

Galium, 

Galleria, 

Gammarus, 

Gastropacha, 

Gaultheria, 

Geastrum, 

Genista, 

Gentiana, 

Geoglossum, 

Gcometra, 

Geotrupes, 

Geranium, 

Gerardia, 

Gerbillus, 

Germ, 

Geum, 

Glancopis. 

Glaux, 

Glechoma, 

Gloniura, 


587  Glyceria, 

632  Houstonia, 

622 

576  Glycine, 

608  Hudsonia, 

613 

586  Gnaphulium, 

619  Humulus, 

609 

642  Gomphus, 

585  Hydera, 

573 

597  Goodyera, 

628  Hydnum, 

646 

Graph  is, 

642  Hydrocanlhus, 

569 

Grapsus, 

563  Hydrocotyle, 

601 

586  Gratiola, 

624  Hydropeltis. 

603 

609  Grimmia, 

639  Hydrophilus, 

573 

546  Gryllotalpa, 

582  Hydrophyllum, 

626 

544  Gryllus, 

582  Hydrophoru*, 

569 

567  Grus, 

549  Hyla, 

552 

632  Gulo, 

544  Hylaeus, 

589 

544  Gymnostomum, 

640  Hylurgus, 

578 

596  Gyrinus, 

569  Hyoscyamus, 

624 

565  Gyromia, 

629  Plyphydrus, 

569 

639  Gyrophora, 

642  Hyoseris, 

620 

598  Gyropodium, 

646  Hypericum, 

604 

645 

Hypnum, 

640 

584                      H. 

Hypoglossus, 

598 

639  Habenaria, 

628  Hypopeltis. 

637 

587  Haliplus, 

569  Hypopitbys, 

617 

607  Haltica, 

581  Hypoxis, 

627 

623  Hamamelis, 

605  Hypulus, 

576 

548  Harpalus, 

568  Hyssopus, 

625 

648  Hedeoma, 

625  Hysterium, 

643,  646 

562  Hedwigia, 

638  Hyslnx, 

545 

550  Hedysarum, 

608 

645  Helenium, 

620                        I. 

551  Helianthemum, 

613  Ichneumon, 

587 

604  Helianthus, 

619  Icteria, 

547 

639  Helix, 

558,  652  Icterus, 

546 

557  Hdluo, 

566  Ictodes, 

630 

Helonias, 

629  Idotaea, 

564 

Helops, 

576  Ilex, 

616 

597  Helotium, 

646  Impatiens, 

612 

609  Helvella, 

646  Inula, 

620 

625  Hemerobius, 

585  Jps, 

573 

566  Hepatica, 

602  Iris, 

627 

581  Hepialus, 

591  Isanthus, 

625 

621  Heracleum, 

601  Isnardia, 

605 

593  Herminia, 

592  Iva,' 

620 

564  Herpyllus, 

565 

SQlHcsperia, 

590                       J. 

616  Heleroctrus, 

573  Juglans, 

611 

646  Hibiscus, 

604  Juncus, 

628 

608  Hieraciura, 

620  Jungermannia, 

641 

622  Hierochloa, 

632  Juniperus, 

626 

646  Himantia, 

646 

592  Himantopus, 

550                     K. 

574  Hipparchus, 

590  Kalmia, 

616 

Ql^Hippa, 

563  Koeleria, 

632 

624  Hirundo, 

547  Krigia, 

620 

544  Hispa, 

580 

584  Hister, 

572                     L. 

607  Holcus, 

632  Labrus, 

598 

591  Hordeum, 

632  Lactuca, 

620 

623  Hottonia, 

623  Lacophilus, 

569 

625  Hoplia, 

575  Lacuna., 

557 

646  Horia, 

577 

Index  to  the  Catalogues. 


G97 


Lagria, 

Lamia, 

Lamium, 

Lampyris, 

Languria, 

Lanius, 

Laphria, 

Larmia, 

Larra, 

Larus, 

Lasicopa, 

Lathyrus, 

Latridius, 

Laurus, 

Lebia, 

Lecanora, 

Lechea, 

Lecidea, 

Lecontia, 

Ledum, 

Leersia, 

Leiodes, 

Lemania, 

Lemna, 

Lcontice, 

Leontodon, 

Leonorus, 

Leotia, 

Lepas, 

Lepidiura, 

Lepraria, 

Leptandra, 

Leptura, 

Lepus, 

Leskea, 

Lespedeza, 

Lestes, 

Leuciscus, 

Leucodon, 

Leucospis, 

Liatris, 

Libellula, 

Libinia, 

Licea, 

Ligusticum, 

Ligustrum, 

Lilium, 

Limacodes, 

Limenitis, 

Limnetis, 

Limosella, 

Limulus, 

Lindernia, 

Linnaea, 

Linum, 

Linypkia, 

Liriodendron, 

Listera, 

Litliosia, 


576  Lithospermum, 

626  Menyanthes, 

622 

579  Lixus, 

578  Mephitis, 

544 

625  Lobelia, 

617  Mergus, 

551 

571  Locust  a, 

583  Merisma, 

646 

581  Lolium, 

632  Merlangus, 

598 

547  Lonicera, 

621  Merulius, 

646 

594  Lophanthus, 

625  Melhoca, 

588 

580  Lophius, 

598  Midas, 

594 

588  Loxia, 

549  Mikania, 

620 

550  Lucanus, 

575  Miliura, 

633 

616  Lucina, 

555  Mimetus, 

565 

608  Ludwigia, 

605  Mimulus, 

624 

578  Lupa, 

563  Miris, 

583 

604  Lupinus, 

608  Miscus, 

588 

566  Lulra, 

544  Mitchella, 

621 

643  Luzula, 

629  Mitella, 

605 

590  Modiola, 

556 

642  Lycogola, 

646  Mollugo, 

614 

630  Lycoperdon, 

646  Momordica, 

617 

616  Lyopodium, 

638  Monarda, 

625 

632  Lycopsis, 

626  Monedula, 

588 

576  Lycopus, 

625  Monotoma, 

578 

648  Lycosa, 

565  Monotropa, 

617 

631  Lyctus, 

578  Morchella, 

646 

604  Lycus, 

571  Mordella, 

577 

620  Lygaeus, 

583  Mormon, 

551 

625  Lygodium, 

637  Morus, 

609 

646  Lymnaea, 

558  Mucor, 

647 

555  Lysimachia, 

623  Muhlenburgia, 

632 

603  Lythrum, 

606  Mullus, 

598 

643 

Muracna. 

598 

624                     M. 

Mus, 

544 

580  Macroglossa, 

590  Muscicapa, 

547 

545  Macronychus, 

573  Muse  a, 

594. 

640  Maclra, 

555  Murex, 

557" 

008  Madrepora, 

596  Mustella, 

544 

585  Magnolia, 

604  Mulilla, 

588 

597  Malachius, 

571  Jtfyfl, 

555 

640  Malaxis, 

628  Mycetophagus, 

578 

587  Malva, 
620  Mantispa, 

604  Mycrostilis, 
585  Mycterus, 

628 
570 

585  Marchantia, 

641  Myodocha, 

583 

563  Margaritia, 

592  Myosotis, 

626 

646  Marrubium, 

625  Myrica, 

611 

601  Medicago, 
623  Medusa, 

608  Myriophyllum, 
596  Myrmica, 

605 

587 

630  Megachila, 

589  MyWus, 

556 

591  Megatoma, 

573 

590  Melampus, 

562                     N. 

634  Melampyrum, 

624  JVafiw, 

583 

624  Melandna, 

576  Naemaspora, 

647 

564  Melasis, 

570  Najas, 

630 

624  Meleagris, 

549  Jfassa, 

557 

621  Melitaea, 

589  Nalica, 

556 

613  Mellinus 

588  Nautilus, 

557 

565  Meloe, 

577  Nebria, 

567 

604  Melolonlha, 

574  Neckera, 

640 

628  Membracis, 

584  Necrobia, 

572 

592  Menispermum, 

604  Necrodes, 

572 

Mentha, 

625  Necrophorus, 

572 

693 


Index  to  the  Catalogues. 


Necydaiis, 

579  Oxybelus, 

588  Picus, 

Nvmotelus 

593  Oxycoocus, 

616  Pimpla, 

Neottia, 

628  Oxyporut, 

956  Pinnotheres, 

Nepa, 

584 

Pinus, 

Nepeta, 

625                       p 

Piptatherum, 

Nephroma 

643 

Pisum, 

557  Paederus, 

569  Planorbis, 

Nicandra, 
Nidularia, 

624  Pas;uruf, 
647  Palaemon, 

563  Plantago, 
563  Platanus, 

Nilidula, 

573  Paludina, 

558  Plalessa, 

Noctua, 

592  Panax, 

601  Platycerus, 

589  Pandora, 

55  5  Platypleryx, 

Nothiophilus, 
Notodonta, 

567  Panicum, 
591  Panorpa, 

585  Pleuronectes, 

Notonecta, 
Notoxus, 

584  Parandra, 
577  Parietaria, 

679  Plochionui, 
609  Ploiaria, 

Nucula, 

556  Parmelia, 

643  Poa, 

Jvumenius, 
Nuphar, 
Nymphaea, 

550  Parnassia, 
603  Parus, 
603  Paspaluro, 

605  Podiccps, 
548  Podophyllum, 
633  Podostemum, 

Nyssa 

606  P&talu*, 

575  Pogonia, 

Nysson, 

533  Pastinaca, 

601  Polygala, 

Patella, 

556  Polygonum, 

• 

Patrobus, 

567  Polyommatus, 

Ocypode, 

563  Paxylloma, 

586  Polypodium, 

Odntaeus, 

574  Pecten, 

559  Polypogon, 

(Edemera, 

576  Pectinaria, 

554  Polyporus, 

(Enothera, 

650  Pedicia, 

593  Polytrichum, 

CEstrus, 

594  Pedicularis, 

624  Pompilus, 

Oletera, 

565  Pelecinus, 

586  Pontederia, 

Omalisus, 

571  Peltidea, 

644  Pontia, 

Omophron, 

567  Pemphredon, 

588  Populus, 

Oniscus, 

564  Penthorum, 

614  Porina, 

Onitis, 

574  Penstemon, 

624  Portulacca, 

Onoclea, 

638  Penlatoma, 

583Por/una, 

Onopordon, 

620  Perm, 

598  Potamogeton, 

Onosmodium, 

626  Perdix, 

549  Pothos, 

Onthophagus, 

574  Per/a, 

585  Potentilla, 

Oodes, 

567  Petricola. 

555  Pragmites, 

Ophioglossum, 

638  Petromyson, 

597  Prenanlhes, 

Ophion, 

587  Peziza, 

647  Prinos, 

Orchesia, 

576  Phalaris, 

633  Prionus, 

Orchis, 

628  Phaleria, 

576  Proctotrupes, 

Orgyia, 

592  Phallus, 

647  Procyon, 

Ornithomyia.. 

594  Pkanaeus, 

574  Proserpinaca, 

Orobanche, 

623  Phaseolus, 

608  Prunella, 

Orontium. 

630  Phengodcs, 

571  Prunus, 

Orsodachne, 

580  Philanlhust 

589  Psamma, 

Orthotrichum, 

640  Phleum, 

633  Pselaphus, 

Oryssus, 

586  Phoca, 

544  Psilus, 

Oryzopsi.5, 

633  Pholas, 

555  Psychemorpha, 

O  merus, 

597  Pholcus, 

565  Ps'ocus, 

Osmia, 

589  Phrygaena, 

586  Pterigynandrum, 

Osmunda, 

638  Phryma, 

625  Pteris, 

Ostracion, 

597  Physa, 

562  Pterogoriium, 

Ostrea, 

556  Physalis, 

624  Pleraphorus, 

Ostrya, 

610  Physarum, 

647  P/erowa/wv, 

Otiocerus, 

584  Physodactylus, 

571  Pleromis, 

Oxalis, 

612Phytolacea, 

QlSPlilinus, 

Ptinus, 

546 

587 
563 
626 
633 
608 
558 
617 
610 
598 
575 
592 
588 
598 
566 
584 
633 
551 
603 
615 
628 
612 
615 
590 
938 
633 
647 
640 
588 
629 
589 
610 
644 
614 
563 
630 
930 
607 
632 
620 
616 
579 
587 
544 
606 
625 
607 
633 
569 
587 
592 
586 
641 
638 
641 
593 
587 
545 
571 
571 


Index    to  th*  Catalogues. 


699 


Plychoptera, 

593                      S. 

Serropalpus, 

576 

Pulex, 

594  Sabbatia, 

622  Seserinus, 

598 

Pupa, 

559  Sagina, 

614  Sesia, 

590 

Purpura, 

557  Sagittaria, 

627  Setaria, 

633 

Pycnanthemum, 

Pygaera, 

625  Salamandra, 
591  Salda, 

552  Sialis, 
583  Sicyos, 

585 
617 

*JA  ^ 

Pyralis, 

592  Salicornia, 

615  Sida> 

604 

A  4  j 

Pyrenula, 

643  Salix, 

610  Sflene, 

614 

Pyrochroa, 

516  Salmo, 

rg7  oi/fanwj, 

578 

Pyrola, 

617Salsola, 

615  ®lu™> 

597 

Pyrula, 

557  Sambucus, 

QQQ  Smapis, 

603 

Pyrus, 

607  Samolus, 

CC>Q  Silpha, 

572 

Pytho, 

576  Sanguinaria, 

602  S*rex> 

586 

Q. 

Sanguinolaria, 
Sanjruisorba. 

rrr-  Sison, 
ooo  _.       ' 
6Qg  Sistrotrema, 

602 
647 

Quercus, 
Queria, 

609  Sanicula, 
614Saponaria, 

6Qj  Sisymbrium, 
614  Sisyrinchinum, 

603 
627 

Quiscalus, 

547  Sapyga, 

5f!8  ??"*» 

548 

R. 

Sargus, 
Sarothra, 

rq«j  Oium, 
604  Smerinthus, 

602 
590 

Rac  odium, 

647  Sarracenia, 

613Smilax, 

629 

Raia, 

553  Saturnia, 

5qi  Smyrnium, 

602 

Rallus, 

550  Saxicava, 

560  Solanum, 

625 

Ramalina, 
Rana, 
Ranalra^ 

644  Saxicola, 
552  Saxifraga, 
584  Scalaria, 

548  Solea, 
605  Solecurtus, 
562  Solemya, 

598 
555 
555 

Ranella, 
Raniceps, 
Ranunculus, 
Raphanus, 
Reduvius, 
Regulus, 

557  Scalops, 
598  Scttphinotus, 
602  Scaphidium,) 
603  Scarabatus, 
584  Scarites, 
548  Scheuchzeria, 

rAA  Solcn* 
™  Solenia, 
^  Solidago, 
r^  Sonchus, 
^!^  Sorbus, 
°^J  Sorear, 

555 
649 
620 
621 
607 
544 
630 

Rembui, 
Rhamnug, 
Rhexia, 

567  Schoenus, 
611  Schollera, 
606  Sciara, 

SQ  SPectrum> 
629  Spergula, 
593  Spermoedia, 

582 
614 
647 

Rhinanthus, 

624  Scirpus, 

636  Sphaeria, 

647 

Rhinaria, 

577  Seirtes, 

571  Sphaeridium, 

574 

Rhincops, 

550  Sciurus, 

544  Sphaerococcus, 

649 

Rhipiphorus, 

577  Scleranthus, 

614  Sphaeroderusy 

567 

Rhinomacer, 

757  Scleria, 

636  Sphagnum, 

641 

Rhingia, 

594  Scleroderma, 

6  47  Spartina, 

634 

Rhizomorpha, 

647  Sclerotium, 

647  Sphasus, 

565 

Rhododendron, 
Rhodora, 
Rhombus, 
Rhus, 

616  Schrophularia, 
616  Scolia, 
598  Scolopax, 
612  Scomber, 

624  Sp/iear, 
588  Sphinx, 
550  Sphyracephala, 
598  Spiraea, 

588 
590 
594 
607 

Rhynchaenus, 

578  Scorpaena, 

rQo  &plTOTQl3m 

554 

CrW 

Rhynchites, 
Rhynchospora, 

577  Scotinus, 
636  Scraptia, 

577  Spongia, 

Qr-i/-\\-i  rrin 

OD/ 
596 

Ribeg, 

605  Scuttlla, 

CQ/J  opongia. 

Oi/O     QI           •»» 

r  s»O 

Riccia, 
Robinia, 
Ropalocerus, 

641  Scutellaria, 
608  Scutellera, 
581  Scyllium, 

®P?  Stachys, 
J°^  Staphylea, 

563 
626 
611 
569 

Rosa, 

607  Scymnus, 

^^^  Statice, 

618 

Rubus, 

607  Segestria, 

' 

5o5  stellaria, 

614 

Rudbeckia, 

620  Seleche, 

cn^y 

&y7  Stemonitis, 

648 

Rumex, 

615  Senecio, 

620  Stenolophus, 

568 

Ruppia, 

631  Serpicula, 

627  Stenostoma, 

564 

Rulda, 

574  Serpula, 

554  Stenw, 

569 

700 


to  the  Catalogues. 


Stereocaulon, 

644  Tiphia, 

588  Usnea, 

644 

Sterna, 

550  Tipula, 

593  Utricularia, 

623 

Sticta, 

644  Tornatella, 

556  Uvularia, 

630 

Stigmus, 

588  Torpedo, 

597 

Stipa, 

634  Tortrix, 

592                      V. 

Stratiomys, 

593  Torymus, 

587  Vaccinium, 

617 

Strepsilas, 

549  Totanus, 

550  Vallisneria, 

627 

Streptopus, 

629  Trachys, 

570  Valvata, 

652 

Strix, 

546  Trematodon, 

641  Vanessa, 

590 

Scruthiopterig, 

638Tremella, 

648  Variolaria, 

644 

Sturnus, 

546  Tremex, 

586  Velia, 

584 

Sitccinea, 

559  Trichia, 

648  Velutina, 

556 

Sula, 

551  Tricfiius, 

575  Venus, 

555 

Sylvia, 

548  Tricocephalus, 

596  Veratrum, 

629 

Syngnathus, 

597  Trichochloa, 

634  Verbascum, 

625 

Syrtis, 

583  Trichodium, 

634  Verbena, 

625 

T. 

Trichostema, 

626  Vernonia, 

621 

Tabanus, 

593  Trichostomum, 

641  Veronica, 

624 

Tachinus, 

569  Tricupsis, 

634  Verrucaria, 

644 

Taenia, 

596  Trientalis, 

623  Vespa, 

589 

Taiiprus, 

563  Trifoliuua, 

609  Vespertilio, 

544 

Tanacetum, 

621  Trigla, 

598  Vibrio, 

596 

Tanagra, 

548  Triglochin, 

631  Viburnum, 

622 

Tax  us, 

627  Trillium, 

629  Vicia, 

609 

Tegenaria, 

565  Tringa, 

550  Villarsia, 

622 

Telcphorus, 

571  Triostura, 

622  Viola, 

612 

Tellina, 

555  Triphora, 

628  Vireo, 

547 

Tenebrio, 

575  Triplax, 

581  Vitis, 

611 

Tenthredo, 

586  Tripoxylon, 

588 

Tephrosia, 

609  Trisetum, 

634                     W. 

Terebella, 

554  Triticum, 

634  Weissia, 

641 

Teredo, 

555  Tritoma, 

581  Woodsia, 

638 

Termes, 

585  Trochilus, 

548  Woodwardia, 

638 

Testudo, 

552  Trogosita, 

578 

" 

Tetrao, 

549  Troglodytes, 

548                     X. 

Tetragnatha, 

565  Trox, 

574  Xanthium, 

621 

Tetraodon, 

597  Trygon, 

597  Xtnos, 

593 

Tetraphis, 

641  Tubercularia, 

648  Xiphydria, 

586 

Tetrix, 

583  Tubulina, 

648  Xippius, 

598 

Tettigonia, 

584  Turbo, 

557  Xyela, 

586 

Teucrium, 

626  Turdus, 

547  Xyletinus, 

572 

Thalictrum, 

602,  649  Turritella, 

557  Xylocopa, 

589 

Thanasimus, 
Thelephora, 

572  Tussilago, 
648Typha, 

621  Xyloma, 
630  Xylophagus, 

648 
593 

Thereva, 

594 

Xylosteum, 

622 

Theridium, 
Thesium, 

565                      U. 

606  Udora, 

Xylostroma, 
627  Xylota, 

647 
594 

Thlaspi, 

603  Vleiota, 

579  Xyris, 

627 

Thecla, 

590  Ulmus, 

609     ' 

Thomisus, 

565  Uloma, 

575                     Y. 

Thrips, 

584  Ulva, 

649  Yponomeuta, 

593 

Throseus, 

571  Unio, 

557 

Tkymalus, 

573  Uniola, 

634                     Z. 

Thymus, 
Thyreus, 

626  Upis, 
590  Uralepsis, 

575  Zanthoxylum, 
634  Zelus, 

612 

584 

Thyris, 

591  Uranoscopus, 

598  Zeus, 

598 

Tiarella, 

605  Uraspermum, 

602  Zizania 

634 

Tilia, 

604  Uredo, 

648  Zostera 

631 

Timmia, 

641  Uria, 

551  Zyffaena, 

597 

Tinea, 

593  Ursus, 

544     ' 

Tingis, 

583  Urtica, 

609 

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